Andrew Lendnal

Explore heuristics in behavioral finance, their impact on income, spending, and investing, and strategies to mitigate biases for better financial decisions.

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A recent Financial Planning article by Tobias Salinger highlights findings from the CFP Board’s multi-year study tracking the real-world impact of holistic financial planning. The results are compelling: clients working with CFP® professionals report stronger trust, higher satisfaction, greater financial confidence and even improved financial preparedness compared to those working with non-CFP advisors or no advisor at all. As Wealthcare President Matt Regan comments in the article, these outcomes “shouldn’t surprise anyone” who believes comprehensive wealth management is simply a better way to serve clients. When conversations center on life goals, values and risk tolerance, not just stock picks, the results speak for themselves. The industry continues to move beyond investment-only advice toward a more holistic, planning-driven model. And clients are responding. The study also reinforces something we’ve long believed: transparency, education and deep client relationships matter. Referrals, clear pricing and strong credentials rank far above advertising in influencing clients’ decisions to hire an advisor. At Wealthcare, we’re proud to champion comprehensive financial planning that prioritizes clarity, confidence and long-term wellbeing. Read the full article to explore the findings and see Matt’s insights. https://lnkd.in/eFRWVZbv

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Controversy Heats Up as AVM Rule Deadline Approaches With the CFPB’s Final AVM Rule just months away, the industry is under pressure—and a new whitepaper is stirring debate on how AVMs should be tested and regulated. In this issue of AVMNews: • Testing Under Fire – A controversial take on benchmarking, listing data, and AVM vs. appraisal • Cotality introduces consumer AVM disclosures • Quantarium appoints Chief Strategy Officer • GTCR LLC invests in Clear Capital Plus: 12+ new research abstracts exploring machine learning, explainability, and predictive modeling in real estate. AVMNews remains the definitive source for professionals who build, regulate, rely on, or evaluate #AVMs. Stay informed. Stay ahead. https://lnkd.in/g8WJBJZP #AVM #qualitycontrolstandards

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Behavioral finance is about designing systems that make the good decision the easy decision. That’s where defaults, nudges, and automation become powerful tools for advisors. Consider where you can introduce smart defaults in your practice: 🔹 Auto-enrolling clients into goal-based savings plans with the option to opt out. 🔹 Suggesting default contribution levels tied to income bands. 🔹 Setting up automated rebalancing and cash sweeps so staying invested and diversified is the “path of least resistance.” When your tech platform supports these features, you’re not just telling clients what they should do – you’re quietly building better behavior into the experience itself. Clients still have control, but they can be less likely to drift into inaction or emotional decisions. https://bit.ly/4qK2F0D

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Season 4 of The Blueprint | FPA NexGen® Podcast is here — and our theme this year is simple but powerful: Ignite. In this kickoff episode, Mike Zarrelli, CFP®, EA and Alison Miller, CFP® explore the habits and mindset shifts that help early-career financial planners accelerate their growth. One insight that stood out: “Sometimes the biggest career breakthrough comes from doing the uncomfortable thing—asking the question, proposing the idea, or putting yourself in the room where you feel least experienced.” Throughout the conversation we discuss: ◾Why getting involved in the Financial Planning Association (FPA) can transform your confidence ◾How creating content helps advisors develop their professional voice ◾Why asking questions early in your career is a competitive advantage ◾The underrated skill of receiving feedback well For anyone in their first decade in financial planning, this episode is packed with practical career advice you can start applying immediately. If you’re looking for ways to ignite your career growth, this episode is a great place to start. 🎙 Produced by Jadah Riley Check out the podcast here 🎧: Apple Podcasts: https://hubs.li/Q046yy4G0 Spotify: https://hubs.li/Q046ymsT0 YouTube: https://hubs.li/Q046ytYq0 Amazon: https://hubs.li/Q046ytC-0

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Most people don’t delay financial planning because they’re irresponsible. They delay because they’re unsure. Unsure what they don’t know. Unsure what mistake might cost them. Unsure whether they’re actually “on track.” And underneath all of that uncertainty sits a quiet question most professionals rarely say out loud: “Will this actually be enough?” In my recent conversation on the Make Life Less Taxing podcast, I sat down with Michael Mandarino, founder of 123 Investing, to unpack what’s really driving financial hesitation and what shifts when clarity replaces fear. Michael’s journey is powerful. From serving as an Army officer overseas to building a faith-aligned advisory practice, his perspective isn’t transactional. It’s relational. It’s grounded. It’s about stewardship. What stood out most in our conversation wasn’t tactics. It was a mindset. We talked about: • Why financial planning is a lifelong process, not a one-time event • The emotional weight people carry when they don’t fully understand their finances • Why underinsurance quietly becomes a long-term liability • The danger of reacting to markets instead of responding with intention • Why retirement isn’t about hitting a magic number, it’s about sustainable cash flow and peace of mind One of the most powerful themes was this: Money doesn’t create happiness. But how you manage it can absolutely create peace. When families move from reactive decisions to intentional planning, something shifts. Stress lowers. Conversations improve. Confidence grows. The focus moves from “What if?” to “We’re prepared.” And that shift is bigger than returns or performance charts. It’s about freedom. Freedom to step away from work on your terms. Freedom to bless others. Freedom to stop checking the market every day. Freedom to build a legacy rooted in purpose instead of pressure. If you’re a business owner, advisor, or professional who wants deeper clarity, not just surface-level strategy, this episode will resonate. No hype. No product talk. Just a grounded conversation about stewardship, mindset, and building a financial life that aligns with your values. You can listen to the full episode here: https://lnkd.in/eJdySAEU Let me know your biggest takeaway once you’ve heard it.

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The CFP Board convened its new AI Working Group for the first time and is set to deliver a report by year’s end. Meanwhile, the world hasn’t stopped turning and firms have begun taking the initiative to form their own AI policies. #artificialintelligence #ai #wealthmanagement https://bit.ly/4kIpbo1

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Confidence matters—and plan design plays a role. New research suggests participants invested in target-date funds feel more confident, less stressed, and more engaged in their retirement planning than those who aren’t. When combined with PSCA data showing continued growth in TDF usage and assets, the findings reinforce why default design and simplified investment solutions remain central to participant outcomes. This article explores what the confidence gap may mean for plan sponsors and fiduciaries: https://lnkd.in/e4JiReky #RetirementPlanning #PlanSponsors #RetirementSolutions #SimplifiedInvesting

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