When Cerulli Associates released their U.S. Advisor Metrics 2025 report this month, one message stood out loud and clear: financial planning—not product distribution—is now the growth engine of the wealth management industry. Across the United States, advisors are doubling down on comprehensive, client-centred planning. On average, each advisor now offers seven distinct services, of which … Continue reading 🌍 Total Wealth Planning™ on the Rise: U.S. Advisors Validate the Global Shift Toward Holistic Advice
Tag: personal-finance
Most financial plans are built on products, not purpose
Yesterday, during our CPD Masterclass The Structurally Trustworthy Architect, a new member challenged me when I said, “Most people’s financial plans are built on products, not purpose.” He was adamant that good financial planners—like him—do factor in human capital strategies when building lifetime cashflow plans. I said, “Then you’re the first financial adviser I’ve met … Continue reading Most financial plans are built on products, not purpose
Introducing the AI GAME Plan™: Democratising Total Wealth Planning for Everyone, Everywhere
For 15 years, the GAME Plan has been the backbone of how we help people design lives of purpose, security, and freedom. Until now, it’s mainly been delivered through one-to-one work, workshops, and courses. Today, that changes. The AI GAME Plan is now live — a fully guided, AI-powered experience that helps anyone, anywhere, in … Continue reading Introducing the AI GAME Plan™: Democratising Total Wealth Planning for Everyone, Everywhere
Calling All Financial Planners: It’s Time to Reskill as a Total Wealth Planner
The financial world is changing fast — and so must you.If you’re a financial planner still focused on products and portfolios, it’s time to invest in yourself. The future belongs to Total Wealth Planners — professionals who help people plan their lives, not just their money. Here’s why this shift isn’t optional — it’s your … Continue reading Calling All Financial Planners: It’s Time to Reskill as a Total Wealth Planner
White Paper | From Hidden Credit Lines to Hidden Owners
How UK Banks Manufactured Defaults and Profited Through Unregulated SPVs Executive Summary This white paper reveals a hidden architecture within British banking that converts human distress into financial yield. Beneath the surface of ordinary mortgages and small-business loans lies a complex network of concealed credit lines, manufactured defaults, and unregulated securitisation vehicles. Together, these mechanisms … Continue reading White Paper | From Hidden Credit Lines to Hidden Owners
“Earn While You Learn” or “Sell While You Serve”? What the New LIBF Apprenticeship Pathway Really Means for Financial Planning
A new “degree apprenticeship” route into financial advice has just been launched by the London Institute of Banking & Finance (LIBF) and Future Financial Adviser (FFA). It promises an appealing blend of “earn while you learn” opportunities, government-funded qualifications, and a fast track to chartered status. At first glance, it seems like a welcome move … Continue reading “Earn While You Learn” or “Sell While You Serve”? What the New LIBF Apprenticeship Pathway Really Means for Financial Planning
Key lessons for Holistic Wealth Planners
Here are the key lessons for Holistic Wealth Planners drawn from Essays on the Economics of Human Capital (Lucia Rizzica, UCL 2013) — translated from academic economics into the context of AoLP’s human-centred planning philosophy: 1. Aspiration Is an Economic Asset The UK “Widening Participation” study showed that raising non-cognitive traits such as aspiration and … Continue reading Key lessons for Holistic Wealth Planners
The Real Value of Advice: Why We Don’t Charge by the Pound of Assets Under Management
“If your worth is measured by the market, you’ve already sold your soul to it.” Across the financial advice industry, one number continues to dominate — 1%.Whether your wealth grows or falls, the adviser’s fee remains tethered to it. The Citywire Top 100 Firms 2025 and FCA data show the same pattern: ongoing charges clustered … Continue reading The Real Value of Advice: Why We Don’t Charge by the Pound of Assets Under Management
AoLP Blog: “Let’s Get the Debate Over With”: You’re all doing financial planning wrong.
You’re all doing financial planning wrong.When one person stands against the crowd, it’s easy to dismiss them as difficult, disruptive, or wrong. But what if that one person simply sees the truth differently? For years, I’ve been that “annoying guy” in your feed saying the financial planning industry has lost its way. It’s not about … Continue reading AoLP Blog: “Let’s Get the Debate Over With”: You’re all doing financial planning wrong.
Fee-for-No-Service: The Hidden Consumer Duty Crisis — and the Rise of AI-Empowered Financial Planning
By Steve Conley, Academy of Life Planning For the first time since records began, the number of clients receiving ongoing financial advice in the UK has fallen.According to new FCA data, advisers switched off ongoing services for 335,286 clients in 2024, a dramatic spike from the previous year. Headlines attribute this to the Consumer Duty.But … Continue reading Fee-for-No-Service: The Hidden Consumer Duty Crisis — and the Rise of AI-Empowered Financial Planning
Academy of Life Planning 