* TD Ameritrade Institutional Expands Effort to Help Develop Next Generation of Financial Planners
* Firm to Award $25,000 Grant for Emerging Degree Program, $50,000 Grant for Established Program
* Ten $5,000 Scholarships for Students Pursuing Degree in Financial Planning
JERSEY CITY, N.J., May 14, 2014 –When it comes to helping cultivate a new generation of independent investment advisors, TD Ameritrade Institutional (1) is raising the bar by introducing a new grant for colleges and universities committed to educating future financial-planning professionals.
Through its Next Generation Financial Planning Scholarship and Grant Program, TD Ameritrade Institutional will give $25,000 to a college or university with a nascent financial-planning undergraduate degree program. This new grant will be in addition to two awards introduced last year: 10 scholarships of $5,000 each for students pursuing a bachelor’s degree in financial planning and a $50,000 grant for an established financial planning undergraduate degree program.
The scholarships and grants are intended to help increase the number of college students graduating with a financial planning degree and who will pursue a career as a personal financial advisor. Over the next decade, TD Ameritrade Institutional is committed to investing more than $1.25 million to encourage more students to pursue financial planning careers and help fill the ranks of registered independent advisors (RIAs), an industry expected to face a shortage of talent as a wave of baby boomers prepare to retire.
Schools seeking a grant must be accredited, non-profit U.S. colleges or universities offering an undergraduate degree in financial planning. The application deadline for both grants is June 2, 2014 and the winners will be named on September 8, 2014. Students’ applications for the scholarships also are due by June 2; winners will be selected August 4, 2014.
For more information, applicants can visit the TD Ameritrade Institutional NextGen Scholarship & Grant website: http://www.tdainstitutional.com/lp/nextgen-scholarship.page
“Last year, we encountered schools with financial planning degree programs that were promising and innovative, but still in their infancy. So, in addition to recognizing schools with exceptional programs, we want to support institutions that are just starting out,” said Tom Nally, president, TD Ameritrade Institutional. “This scholarship and grant program can help increase colleges’ capacity to develop a new generation of advisors and sustain the industry’s growth into the future.”
Industry research shows that the RIA industry could face a significant talent gap in coming years. About a third of Baby Boom-era advisors are expected to depart over the next decade, mostly as they reach retirement age, and there aren’t enough young advisors to take their place. Nearly half of RIAs are 55 and older, while less than 8 percent are under 35 years of age.
Across all the various financial intermediary channels — brokerages, banks, insurers and independent RIAs — the total number of advisors is expected to shrink by 26,000 by 2017. (2)
Meanwhile, demand for personal advice is expected to climb as millions of Americans move into retirement and seek out professional expertise. The U.S. Labor Department’s Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 27 percent job growth for personal financial advisors through 2022, nearly three times the rate of all other professions, making it one of the fastest-growing career fields. (3)
Recruiting the next generation isn’t just good defense for RIA firms, but may be a path to future growth. Hiring young advisors may be critical for RIAs that intend to retain the children of their older clients and to attract a new generation of investors. Millions of Americans 49 years and younger — also known as Gen X and Gen Y — are expected to amass $28 trillion in assets by 2020, up from $2 trillion, through inheritance and their own wealth-creation. (4)
The scholarship is a one time, non-renewable amount of $5,000. Ten awards will be given for the 2014 -2015 academic year.
Scholarships will be applied to tuition, fees, books, supplies and equipment required for course load.
# # #
About TD Ameritrade Institutional
TD Ameritrade Institutional (See note 1) is a leading provider of comprehensive brokerage and custody services to more than 4,500 fee-based, independent registered investment advisors and their clients. Our advanced technology platform, coupled with personal support from our dedicated service teams, allows investment advisors to run their practices more efficiently and effectively while optimizing time with clients.
About TD Ameritrade Holding Corporation
Millions of investors and registered investment advisors have turned to TD Ameritrade’s (NYSE: AMTD) technology, people and education to help make investing and trading easier. Our clients want to take control and we help them decide how: online, by phone, in a branch or through an independent investment advisor. We’ve been bringing Wall Street to Main Street for more than 39 years. Proud to be an official sponsor of the 2014 and 2016 U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Teams. Visit TD Ameritrade’s newsroom at www.amtd.com for more information.
Brokerage services provided by TD Ameritrade, Inc., member FINA/SIPC/NFA. Third parties mentioned above are separate from and not affiliated with TD Ameritrade.
(1) TD Ameritrade Institutional is a division of TD Ameritrade, Inc., a brokerage subsidiary of TD Ameritrade Holding Corporation.
(2) Cerulli Associates, the Cerulli Report, Advisor Metrics 2013: Understanding and Addressing a More Sophisticated Population
(3) Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2014-15 Edition, Personal Financial Advisors, http://www.bls.gov/ooh/business-and-financial/personal-financial-advisors.htm
(4) Advent Software, Three Ways to Reach the Next Generation of Investors, November 2013
Source:
TD Ameritrade Holding Corporation
Contact:
Joseph A. Giannone
TD Ameritrade Communications + Public Affairs
(201) 369-8705
joseph.giannone@tdameritrade.com