The Power of a Firm That Feels Like a Community
Independence should be non-negotiable for independent financial advisers. However, regulation has pushed many broker/dealers and RIAs to operate less like service providers and more like employers. This evolution means it is critical for independent financial advisers to find partner firms that respect independence while empowering the business that serves an adviser’s clients best. At CFD, everything we do focuses on executing this dynamic. We aim to deliver the resources independent advisers seek in an environment where their independence is honored, and respect of what they have built is freely given.
Done right, this model build community, as personal relationships are cornerstone to understanding individual adviser needs. This means a Home Office team that takes the time to understand your practice, rather than asking you to fit a standard model. Support should strengthen the business you're building, not reshape it into something easier for us to manage.
Community also gives advisers space to learn from one another. Through shared conversations and experience, CFD advisers gain perspective from peers who understand the possibilities and challenges of building an independent practice. Our community is often the origin of business and mission alignment, and it can be a catalyst for a legacy business that will be serving people for generations to come.
At CFD, we encourage all advisers to ask what independence means. Do you own your clients and relationships? Do you control how your practice is valued? Most importantly, can you walk away if you are not receiving the support you need? After all, is it support if you feel held hostage; or, is it just sharing rations with thousands of others? Our goal isn't to tell you what your practice should be. Our goal is to empower your calling to build something special.
Frequently Asked Questions
In this section, we answer common questions with what we experience at CFD.
What does the adviser community look like at CFD?
Our advisers come from all walks of life and every corner of the country. What they share is a passion for entrepreneurship and a commitment to serving their clients with excellence. Over time, the community has become a family of advisers and home office staff who encourage and empower one another.
What opportunities does CFD offer for adviser connection?
Plenty. We host two conferences each year, hold quarterly Team CFD Zoom calls, and are always glad to make introductions based on your specific needs. Our top producers are invited on an annual Presidential Advisers' Trip, and our next-generation advisers have their own annual Emerging Advisers' Trip.
What makes the CFD Companies' approach to partnership different?
It starts with a clear understanding of our roles. Our advisers have trusted us to support their businesses, which means our job is to be a service provider that pursues excellence in everything we do. If we ever overstep, our advisers aren't afraid to tell us. And if they need more from us, they aren't afraid to say that either.
Can I maintain my independence while still receiving support?
Absolutely. We believe direction is for employees and support is for independent business owners. When you trust us to support your business, we treat that as both an honor and a responsibility we take seriously.
About CFD Companies
The CFD Companies are home to a fully independent Broker/Dealer and RIA that believe individuals are best served by a financial professional who possesses the freedom to implement personalized planning and investment strategies. The CFD Companies operate on the premise that an adviser’s Broker/Dealer and RIA should act as a partner and resource network, empowering adviser-client relationships through trust, innovative support and a shared commitment to mutual growth.
While others operate in cliché, CFD operates in commitment. To learn more about that commitment and the future of your business in partnership with CFD, reach out to us here.
