Transform Your Plans into Action – Without In-Person Meetings
One of the results of the COVID-19 pandemic and its associated lockdowns has been that more businesses are incorporating virtual work into their business models – and the financial planning sector is no different. There are many reasons someone might prefer to work with a virtual financial advisor rather than scheduling in-person meetings, and there are also many benefits. Platforms like Zoom, Skype, and FaceTime are making it easier than ever to connect and host business meetings no matter where you are in the world.
Here at Arbor Capital, we offer an “Arbor Anywhere” option that allows clients right down the road – or thousands of miles away – to work with us completely virtually. Below we’ll talk through some of the advantages of this model so that you can decide whether a virtual financial advisor relationship may be right for you.
1. You’ll likely have more efficient meetings.
One of the most advantageous things about meeting virtually is that you and your financial advisor will be able to share screens, making it easier for you to log into any of your financial accounts together. This option often gives clients the ability to accomplish more in the same amount of time. For example, say you want to review your stock options or RSU vesting schedule. You and your virtual financial advisor can log in together to review your company equity package and make a plan in real time for your vesting equity. Meeting virtually with your financial planner creates an atmosphere in which taking care of everything on the spot becomes accessible and easy, which can transform a planning session into one of action.
2. You can save time.
People are busier today than ever before, which makes it harder to schedule in-person financial advising meetings. There’s the commute, the possibility of having to wait for several minutes if you arrive early or your advisor is running late, and the potential for your meeting to run longer than expected. If you’ve been putting off scheduling time with an advisor for these reasons, a virtual financial advisor session might fit more easily into your life. You save time in your busy life, yet you also get to speak to your advisor face-to-face on screen, get any questions answered on the spot, and gain forward momentum in your financial planning – rather than leaving it on the backburner.
3. You’ll probably save money in the long run.
Time isn’t the only resource you’ll save with a virtual financial advisor meeting. You’ll be able to save money on fuel, on parking, or on public transportation, as well. And, if you know you’re likely to grab a fancy coffee from your favorite drive-thru on the way to your meeting, you can also save there! All of these small amounts of savings add up over the months and years – and these are dollars you can be adding to your retirement nest egg instead.
4. You gain greater freedom of choice.
This is, perhaps, the single most valuable aspect of choosing to work with a financial advisor completely virtually. Whether you choose someone local but prefer a virtual option or you live across the country, your virtual financial advisor relationship can still feel personal, and your financial planning can still be customized to your needs and goals.
This kind of freedom is important – especially if you require specific expertise in your financial planning. For instance, at Arbor Capital, we work with many first responders and military clients, and we offer solutions personalized to their needs. Technology makes it easy for us to connect whenever our virtual clients need us, and none of our clients have to worry about switching to a new advisor if they move away either.
SEE ALSO: 5 Ways Your HAS Can Strengthen Your Retirement Plan
The Bottom Line on Virtual Financial Advisors
Finding a financial advisor you trust, and who is the right fit for your needs, can be critical to your long-term financial success. You may be someone who wants to sit across the table from your advisor in person – and there’s nothing wrong with that. In fact, many of our clients continue to meet with us in person. However, we have also found that Arbor Capital advisors are able to build strong relationships with their completely virtual clients and provide for all of their financial planning needs regardless of distance.
If you’d like to learn more about the innovative ways the Arbor Capital team serves our clients from Alaska to Albuquerque and everywhere in between, let’s talk! We’ve been focused on expanding our national presence, while maintaining our Alaskan roots, by incorporating technology to create an optimized client experience. Wherever you are in the country, if you’re interested in speaking with one of our professionals about your financial plans, we’d love to hear from you. Contact us today to begin a conversation about how we can help you realize your life’s ambitions by creating a strong and comprehensive financial plan.
