Study: Clients of Financial Planners Stay the Course During Volatility

KING OF PRUSSIA, Pa. — June 26, 2025 - The American College of Financial Services (“The College”), the nation’s largest nonprofit educational institution devoted to financial services, announced today the results of its Advising Through Uncertainty Study. The study crystallized around one central focus: determining how currently uncertain financial markets are affecting the work professionals do with their clients.

The study’s initial results demonstrate market volatility is indeed weighing on clients’ minds: 53% of all respondents said their clients’ focus has shifted amid recent market uncertainty, and 76% say their clients are more anxious. However, advisors who focus on offering comprehensive financial planning services are significantly less likely than those who solely provide investment management services to field client requests to make changes to their investments (23% to 43%). In addition, nearly 9 out of 10 investment managers say their clients are feeling either somewhat or very anxious about market uncertainty; on the other hand, only around 7 in 10 financial planners said their clients felt the same. There was also a marked difference between the anxiety clients felt when being advised by College designees vs. those without College designations.

“These results send a clear message: knowledge counts in uncertain times, and a broader array of services and specializations among financial professionals can help tame client anxiety,” said Jared Trexler, senior vice president and chief marketing and strategy officer at The College. “Financial professionals must continuously serve clients and counsel them to make the best possible decisions no matter what storms may arise. An all-weather financial planner, comprehensively educated and well-versed in high-demand knowledge areas, is more likely to succeed in keeping their clients on track to reach their goals.”

Much has been said about the benefits of financial planning approaches involving “behavioral finance” or “financial psychology”: the idea that during market downturns, clients are less likely to make rational decisions and may hastily choose short-term gains over long-term financial health. The College’s study took this notion to its logical conclusion, surveying a broad array of financial services professionals about how their clients are responding to market uncertainty and the services and advice they are able to offer in return. Respondents to the survey comprised both investment managers, solely involved in portfolio construction and management for their clients, and financial planners educated on a wider array of strategies, needs, and services.

Financial planners voicing their success navigating marketing uncertainty with clients specialize in a variety of in-demand planning areas including retirement accumulation planning, retirement withdrawal and income planning, estate and legacy planning, and tax planning and strategy, among others. Read the full results of the study on our microsite page.

For more information, contact:

Jared Trexler
610-526-1268
jared.trexler@theamericancollege.edu

Taylor Genovese
973-524-4949
americancollege@jconnelly.com 

About The American College of Financial Services

The American College of Financial Services is the nation’s largest provider of financial planning education through its CFP® Certification Education Program* and ChFC® designation program. The College goes beyond foundational education with rigorous programs, ethical standards, and experience requirements for professionals who wish to specialize in areas such as retirement income planning, tax planning, philanthropic planning, and more.

Connect with The College on LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube. Discover all the ways you can expand your opportunities.

*Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards Inc. owns the certification marks CFP®, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™, CFP® (with plaque design), and CFP® (with flame design) in the U.S., which it awards to individuals who successfully complete CFP Board's initial and ongoing certification requirements.