The Potomac Blog
When we learn from our peers, we make everyone better. We listen and we share. Here you will find insights from the Potomac team on investment management, advisor resources, operations, marketing and much more.
Risk on!
But Where Will the Leadership Be?
With the S&P 500 trading at record levels, we look at some of the important relationships that can give us a sense of the…
Strong Breadth
at Record Highs
Breadth metrics in the equity market remains supportive of the bullish price trend in the near term for the S&P 500, which traded to…
Europe: On the
Brink of a Breakout
Much of the weakness in the “growth stocks” and the Technology Sector since the middle of February has been concentrated in that…
Spotlight Brookmont
(S4 E14)
Brookmont is available on platforms like Envestnet, Orion Communities, and now the Union UMA.
All Eyes on the
Technology Sector
Much of the weakness in the “growth stocks” and the Technology Sector since the middle of February has been concentrated in that…
The Uptrend
Continues
The uptrend from the March lows remains in place for risk assets with the S&P 500 trading to a new record weekly high while global equities…
Build in Public (E2)
Potomac NFTs
Potomac’s marketing team break down their April fools NFT campaign, and what financial advisors can learn from the experience.
2 Legit 2 Quit
(S4 E13)
From the growth of this podcast, to the evolution of Potomac’s business, it’s been an incredible start to 2021.
Check Yourself Before
You Wreck Yourself
The fastest growing companies use business intelligence to gain a growth advantage over their peers.
Business Intelligence
(S4 E12)
How can financial advisors utilize business intelligence to better ascertain the health of their practice? What tools exists to help?
Industry Gossip (E2)
Hidden Levers, Apex, Walmart, and more
Has the Fintech arms race opened up to an all-out war? Or is this just pandemic fatigue March Madness?
Blowing up Benchmarks
(S4 E11)
Are there better benchmarks for investment strategists? What is the best benchmark for advisors to gauge a TAMP?
Build in Public (E1)
Ahrefs, Engagement, and Growth
Potomac Fund Management’s marketing team has launched a new series called Build In Public to show Financial Advisors how to better market.
RIA Testimonials
(S4 E10)
The SEC approved RIA Testimonials on Friday March 5th, what will this mean for Advisors? What types of Advisor Testimonials will be allowed?
Book Club (E1)
Excellence Wins
Ever wish you read more? We did, so we started a book club. This series from the Conquer Risk Podcast will feature the full Potomac team.
Donor Advised Funds
(S4 E9)
Following our “February Hot Takes” we dive deeper into Donor Advised Funds. How can they help advisors grow?
February Hot Takes
(S4 E8)
Have you heard about Donor Advised Funds? What’s up with people buying clients? We were wrong about Cetera.
How Your Custodian Makes Money
(S4 E7)
With so many claiming their services are now “free,” how are custodians actually making money? Does it matter?
Industry Gossip (E1)
TD, Testimonials, Vise, and more
There is so much news flying around we barely have time to process it all. What’s overrated? What’s underrated?
Death of a (Whole) Salesman
(Guest Column)
This was an age before (the industry had fully adopted) the internet, when the local wholesaler reigned supreme.
Advisor Communication is Broken
(S4 E6)
How is advisor client communication evolving? How can advisors utilize content to find the type of clients they want?
Custom SMA and Direct Indexing
(S4 E5)
While currently hot topics: Is direct indexing a fad? Is the custom SMA overhyped? Where can financial advisors find guidance?
January Hot Takes
(S4 E4)
Cetera adds Riskalyze at no cost. Altruist raises Funding. Baron Partners vs. Ark Invest. Why you can’t scale service.
Hiring, Training, and Retaining Talent
(S4 E3)
How can financial advisors hire the best talent in 2021? What are the best retention strategies for financial advisors to use with their team?
Advisor Success Stories
(S4 E2)
We sit down with Samantha Russell to share stories of where advisors have found success growing their business.
Why a New TAMP for Small RIAs Has a Months-Long Waitlist
Called Union, the unified managed account platform serves up big-TAMP technology plus “human handholding,” Khatta says.
The Rocketship
(S4 E1)
Manish set out to write our year end letter but thought, “who would want to read it?” What was and what is to come on the podcast.
3 Tactics for Advisors to Increase Their Social Media Reach
CIO Manish Khatta shows how advisors can increase social media engagement in this article from YCharts.
Hindsight is 2020
(S3 E23)
How has Potomac evolved in 2020? What surprised us and what were the pain points? We bring our full leadership team to discuss.
The Powerful Breadth
Surge
Explore how a surge in positive market breadth can effect forward looking returns. The use of technical analysis…
Spotlight: Main Management
(S3 E22)
From time to time we come across an investment strategist engaged in truly interesting work, and we want to share what we’ve found.
Oranj and the Future of Fintech
(S3 E21)
Why did Oranj close? What should advisors do? How does this signal a wakeup call for the wider industry?
Do Seasonality Trading Systems Work?
(S3 E20)
Seasonality trading is a term that gets thrown around a lot, but what is it? And can you build a trading system around it?
Fintech:
The Next Generation
As guest columnist, Manish Khatta discuss how integrations are giving way to the all-in-one solution.
Social Assurance
(S3 E19)
Advisors often hodgepodge their tech stack for social media engagement and compliance, is there a better solution?
Pricing to Piss People Off
(S3 E18)
Hidden fees, extra charges, “scalable” pricing. How can advisors help their clients be more money wise?
Lessons from a Home Builder
(S3 E17)
One opportunity we don’t hear talked about enough, is learning from people outside the industry.
Halloween Election Special
(S3 E16)
What impact do elections have on financial markets? Which party is a more positive market force?
Mobile Assistant (Human) Technology
(S3 E15)
From time-to-time we like to highlight resources that we believe may truly be of value to financial advisors…
How to Select Indicators
(S3 E14)
How do you choose and use indicators? How do you build a process around indicators and technical analysis?
Small nimble firms still have a lock on doing well and making a great living.
As a guest columnist for RIA Biz, Manish Khatta discusses how oftentimes small advisors are either condescended to or…
Top Content of Q3 2020
(S3 E13)
What was the top Advisor content in the third quarter of the year? We discuss in this episode of the Conquer Risk podcast.
Is PR Valuable for Advisors?
(S3 E12)
Are PR efforts valuable for financial advisors? If so, where does one begin, what should you look for, and how do you define success?
Who Uses an OCIO?
(S3 E11)
How does the advisor relationship work with an Outsourced Chief Investment Officer (OCIO)? Who is using an OCIO…
Why We Started the
Union UMA Platform
So, we gathered the team and decided, “either we are going to solve this problem, or we need to find another business model”.
TAMP vs. Model Marketplace
(S3 E10)
What’s the difference between a TAMP and a Model Marketplace? Why does it matter to advisors in today’s regulatory environment?
How to Find a Manager
(S3 E9)
How do financial advisors find a manager? Web search? Custodian? Networking? Software? We discuss on the podcast.
Do Risk Scores Work?
(S3 E8)
Potomac has used several major risk assessment and risk tolerance questionnaires. Do they add value…
Is Social Media a Waste of Time?
(S3 E7)
Is social media a waste of time for financial advisors? Where can the most value be found with a social presence?
Day Trading vs Diversification
(S3 E6)
What is going on with stock surges? What happens when diversification does not work? This and more on the podcast…
The “Client Experience” Requirements have Changed (S3 E5)
Is your firm pushing the envelope or struggling to keep up? We explore the key elements to success…
The Perfect Record of a
Breadth Thrust
Risk management is an important part of investing to protect from volatility and bear market declines. Explore whether…
Understanding Your Risk Tolerance with Manish Khatta
Our CIO is featured on the YCharts blog in a Q&A about what we do and how we use their products to better understand risk.
Top Content of Q2 2020
(S3 E4)
What was the top Advisor content in the second quarter of the year? We discuss in this episode of the Conquer Risk podcast.
How to Launch a Product (with a Limited Budget) S3 E3
How can Financial Advisors launch a product with a limited budget? We walk through building a successful roadmap without a…
The Key Steps to Becoming an RIA
(S3 E2)
The independence movement is still in full force with Advisors, but this can mean many things and there are multiple levels of…
Your Business Matters
(S3 E1)
Advisors have shared their biggest frustrations to be poor service. With Union, we set out to solve this point-by-point.
A Small Investment Company Launches a TAMP for the Little Guy
Potomac says competitive pricing and superior service will make Union a viable business, even amid consolidation.
Union UMA Platform
Press Release
Potomac Fund Management launches Union, a new UMA Platform for Small Business Advisors. Read the Press Release here.
The Making of Union UMA
(S2 E25)
Where can advisors find an all-in-one UMA platform designed for small businesses? We discuss the Union UMA…
Why Advisors Need
an OCIO
Explore the important topics around the benefits, mistakes, and RIA experience of working with an OCIO.
The Benefits of a TAMP
(S2 E24)
How can advisors keep up with evolving technology? How can advisors create a simple and intuitive client experience?
Do Moving Averages Work for Risk Management?
Risk management is an important part of investing to protect from volatility and bear market declines…
The Female Advisor Network
(S2 E23)
How is the financial industry evolving to welcome female advisors? Nina O’Neal shares the story of the…
Random Pod Volume 02
(S2 E22)
In the second volume of our quick hitters’ format, we tackle numerous headlines that could impact advisors…
What Advisors Should Say When They Don’t Know What to Say
A global pandemic. Civil unrest. People are hurting. How does an advisor proceed when the world is on fire?
The AGC™
(S2 E21)
Where can advisors go for growth resources and a community to build a better practice? Justin Castelli joins us to discuss the AGC™
Market Cap Weighting: The Rich Get Richer? (S2 E20)
Many individual companies are struggling and the economy is still mostly closed, so why is the S&P 500 fairing much better?
Why We Use YCharts
(S2 E19)
What the value of YCharts? Why we use the software, and why we believe every Advisor will benefit…
What is a Bear Market?
(S2 E18)
There are many definitions floating around of what constitutes a bear (or a bull) market. So, how do you know if you’re actually in one?
Working with Your Partner
(S2 E17)
Is it possible to have a successful working relationship with your partner or spouse? We discuss in this episode…
Top Content of Q1 2020
(S2 E16)
What was the top Advisor content in the first quarter of the year? We discuss in this episode of the Conquer Risk podcast.
What is a
Bear Market?
What is a Bear Market? There isn’t a consistent definition. Explore how Potomac defines a bear market and why you should care about…
Building a Multiple Manager Platform (S2 E15)
In this episode we continue our series on “the Making of an Investment Platform” with several key updates.
The Truth about
Risk Management
Risk management can come in different flavors. Explore how Potomac manages risk and what we think is the only risk statistic you should…
Random Pod Volume 01
(S2 E14)
In this episode of the Conquer Risk podcast, we discuss the Cares Act, SBA loans, market head-fakes, and what could be a new paradigm.
The Essence of Risk Management
(S2 E13)
What is the meaning of Risk Management? What statistics support Risk Management? This, and how it defines Potomac…
How Social Distancing Can Improve Your Business (S2 E12)
In this episode of the Conquer Risk podcast, we explore making the most of shelter in place as an opportunity for business growth.
SMArtX Technology
(S2 E11)
In this episode of the Conquer Risk podcast, we sit down with SMArtX CEO Evan Rapoport to discuss how their firm’s technology elevates…
The Black Swan
(S2 E10)
In this episode of the Conquer Risk podcast, we break down the meaning of “black swan events” and if the coronavirus is such an event.
How Bear Markets Can Humble a Buy the Dip Investor
Explore how market historians understand that bear markets have a unique way of humbling the staunchest buy the dip investor.
Finding Your Voice
(S2 E9)
In this episode of the Conquer Risk podcast, we discuss how to identify, portray, and build upon the voice you establish for your advisory practice.
Know What You
Recommend
Financial advisors should understand the underpinnings of their recommendations, and never be surprised about what is lurking…
The Myth of Retiring Advisors
(S2 E8)
In this episode, we discuss the article by Cerulli that projects the number of financial advisors will begin declining in 2021.
Understanding the Mutual Fund Share Class Fiasco
Financial advisors and brokers have a responsibility to understand the convoluted landscape of mutual fund share classes.
When in Doubt, Zoom Out
(S2 E7)
In this episode, we discuss the cord stuck with our first blog post of 2020 and the passionate found in calendar year returns.
National LINC & InsideETFs Conference Wrap (S2 E6)
In this episode, we discuss our experiences at the TD National LINC and InsideETFs conferences sharing our biggest take aways.
When You Can’t Hire a CMO
(S2 E5)
In the fifth episode the Conquer Risk podcast season two, we discuss how to replicate the CMO experience without necessitating a big spend.
HSA – The Fidelity Experience
(S2 E4)
In the fourth episode the Conquer Risk podcast season two, we discuss the experience with Fidelity’s new HSA program.
Share Class Fiasco
(S2 E3)
In the third episode the Conquer Risk podcast season two, we break down the share class fiasco and what to make of it.
How to Create a Trading System
(S2 E2)
In the second episode of the Conquer Risk podcast season two, we discuss why every advisor needs a trading system!
The Making of an Investment Platform
(S2 E1)
In our season two premiere, we discuss the next evolution of Potomac’s Business and what it means for Advisors.
Dangers of
Calendar Year Returns
One of the biggest behavioral mistakes investors make is focusing on short term performance. The obsession with calendar year returns…
HSAs Can Be a Niche Market
for Advisors
Advisors can grow a niche and add value by discussing the opportunities of an HSA account to protect against growing…
How to Evaluate a Manager
(S1 E23)
In episode 23 we discuss key items Advisors should look for, as well as what is overrated, when constructing a portfolio of managers.
Gear Up
(S1 E22)
In episode 22 we dive deep into the production equipment and editing software Advisors can use in creating their own Podcast.
Why the Media is Not Your Client’s Friend (S1 E21)
In episode 21 of the Conquer Risk podcast we discuss the dangers of media clickbait, social media gimmicks, and non-advisor advice.
Schwab: The Takeover
(S1 E20)
In episode 20 of the Conquer Risk podcast we discuss Schwab’s takeover of TD Ameritrade and what that may mean for the industry.
Did the Brokerage Window Solve 403(b) Lawsuits? (S1 E19)
In episode 19 we discuss why a series of 403(b) lawsuits launched in 2016 and the impact they’ve made on the industry.
HSA – The Next Untapped Market
(S1 E18)
In episode 18 of the Conquer Risk podcast we discuss Advisor’s ability to manage HSA accounts, and four key points of this growth opportunity.
The Remote Workplace
(S1 E17)
In episode 17 of the Conquer Risk podcast we discuss the opportunities and challenges of having a remote workplace.
The Life (and Death?) of Mutual Funds
(S1 E16)
In episode 16 of the Conquer Risk podcast we discuss whether Mutual Funds are dying a slow death.
The Podcast (Podcast)
S1 E15
In episode 15 of the Conquer Risk podcast we discuss why we launched a podcast, and how you can get started.
How I Invest
My Money
Investment managers should invest in the products they recommend to clients. Explore how Potomac takes the fiduciary…
The Race to Zero
(S1 E14)
In episode 14 of the Conquer Risk podcast we discuss what zero trading fees mean for Advisors and their businesses.
Acquisition Opportunities (and Challenges) S1 E13
In episode 13 of the Conquer Risk podcast we discuss opportunities and challenges in advisor acquisitions.
Passive Investing – The Next Bubble?
(S1 E12)
In episode 12 of the Conquer Risk podcast we discuss if passive investing is creating the next market bubble.
A Look at Bear Market Funds
(S1 E11)
In episode 11 of the Conquer Risk podcast we discuss Bear Market Funds and their appropriate use.
The Skinny on
Bear Market Funds
Bear Market Funds provide a quick and easy way to immediately protect against bear market losses. But how should they be used? When?
The WealthStack 2019 Conference
(S1 E10)
In episode 10 of the Conquer Risk podcast we discuss our impressions of the 2019 WealthStack Conference.
LinkedIn for Financial Advisors and the Charlatans of Rate Chasing (S1 E9)
Episode 9 of the Conquer Risk podcast discusses how Financial Advisors can use (and not use) LinkedIn to benefit their practice and…
Choose a Path that Fits
Your Business Model
Financial advisors have many choices. Explore the various ways Financial Advisors can access Potomac’s tactical risk-managed…
Financial Advisors Can Help 403(b) Participants! (S1 E8)
We discuss the enormous opportunity for financial advisors to help clients and grow their business in the 403b plan participant market.
The Inverted Yield Curve is Coming to Kill You! (S1 E7)
Episode 7 of the Conquer Risk podcast discusses the truth behind the inverted yield curve and the deductibility of management fees for annuities.
The Truth About the
Killer Yield Curve
Explore the truth behind the yield curve inversion and if it’s really coming to kill your retirement account.
Benchmarks Are More Dangerous Than Trade Wars (S1 E6)
Episode 6 of the Conquer Risk podcast discusses the dangers of benchmark FOMO and the process of remote hiring for RIA’s.
LA Fitness and The Death of Integrations (S1 E5)
In episode 5 we discuss investment advice delivered via a subscription pricing model and the death of fintech integrations.
Would You Loan Someone $10,000 for $8 Guaranteed? (S1 E4)
In episode 4 we discuss online banking, the chase for low risk yield and the pay-to-play dilemma with investment custodians.
Should Financial Advisors Stop Telling Clients to Save for College? (S1 E3)
Episode 3 of the Conquer Risk podcast discusses the search to find the best 529 plan for financial advisors, if saving for college is even…
![Helping Investors Who Need the Most Help! [Infographic]](https://potomacfund.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Infographic-a-trillion-dollar-opportunity-01.png)
Helping Investors Who Need the Most Help! [Infographic]
Explore the rapid growth of the 403(b) market and the bright future for financial advisors who want to serve clients with these plans.
The Riskalyze Partnership and the Hogwash of Hypothetical Performance (S1 E2)
Episode 2 of the Conquer Risk podcast discusses Potomac’s recent addition to the Riskalyze Model Marketplace, and the utter nonsense of…
The 4 Steps to Adding AUM in the 403(b) Space
Learn about the explosive growth potential of the 403(b) market. By working with Potomac in the 403(b) market, financial advisors could…
Will the Platform Rule the Investing Future? (S1 E1)
The premier episode of the Conquer Risk podcast discusses the recent Envestnet Advisor Summit and the usefulness of the 200 day…
The 200 Day Moving Average: Useful or All Hype?
Explore how Potomac views the 200 day moving average trading technique and if it deserves a place in your investing tool bag.
A Trillion Dollar Opportunity for Financial Advisors
Learn about how the projected explosive growth in the healthcare and education sectors presents such a large and potentially lucrative…
Hypothetical is Industry Code for Hogwash
Explore the disturbing trend of the investment management companies using hypothetical performance numbers…
Technical Analysis 101: The Advance/Decline Line
Technical analysis is one of the many tools that can be used to help reduce better risk adjusted returns…
How We Manage Money
to Reduce Risk
There are so many ways to invest your hard earned money. Explore the Potomac way which utilizes a combination of technical indicators…
The Pros and Cons of Investing in Index Funds
Learn about the history, pros and cons of investing in index funds. At Potomac, we believe there’s a time and a place for everything…
What Teachers Should Know About Retirement Planning
It goes without saying that teachers play one of the most critical roles in American society as the primary individuals responsible…
Morningstar Ratings™
Fact or Fiction
Explore how Morningstar Star Ratings have been used by investors to construct portfolios for decades, but in an industry that lives by a…
Why Most Retirement Plan Participants Are Invested Wrong (And What To Do About It)
Explore the history, current popularity, and dangers of target date funds, and learn how Potomac can provide a more personalized…
What is a 403(b) Account? (and how to make yours better)
Selecting investments on your own can be challenging and confusing. This guide is designed to help you better understand and manage…
How can Fidelity BrokerageLink® help your 403(b) retirement account?
Fidelity BrokerageLink® opens a window to a broader universe of investment options, including thousands of mutual funds and…
The Financial Crisis Taught Investors What They Didn’t Learn in Investing 101
It took around four years for the S&P 500 to make up all of its lost ground. Add to that the 517 days from peak-to-trough of the bear…
Your Biggest Asset Is Also Most At-Risk
For many people, especially those who are further along in their careers and nearing retirement, their financial holdings may…
5 Steps to Take
in an Aging Bull Market
The recent spike in market volatility has provided an opportunity for investors to experience drawdowns for the first time in over a year…
Stop Ignoring the Conversation
About Risk
The most recent stock market pullback is a small taste of what could be a very small part of a much larger bear market…
Does your investment manager “eat their own cooking”?
Explore the disturbing trend of the investment management industry not investing in their own management strategies…
The 5 reasons why employees should have unlimited vacation
Explore a radical new trend that is redefining the workplace environment, unlimited vacation. The best way to serve clients is to make sure…
Bond investors: Address the risk of rising rates now or suffer the consequences later.
Explore the shifting trend toward sustained rising interest rates and why we believe the risks for bond investors are as high as ever…
The Most Misunderstood
Asset Class!
Explore how high yield bonds can produce positive returns, however, as with most investments, the downside risk of…
It’s All About Timing: Why Market Cycles—Not Luck—Matter to Investors
Learn why luck is not an investment strategy. Investors should understand the importance of market cycles and timing…
Risky Business: Why Investors Need to Discuss Risk
Learn why investors should put maximum drawdown at the forefront of every decision about client discussion..