One of the greatest accolades you can receive from a client is the declaration that you are an authority in your field. Even better still is to hear you are a “leading authority” or even “the leading authority.”
But don’t take a simplistic view of the route to getting this type of recognition. Your “authority” as a client advisor is based on much more than simply expertise, although that’s an important starting point. Click here to read the full article.
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ESI’s NRF kit used to affiliate administrative, non-licensed staff has recently been updated. New to the kit is a fourth page, dedicated to ESI Technology and the platforms/websites the new NRF may need access to. This will help in the initial set up of the NRF to ensure they have the appropriate access granted at the time of their affiliation, so they may begin assisting the associated rep or agency right away. The new kit is available on the NL website in Merrill and should be used starting immediately.
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Overview
Two new 401k retirement plan options are now available to Investment Advisor Representatives. Capital Group, home of American Funds, offers flexible retirement plan solutions, available for your 401k clients. These solutions include multiple share classes, including two that are structured for fee-based advisor compensation. The TD Ameritrade Retirement Plan brings together ease of plan administration, investment flexibility and support in meeting the plan sponsor’s fiduciary responsibilities – all in a turnkey approach.
TD Ameritrade Details
The TD Ameritrade Retirement Plan offers open investment architecture with institutional fund pricing and includes resources, tools and education for plan participants. ESI requires that each plan have a 3/38 ERISA Investment Manager. The TD platform will generally be a competitive solution for larger plans, (i.e. $2M+).
Platform features include:
American Funds Details
Offering the advantages of large-plan pricing to small- and mid-size employer-sponsored retirement plans, American Funds RecordkeeperDirect and Plan Premier are available in fee-based solutions. While American Funds 401k commission-based products have been available in the past, the expansion of additional share classes provides ESI advisors with a flexible fee-based solution.
Platform features include:
Opportunity
For advisors already working in or considering expanding into this market, the American Funds and TD Ameritrade names and support can help you establish yourself and grow. Both offer a strong service model and ERISA-level technical support for advisors working in the defined contribution plan arena.
Learn More
American Funds:
TD Ameritrade:
This notice is a reminder that all ESI Registered Representatives have online access to view their individual licensing information, as it’s recorded in the Firm’s back office system. This information is provided to you as a means of verifying your licensing and appointment status prior to submitting business. It includes securities licenses sponsored, state securities registrations, variable authority, and variable appointments with carriers. Certain administrative roles within the agency, such as the new business processor, also have access to view their associated representatives’ licensing information.
ACCESSING INFORMATION
A document contains step-by-step instructions on how to access individual licensing information through the Activities and Commission Engine (“ACE”) is available on the NL agent portal. This information is populated from the back-office system and is regularly updated overnight.
HOW THIS HELPS YOU
Prior to meeting with a client or potential client, representatives should access ACE to ensure that they have the appropriate state securities registration, variable authority (if applicable), and carrier appointment for the business they expect to write. State securities regulations require that the broker/dealer, principals, and each registered representative must be registered in each state in which they solicit and/or conduct securities business. This includes obtaining a state securities registration in the client’s state of residence, prior to soliciting any securities transactions. If any of the necessary requirements are not reflected in ACE, the representative should work with their office manager to complete the necessary steps and obtain the licensing item(s) needed. Ensuring that all paperwork is received in good order (“IGO”) at ESI – which includes meeting all the necessary licensing/registration requirements – helps avoid processing delays and reduces the risk of ESI having to return paperwork to a client due to licensing issues.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What should I do if the status of any of my insurance license(s) changes?
Reps should notify ESI licensing of any changes in the status of their insurance licensing (i.e. adding a new license, terminating an existing one, or updates to the variable authority on any insurance license), as ESI does not automatically receive this information from either the states nor carriers. Changes to ESI’s back office system require manual processing, so it is incumbent on the representative to keep ESI informed of any changes to their insurance licenses.
Where do I find appointment paperwork?
If a carrier appointment is needed, the variable annuity appointment paperwork is located on the ESI website (VA Appointment forms). The representative must print complete and forward the appointment paperwork to ESI Licensing for processing. Please DO NOT send appointment paperwork directly to the carrier. Bypassing ESI Licensing does not allow the Firm to maintain accurate licensing/appointment information and may result in delayed or rejected new business and, possibly, the assessment of a $25 service fee.
When is my appointment active?
You will receive a confirmation email from ESI Licensing when a registration or carrier appointment is active. Attempting to submit or process business prior to receiving such confirmation may result in delayed or rejected new business.
Questions
If you have any questions about this requirement, please contact ESI Licensing at 800-344-7437.
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With the end of the year fast approaching, it is time to start thinking about renewing your securities registrations for the coming year.
Renewal Timeline
Key dates for the 2021 renewal period are as follows:
Important Changes to 2021 Renewals
Important changes that take effect for the 2021 renewal period are as follows:
Important Notes for 2021 Renewals
Important points to keep in mind for the 2021 renewal period are as follows:
Renewal Packets
Below is the information that will be included in each renewal packet.
Please return all pages of the kit to ESI Licensing. Reps/agencies may make copies for their records before sending back.
Fee Waiver Criteria
Some RRs may have all or part of their renewal fees paid by ESI. Criteria are outlined below:
Tips for a Successful Renewal Packet
To avoid any confusion or delays, please be sure that all renewal packets are complete.
Questions may be directed to ESI Licensing, at 800-344-7437 or ESI_Licensing@nationallife.com.
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Another great article from Maple Capital! Click here to read what they have to say.
Third party articles are for information only and have not been reviewed or approved for use with consumers.
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2020-2021 Firm Element Continuing Education – Field
The 2020-2021 Firm Element continuing education (“CE”) courses are now available in FIRE Solutions (“FIRE”) for all Registered Representatives (“RRs”). This field notice explains this year’s course requirements, a description of the courses, and how to access them. The due date for completion is February 28, 2021.
COURSE ASSIGNMENT
All registered persons will complete the following courses:
Cybersecurity – Threats and Trends: This course is intended for personnel who have contact with sensitive customer information or have responsibilities related to the protection of both customer information and/or proprietary firm information. The course explores the tactics used to hack into a firm’s systems and ways that firms and employees can prevent these breaches. Best practices for employees who handle confidential and sensitive information are discussed, and examples are given for the specific information that must be protected.
FINRA: Annual Compliance Reminders for Registered Representatives, Vol 9: This course uses scenarios adapted from actual FINRA disciplinary actions to remind registered representatives about their compliance obligations. Volume 9 covers cybersecurity, ethics, financial exploitation of seniors, outside business activities and private securities transactions, professional designations and suitability, and 529 savings plans.
Impact of Market Events on Variable Products: This course outlines the risk types associated with variable annuities and variable life products, and the effects of each risk type on each type of variable product. Applicable case studies provide real-world scenarios to illustrate the concepts covered.
AML – Compliance and Regulatory Issues 2020: This course reviews the current trends in AML compliance and how firms can avoid regulatory problems with an appropriately designed compliance program. Additionally, an interactive case scenario is featured to further solidify real-life issues that can challenge AML compliance.
NEW! SINGLE SIGN-ON WITH FIRE SOLUTIONS
Single sign-on (“SSO”) is now available with FIRE Solutions! This means you no longer need a separate login and password combination for FIRE but can access your Firm Element courses through the NLG agent portal. Use your NLG login credentials to access your agent portal. From the home page, find and click “NRS – FIRE Solutions” in the menu on the left of the screen.
This will bring you directly to your dashboard with FIRE. From there you can launch your Firm Element courses.
Additionally, you can still access your courses directly through FIRE’s website:
FIRE’s support hours are from 9:00am to 8:30pm ET, Monday through Friday. If you contact them outside of those hours, you will receive a response during the next business day.
QUESTIONS
Please see the attached Frequently Asked Questions for additional guidance. If you still have questions, please feel free to contact ESI Licensing at (800) 344-7437 or ESI_Licensing@nationallife.com.
CLICK HERE TO REVIEW FIRM ELEMENT FAQs!
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| Dear Financial Advisor, As COVID-19 continues to have a significant impact on the global economy, we are closely monitoring its effect on all aspects of CPA:18’s portfolio. Primarily due to the long-term leases and strong credits of the net lease portfolio critical to our investment strategy, the CPA:18 portfolio has held up relatively well during the early stages of the pandemic. Given the significant uncertainty around the duration and impact of the crisis, we remain cautious. We are actively engaging with tenants and third-party managers of the operating properties regarding their business operations, liquidity, ability to pay rent and their financial position. CPA:18’s portfolio is diversified across property type, geography and industry so it is not overexposed to a particular industry or geographic region. CPA:18 received approximately 83% of contractual base rent due in the second quarter and approximately 90% of net lease contractual base rent due in July. The net lease portfolio includes exposure to hotel and student housing, two sectors significantly impacted by the pandemic. CPA:18’s net lease hotel assets, representing 7% of the portfolio based on Stabilized NOI, were effected immediately, with approximately $3.0 million of uncollected rent for the six months ended June 30, 2020. Other tenant industries may still be impacted over the longer-term as the outbreak is expected to have a continued adverse effect on market conditions for the foreseeable future. Long-term Liquidity In light of the uncertainty due to COVID-19 and the current stage of CPA:18’s lifecycle, we believe it is prudent to preserve cash and have made several difficult decisions to manage long-term liquidity and balance sheet flexibility: – As previously communicated, CPA:18’s Board of Directors reduced the second quarter 2020 distribution rate to $0.0625 per Class A share and $0.0438 per Class C share, equating to 2.50% for Class A shares and 1.87% for Class C shares on an annual basis.1 – Additionally, the Board of Directors recently updated the redemption program, limiting quarterly redemptions to the amount reinvested by stockholders in our distribution reinvestment plan. Furthermore, if the cash available for the redemption program is insufficient to satisfy all redemption requests or if the 5% Limit is reached, then we will prioritize qualifying special circumstance redemption requests (i.e., death, disability, receipt of long term care), with the remaining redemption requests to be redeemed on a pro rata basis. These policy changes to our redemption program are effective immediately and will be applied to currently pending requests. Requests not fulfilled in one quarter will automatically be carried forward to the next quarter (unless such request is revoked) and processed in accordance with the above. Decisions like these—those that impact investors—are not taken lightly but are done with a focus on maximizing value to preserve flexibility so that we may provide shareholders with a variety of exit options when markets recover and stabilize. We will continue to monitor the economic outlook and the financial performance of the portfolio and will make decisions in a manner that we believe preserves and protects shareholders’ investments. Net Asset Value as of June 30, 2020 CPA:18’s quarterly estimated Net Asset Values per share (NAVs) as of June 30, 2020, based in part on a third party appraisal provided by Robert A. Stanger & Co. Inc., were determined to be $8.41 for both Class A and Class C shares, a 1.4% increase from the prior NAVs of $8.29 as of March 31, 2020. – The increase in NAVs is primarily due to the impact of foreign exchange fluctuations, specifically, the exchange rates on June 30, 2020, the date of the valuation. – As of that date, the portfolio consisted of 47 net-leased properties with a weighted average lease term of 9.2 years and an occupancy rate of 98.7%, in addition to 70 operating properties and 12 development properties. We continue to proactively manage CPA:18’s diversified portfolio to enhance cash flow, maximize portfolio value and provide long-term value for CPA:18 shareholders: |
| Total Returns per $10,000 Invested2 |
| Class A Shares – Without DRIP$12,651 Class A Shares – With DRIP$13,563 |
| Class C Shares – Without DRIP$12,928 Class C Shares – With DRIP$13,749 |
| For additional information regarding the calculation of the NAV, please see the Form 8-K filed by CPA:18 with the Securities and Exchange Commission on September 1, 2020 at www.cpa18global.comor www.sec.gov. You may also contact our Investor Relations Department at 1 (800) WP CAREY (972-2739). As always, we thank you for your ongoing confidence and support as we continue to implement our 45+ year philosophy of Investing for the Long Run®. With best regards, Jason E. FoxChief Executive Officer |
Third party articles are for information only and have not been reviewed or approved for use with consumers.
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Working away at signing up your clients for eDelivery but can’t always remember what to do? No problem! Fidelity a great quick reference guide just for you!
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As a reminder, when contacting ESI for support, the quickest way to reach one of our team members is to use our 800#,
800-344-7437
While we’re happy to take direct calls, in the event that we are already on the phone or in a meeting, calling direct will lead you to a voicemail. Calling our 800# puts you into a phone queue that assures your call will be picked up by the first available team member.
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