Media Spokesperson
Author
Inspirational Leader
Industry Leader
Coaching
Barron’s Top 100 Independent Financial Advisors List (10 times);
Barron’s Hall of Fame Advisor;
Invest in Others Catalyst Award;
Worth Magazine Top 250 Wealth Advisors List;
Massachusetts “Super Lawyer” List (6 times)
ThinkAdvisor’s LUMINARIES Class of 2022-2023
National Brain Tumor Society (Emeritus Board; Former Chairman of the Board; Former Board Member);
Cure GBM (Former Board Member);
Pediatric Cancer Cure (Former Board Member);
Nathanson Family Catalyst Fund for Brain Tumor Research (Co-Founder);
Nathanson Family Catalyst Fund for Cardiac Valve Research (Co-Founder);
Boston Children’s Hospital (Fundraiser and advocate);
Massachusetts Service Alliance (Former Member, Investment Committee Advisory Group);
Needham Historical Society (Former Trustee; Former Board Member);
Boston Bar Association Tax Section (Former Co-Chair);
Boston University Program for Financial Planners (Former Member, Board of Advisors)
Michael Nathanson, Chair and Chief Executive Officer of The Colony Group, is a highly respected and experienced leader in the wealth management industry. He is relentlessly dedicated to bringing meaning and joy to the lives of Colony Group clients and team members by fostering a culture that values lifelong learning, cultivates innovation, and offers opportunities to live lives full of passion and purpose.
Michael’s passion is reflected in the recognition he has received, having been selected ten times by Barron’s magazine as one of the top 100 independent financial advisors in the nation, included in Worth magazine’s list of the country’s top 250 wealth advisors and recognized as one of ThinkAdvisor’s 2022 LUMINARIES winners for Executive Leadership. He also was selected six times as a “Super Lawyer,” as published in Massachusetts Super Lawyers. He is most proud of The Colony Group being named as one of just 50 firms as a Best Place To Work for Financial Advisors by InvestmentNews.
As a lifelong learner, he is committed to sharing his knowledge and experience with clients, colleagues, and the next generation of industry leaders and is a frequent speaker at industry conferences. He also has served on the Fidelity Clearing and Custody Solutions Advisor Council and the Schwab Advisor Services Advisory Board. Previously, he served on the Board of Advisors for Boston University’s Program for Financial Planners and as Co-Chairman of the Boston Bar Association Tax Section.
Michael is a co-author of the book, Personal Financial Planning for Executives and Entrepreneurs: The Path to Financial Peace of Mind, and has frequently been interviewed and published on a wide variety of financial, tax, and legal topics by many national and local news outlets, including CNBC, MarketWatch, Reuters, Dow Jones, Bloomberg, Barron’s, the Wall Street Journal, Fox Business, Chief Executive, Financial Times, InvestmentNews, Financial Planning, Advisor Perspectives, Financial Advisor, Real Assets Adviser, the Boston Business Journal, and numerous journals and industry publications.
Michael is also passionate about public service. Having served as the Chairman of the Board of Directors of the National Brain Tumor Society for over five years, he now serves as a member of its Emeritus Board and also serves on the Boards of Cure GBM and Pediatric Cancer Cure. He was the recipient of the 2016 Catalyst Award from the Invest In Others Charitable Foundation for his work with the National Brain Tumor Society. He is the founder of the Nathanson Family Catalyst Fund for Brain Tumor Research and the Nathanson Family Catalyst Fund for Cardiac Valve Research. He is a former member of the Israel Bonds National New Leadership Board and also has served as a member of the Investment Committee advisory group of the Massachusetts Service Alliance and as a Trustee and Director of the Needham Historical Society.
Previously, Michael served as President, Chief Financial Officer, and General Counsel of The Colony Group. Prior to joining the firm, he was a Senior Partner at the international law firm of Wilmer Cutler Pickering Hale and Dorr LLP, where he held several leadership positions.
He earned his Juris Doctor, cum laude, from Harvard Law School, an LL.M. in Taxation from Boston University School of Law, and a Bachelor of Arts, summa cum laude, from Brandeis University, where he was elected to membership in Phi Beta Kappa and was the recipient of numerous academic honors.
Barron’s criteria: Barron’s ranks independent advisory firms weighing dozens of qualitative and quantitative components, including assets managed, the size and experience of teams, and the regulatory records of the advisors and firms. The Barron’s Top 100 list included Colony’s CEO for 2007 and 2009-2017, and the President of Mintz Levin Financial Advisors (MLFA) for 2007-2011, who, after MLFA merged into Colony in 2012, was included in the list for 2013-2015 while serving as Colony’s Vice-Chair. Colony’s CEO was ranked first among Massachusetts-based advisors in 2009, 2013, and 2016. Advisor’s assets under management, contribution to the firm’s revenues and profits, and quality of service.
Barron’s Hall of Fame (2019) criteria: Barron’s Hall of Fame is an award honoring a group of advisors who exemplify long-term success and commitment to their clients. Each member of the Hall of Fame has appeared in 10 or more of Barron’s annual Top 100 Advisor rankings, and their long-looking commitment to excellence is a hopeful example for the industry to follow. Michael Nathanson (CEO and Chair) was featured in Barron’s Hall of Fame list in 2019. Criteria for Top 100 Advisor includes assets managed, the size and experience of teams, and the regulatory records of the advisors and firms.
Invest in Others (2016) criteria: Nominations are evaluated based on an advisor’s leadership, dedication, contribution, inspiration, and impact on a nonprofit and the community it serves.
Super Lawyers criteria: Candidates are evaluated on 12 indicators of peer recognition and professional achievement. Selections are made on an annual, stateby– state basis. The list included Colony’s CEO, Michael Nathanson, from 2004-2009.
ThinkAdvisor LUMINARIES criteria: Candidates are evaluated by ThinkAdvisor’s editorial team based on the dynamic and inclusive ways that they are driving the wealth, investment and retirement industry forward. Michael Nathanson was recognized as one of the winners in the 2022 Executive Leadership category and in the 2023 Thought Leadership & Education category.
Worth Magazine criteria: Criteria for selection includes an individual advisor’s expertise, integrity, and dedication to the field of wealth management; portfolio management strategies; risk analysis; client service initiatives; and the educational and professional credentials of advisors. The Worth list included Colony’s CEO for 2008, MLFA’s President for 1999- 2003, and MLFA’s Executive VP for 1999, 2001-2002, and 2008.
What will the advisory world look like in the next ten years? The Colony Group's Michael Nathanson, CEO, shares his thoughts in this Financial Advisor Magazine.
As seen in Financial Advisor Financial “advice” has been available in our country since—and even before—its capitalistic origins, though it looked quite different in the more distant past. The content, form, delivery, consumers and providers of financial advice have evolved—dramatically—since “founding father” Benjamin Franklin advised that “a penny saved...
As we near the end of 2023, we face a rapidly evolving financial landscape. The Colony Group’s CEO and Chair, Michael Nathanson, shares the top 5 wealth management trends for 2024 with Barron’s.
What lies ahead for the financial industry for 2024? The Colony Group's Michael Nathanson, CEO and Chair, shares his predictions with Barron's.
Out of tens of thousands of companies rated on Comparably over the past 12 months, The Colony Group is recognized as one of the best in its Best Places to Work Awards: Best CEOs Best Company Culture Best Company for Women This year’s rankings were derived from a series...
As seen in Chief Executive. When CEOs intentionally contract some of their own power and presence, they enable others to lead and grow as leaders. The mystical 16th-century Lurianic Kabbalah offers an interesting extension of the traditional Judeo-Christian creation narrative, encapsulated by the Hebrew term “tzimtzum.” If you have...
As seen in Worth Magazine Philanthropy fosters family bonds, ensures business longevity, and provides a deeper sense of purpose beyond mere altruism. Mahatma Gandhi once said, “The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.” In our experience, those words ring true, as...
What are 5 M&A rules to break right now? The Colony Group's Michael Nathanson, Chair and CEO discuss in this recent Fidelity podcast.
ThinkAdvisor has recognized The Colony Group’s Chair and CEO, Michael Nathanson as one of its LUMINARIES Class of 2023 winners for Thought Leadership & Education. This year, the program highlights top-performing industry participants who produce meaningful results through efforts that matter most to advisors. Congratulations to the other class...
As seen in Chief Executive. The four primary warning signs that you are at risk for becoming a naked emperor. “The Emperor’s New Clothes” is a timeless children’s tale about what can happen when an arrogant leader hears only what he wants to hear and insists on being surrounded...
George Grombacher of Lifeblood interviews The Colony Group’s Chair and CEO, Michael Nathanson, and discusses his mission, vision, values, hobbies, and more. Tune in...
Contributions to colleges and universities are on the rise and helping donors plan for them is big business. Read what you should think about before donating to your alma mater in this recent Barron's article.
As seen in Chief Executive. Justice is the foundation of free societies. Despite its subjective nature, we expect it across all our interactions. Yet, we also understand that, at least in today’s world, justice is neither perfect nor consistently served. While great progress has been made to promote justice...
“I want to remain in control.” “Why would I want to give up control?” “But I would be giving up control.” I often hear these statements – and their derivatives, like “I’d rather be a big fish in a small pond” – from people who work alone or are...
As seen in Chief Executive. Even though it was proffered over 50 years ago and its main proponent admitted that it was intended as satire, the “Peter Principle” has managed to endure, proliferate, and become dogma for many companies and their leaders. Named for Dr. Laurence Peter and described...
WealthManagement.com recently announced the finalists for its 2023 Industry Awards, the “Wealthies”, to honor outstanding achievements by companies, organizations, and individuals that support financial advisor success. A record-breaking number of nominations were submitted this year – over 1,000 entries were received from over 400 companies. Congratulations to the other...
“Though not yet an industrywide movement, many financial advisors are now signaling a willingness — even a desire — to join the growing effort to improve financial literacy in this country. Many are already involved, some deeply so. It appears that two trends have contributed to this phenomenon. First,...
In the podcast, Focused on the Future, Suzanne Siracuse interviews The Colony Group’s Michael Nathanson, chair and CEO, to discuss keys to retaining top talent, setting up a sustainable firm for the future, and what we all can do to make an impact on our industry. Listen to the...
As seen in Chief Executive. Organizations that can crack the loyalty code will reap the benefits of low turnover and higher engagement. The mythology around workplace loyalty is vast, reflecting – as does all mythology – fear, drama, and a need to explain that which is difficult to explain....
As seen in Chief Executive. Organizational leaders must be more vigilant than ever in fostering a balanced environment that is receptive to all respectful perspectives. The consequences of failing to do so can lead not only to strife and dysfunction but also to the loss of critical opportunities that...
Financial Advisor Magazine covered The Colony Group's latest promotions and the future of their common vision. Read the full story here.
The Colony Group’s Chair and CEO, Michael Nathanson, recently spoke on Barron’s Way Forward podcast. Listen to the full episode and read the article...
As seen in Chief Executive. As organizational leaders increasingly embrace happiness in the workplace as a precondition for attracting and retaining top talent, they must also confront an important feature of human nature: we are prone to comparing ourselves with others. Most of us engage in this behavior daily,...
The Colony Group’s Michael Nathanson, CEO, and Chair, discusses California’s wealth tax proposal in this recent Bloomberg Tax article.
As seen in Chief Executive There is a certain pragmatism in gauging an organization’s success by referring to objective indicators. It does not follow, however, that there is wisdom in operating an organization with an overly exaggerated focus on what can be measured. Indeed, such a focus can have...
The Colony Group’s Michael Nathanson, CEO and Chair, discusses how “interdependence” helped to foster growth in this recent episode of Mindy Diamond on Independence podcast. In this episode, Michael shares his journey with Mindy Diamond, including: The Colony Group’s growth—and the concept of “interdependence” Our unique culture and family...
The Colony Group's Michael Nathanson spoke with Barrons in the article "Advisors Share the Keys to Long-Term Success". Read more here.
The Colony Group's Michael Nathanson was featured in Barron's Week's Best. Read more here.
The Colony Group’s CEO and Chair, Michael Nathanson was featured in Barron’s for his article “4 Bills in Congress That Could Break Through Gridlock and Affect Financial Advisors”. Read the full article in Barron’s...
The Colony Group's Michael Nathanson, was featured in Barron's recent article, "This Year’s Most Inspiring Stories From Financial Pros". Read the full article here.
The Colony Group's Michael Nathanson was recently featured in Barron's article "How Much Do You Expect to Grow Your Business in 2023? Advisors Weigh In." Read the full article here.
As seen in Chief Executive. A CEO’s most lasting legacy is often whom they choose to replace them. While CEOs must face the judgment of their stakeholders every day, the most meaningful and enduring judgment of their performance can only be rendered retrospectively. To be more specific, CEOs ultimately...
The Colony Group is thrilled to announce that our Chair and CEO Michael Nathanson has been recognized as one of ThinkAdvisor’s LUMINARIES Class of 2022 winners for Executive Leadership. Thirty-three individuals and organizations were selected by ThinkAdvisor’s editorial team for the dynamic and inclusive ways that they are driving...
The Colony Group’s CEO and Chair, Michael Nathanson writes about ESG and socially responsible investing in the article “How to Implement Sustainable Practices at Your Firm–and Avoid Backlash”. Read the full article in Barron’s here. ...
The Colony Group “has acquired 15 firms since 2012, helping grow its assets under management to $19 billion in the process.” Michael Nathanson, Chair and Chief Executive Officer, shares with Barron’s that “inorganic growth is about more than just getting bigger. He argues against imposing a unified culture throughout...
Nothing is ever certain when it comes to making financial predictions for any particular year so even the smartest and most comprehensive strategies may need tweaks to handle current conditions. Michael Nathanson, Chair and Chief Executive Officer, The Colony Group shares portfolio and financial planning ideas to help address the challenges we face in 2022.
What separates the industry’s most successful advisory firms from all the others? A key teaching from The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen Covey comes to mind.
A highly improbable story is unfolding in real time across the country, and it’s all true. It’s another story about political dysfunction, but it’s not one that most have heard yet, at least not in its entirety. It’s a story centered on taxes, in which the last two Presidents,...
Happy holidays to our Colony Group clients and friends! In 2021, our company celebrated 35 years since its founding in 1986. To reflect on this incredible milestone, our team members have come together for a special video message to share how we live our mission — bringing meaning and...
As appeared in Advisor Perspectives. It’s interesting to watch how corporate boards have been dealing with the seeming conflict between their fiduciary obligations to shareholders and the mounting pressure to consider the interests of other “stakeholders,” such as employees, customers, business partners, local communities, governments, and even the planet....
As appeared in Chief Executive. Mathematicians have long worked on and successfully devised formulaic approaches to understanding human behavior. From game theory to decision theory, it now seems increasingly clear that, as unpredictable as we humans can be, there in fact are mathematical constructs behind many of our decisions...
As Appeared in Chief Executive. Just about every internal work email we send starts with “Dear Team.” In fact, we talk about teams all the time in the workplace, even relabeling many of our “committees” as “teams.” For example, we no longer have an Executive Committee. We have an...
The time has come for a new asset allocation paradigm. If we seek to optimize the returns not just on our financial portfolios but on our lives, we must expand the way we think about investing to include both financial and non-financial asset classes. Why? Read full...
As Appeared in Thrive Global. When we ask people why they may want to join our company, a common answer we hear is that they want to be part of “building something.” And, when we ask people why they may not want to join our company, we often hear...
For us, however, this concept is broader than just financial therapy. It’s why we prefer to do far more than just financial assessments with our clients and strive to understand their values, life goals, family dynamics, passions, fears, and personalities.
The Colony Group’s Michael Nathanson, CEO and Chair, wrote for CNBC in the article, “The tax gap is a real problem but so, too, is the ‘reverse tax gap’”. Read the full article...
As appeared in Rethinking65. When The Colony Group, a Boston-based national financial advisory, wealth and business management firm with more than $13 billion in regulatory assets under management recently announced upcoming merger plans with Calabasas, Calif.-based Legacy Wealth Partners, we asked Colony CEO and Chairman Michael Nathanson how this...
Last week, three of the book’s 11 authors—Jeffrey T. Craig, senior wealth advisor for The Colony Group, Nadine Gordon Lee, president of The Colony Group Family Office and managing director of The Colony Group’s Metro NY Offices, and Michael J. Nathanson, chief executive officer and chair of The Colony Group—sat down with Worth to discuss the importance of goals-based financial planning, how to achieve financial peace of mind and why reaching financial independence can be even more complicated for business executives and entrepreneurs.
As appeared in Chief Executive. I applaud the efforts of organizational leaders who take well-considered steps to promote the core values of respect and inclusiveness. But can we agree that sometimes just a few not-so-well-considered words will undermine even the most carefully designed, well-intentioned actions? It’s time that we...
As appeared in Financial Advisor Magazine. The Colony Group’s Michael Nathanson wrote for Financial Advisor Magazine in the article “Preparing High Earners For Capital Gains Tax Hikes”. Read more...
As appeared in Chief Executive. Within the field of organizational studies, it seems well-settled that there is a difference between being a “manager” and a “leader.” Equally well-settled is the principle that some managers can and do evolve into leaders. But is there something beyond being a leader? Is...
As appeared in Chief Executive. For many years, I have been thinking, talking and writing about the evolutionary path of service organizations. By “service organizations,” I mean organizations that provide personal or professional services, including in the areas of finance, law, accounting, medicine, engineering, architecture and consulting. I have...
Life can be unpredictable, so how can a CEO cultivate resilience in an organization? "Every life event that happens to us is an invitation to ask if we are able to adapt ourselves and evolve," said Michael Nathanson in his interview on All Things Work podcast.
"Donating appreciated assets to charity could become an increasingly appealing way of minimizing a tax bite," said Michael Nathanson, in his WSJ interview — 'Biden’s Capital-Gains Tax Plan Would Upend Estate Planning by the Wealthy.'
"This was unlike anything we've experienced before," said Michael Nathanson. ""It was a one-in-100-year event." Even so, Nathanson added that they were able to adapt somewhat seamlessly to working in a remote environment.
As appeared in Chief Executive. I’ve always been interested in the growing convergence between individuals and their businesses. One particular trend in this growing intersection is a type of corporate personification in which companies now have visions and values – just like people – and people now have missions...
As appeared in Chief Executive. It’s a buzzword that pops up in hundreds, if not thousands, of articles, speeches, and books: “culture of abundance.” But what exactly is it? In theory, it’s a culture where everyone feels that there is no need to covet money, resources, time, power, recognition,...
Virtually all personal-service professions have moved toward specialization — and rightly so. Their clients have different needs and goals; and, to serve them effectively, these differences must be acknowledged and addressed with specificity. People with heart conditions seek out cardiologists. People with tax needs seek out tax accountants. People...
The Biden Administration has proposed sweeping changes to the tax code that could affect your taxes in many areas, including personal income, employment, estate, gift, and corporate taxes. With the Senate split 50-50, are these changes likely to happen, and, if so, when? How should you prepare your family...
As appeared in Chief Executive. Behind the buzzword is a basic human value—one that can’t necessarily be incentivized through traditional reward but can be cultivated as part of a great culture. “Accountability” has become quite the buzz word in recent years – so much so that there is now...
How does The Colony Group approach segmenting clients? Michael Nathanson shares how prioritizing clients' needs and delivering differentiated services is the right approach for them.
As appeared in Financial Advisor Magazine. While the year 2020 will be remembered primarily for the Covid-19 pandemic, social and racial injustices, and political division, it also will be remembered for its historic economic swings. The year has seen record unemployment, unparalleled market drawdowns, and a sudden end to...
As appeared in Chief Executive Magazine. Several years ago, I wrote an article called “What’s on Your Company’s Dashboards?” At the time, I had been thinking quite a bit about how best to measure my company’s performance and ensure that it practiced team-wide accountability. In the article, I listed...
As appeared in WealthManagement.com. With many charities struggling to raise funds and meet expanding demand during the pandemic, philanthropy, a term that literally means “love of humankind,” has become exponentially more important. For most people who have the means to rise to the challenge, philanthropy takes the form of...
Read Michael Nathanson's fascinating cover story featuring his "iconoclastic career as a change agent.'
As Appeared in Thrive Global On average, I work about 56 hours per week. Coincidentally, I also sleep (or try to sleep) about 56 hours each week, leaving me another 56 hours to spend time with family and friends, eat, exercise, and possibly even find some time to read...
As appeared in Chief Executive The world is too complex and too large for anyone to understand all its wonders. But if we are willing to settle for a full appreciation of the many things we do know and the many more things we do not know, then there is but one path...
“To make it simple, clients wanted emotional wellness, physical wellness and financial wellness” and to focus on “helping their families live better lives and happier lives,” says Michael Nathanson.
With the election just around the corner, we thought it would be helpful to alert you to some of the tax planning ideas we are currently considering for clients. Normally, year-end tax planning is focused on one simple concept: defer income and accelerate deductions. This year, however, the opposite...
“Evolution is the key word,” says Michael Nathanson as he talks about the future of financial advice and The Colony Group's Curated by Colony platform on The Way Forward podcast.
“We’ll find a cure faster with the help of the nonprofit community,” says Michael Nathanson regarding the devastating effects that nonprofits and grassroots organizations are feeling due to the pandemic.
As appeared in Barron’s. I recently did an internet search for the “evolution of advice.” The results were telling. Most of them related to technological advances and the growing use of financial technology, now ubiquitously known as “fintech”. Some related to “robo-advisors”, and a few others related to the...
As Appeared in Chief Executive As a CEO who spends countless hours studying, nurturing and yes, obsessing, over every nuance of our company’s culture, I was intrigued when I read a recent email from a trusted advisor, whom I’ll call “Jill.” Jill, who has observed the growth of our...
As appeared in Financial Advisor Employers need good employee incentive plans so that the interests of their firms and companies are aligned with the needs and wants of their key people. That’s a reality supported not only by empirical studies but also by plain logic. And it’s true for both...
The Colony Group launched a novel life-enrichment platform to complement and enhance our core wealth and business management platforms. We are offering our clients an entirely new type and level of service focused not only on meeting their broad needs but also on enriching the very quality of their...
To celebrate his 700th podcast, George Grombacher interviewed Michael Nathanson about his contributions and why aspiring to have an impact beyond yourself is so important.
As Appeared in CNBC There is nothing like a precipitous decline of nearly 35%, followed by a swift rise of about 50% in the S&P 500 index — all within the span of five months — to motivate people to bust out the old cliché “buy low, sell high.” Ah,...
Our CEO, Michael Nathanson, opens up to Mike Consol in a fascinating conversation about being a lifelong learner and how that central tenet has guided his amazing life's journey from attending Harvard Law School to CEO of a national wealth management company.
As Appeared in Financial Advisor The continued adoption of investment strategies that incorporate environmental, social and governance (ESG) considerations is undeniable. Positive asset flows, new strategy innovations and growing media coverage all point to the maturation of an investing trend into a more regular fixture of portfolio construction. Some...
Michael Nathanson, Chairman & CEO, shares his journey to the helm of The Colony Group and what keeps him inspired to live a thousand lives in a candid interview.
As Appeared in MarketWatch The U.S. is on the verge of the Great Wealth Transfer, with baby boomers expected to bestow trillions of dollars on younger generations in the coming years. To prepare for this shift, the financial services industry is rapidly adapting to serve millennials, increasingly focusing on...
As Appeared on CNBC Every four years, as we approach the U.S. presidential election, we reflect on the wide-ranging implications of each potential outcome. As is always the case, much is at stake during the current cycle, including how best to address the new and old challenges facing our...
Regulation Best Interest or Reg BI may add more confusion for consumers of financial advice. Michael Nathanson unpacks the important details that consumers need to know in his article.
Well, this tax season sure has been different. Most obviously, it’s been thoroughly disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic, which has made it difficult for taxpayers and their return preparers to access information, assemble and transpose it into formal returns, and, for some, pay the taxes owed. It got even more unusual when the federal and most state governments extended the traditional April...
In Michael Nathanson's latest Chief Executive magazine article, he challenges the leadership of companies to reflect on their own code of ethics during these tumultuous times by asking themselves some tough, yet revealing questions. How will you and your company respond to your answers?
How can an organization take advantage of their differences to improve their future survival and success? Michael Nathanson shares how embracing imperfections can create a stronger, happier culture.
As appeared in Family Wealth Report Even though stocks have rallied, the sudden and precipitous decline in the equity markets earlier this year caused many registered investment advisors to reevaluate their business models. The disclosure by many advisors that, after only a few weeks of heavy market losses, they...
What could the next stimulus package look like if it's designed to stimulate the economy? Michael Nathanson, Chairman & Chief Executive Officer of The Colony Group, lays out a more sustainable approach to stimulate hiring, investment, and spending using targeted tax policy in his Fox Business article.
Some of the most popular video games of all time allow “players” to insert themselves virtually into a legendary rock band, assume the role of a band member, and experience what it’s like to play some of the greatest music of the last 50 years. It’s quite a thrill...
Lawyers are not immune to pay cuts during this pandemic. Michael Nathanson, CEO of The Colony Group, shares what you should and should not do to adapt to your new normal if your income has been cut.
According to Matt Ilteris, Senior Wealth Adviser of The Colony Group, not only is withdrawing from a retirement account a bad move but refraining from reducing deposits to such accounts may be in a lawyer's best interest if they're able to do so.
As Appeared in Chief Executive Magazine As the CEO of a national company that strives to deliver value, I’ve been intrigued by a Harvard Business Review article, “The Elements of Value,” written by Eric Almquist, John Senior, and Nicolas Bloch. In this article, the authors imagine a value pyramid...
In the midst of a pandemic, you might have more time to read. Michael Nathanson shares his top 20 business books and why one popular book didn't make his list.
Listen to Michael's interview with David Yas with the Boston Podcast Network.
Dawn Doebler and Michael Nathanson share the top questions clients are asking right now via Worth Media.
Business leaders tell Worth Media what books they're reading while in quarantine. Guess what book Michael Nathanson is recommending for business owners.
As Appeared in MarketWatch Watch an interview with the authors discussing what inspired them to write this article and why it is important to continue supporting organizations with critical missions. The coronavirus pandemic is taking a tremendous human and an economic toll, and it’s also impacting charitable organizations in...
By now, your company probably has implemented some form of “social distancing” in response to the rapid spread of COVID-19. In addition to requiring employees to work remotely, companies have moved to virtual meetings, restricting travel, and limiting the number of designated on-site personnel who are necessary to fulfill...
Great books to help inspire during challenging times. Michael Nathanson shared his choice with Financial Planning magazine.
Everyone knows that CEOs need to be confident, unwavering and strong, right? CEOs have bold visions for the future, and their relentless pursuit of those visions can be so powerful that they almost force their eventual attainment, regardless of whatever may happen along the way. But the world seems...
By now, you’ve probably heard just about every variety of prediction for the U.S. economy and financial markets. While those predictions are all over the place, I’m struck by the consistency among prognosticators when it comes to the key risks about which we should be concerned. Along with the headline...
These are for-profit organizations that aren't looking to race to zero, said Michael Nathanson in Barron's. Price competition may be creating incentives for brokers to increase revenue in other areas.
“In short, it’s had little short-term effect on us, but it has further inspired us to innovate at the fastest rate in our 34-year history,” said Michael Nathanson about zero commissions of online brokerages.
As the longest bull market in modern U.S. history just keeps on rolling, have you noticed that many people have become less comfortable talking about their investments? It’s almost as though the topic of personal investing has joined the ranks of politics and religion at holiday tables. Remember the...
While we may not yet have a sense for its magnitude, the year 2019 will likely go down in history as one of the most significant and impactful for the independent advisory industry. It was shaped by four key developments: 1. The SEC’s refusal to impose the fiduciary standard...
Why are some financial advisory firms more successful than others? Why do some become better over time while others stagnate, eventually fading into oblivion? Is there a single secret of success for these businesses? The answers to these questions are usually complex, feature lists and go something like this:...
As appeared in Financial Advisor Magazine There’s no denying that longevity is increasing in the U.S. and throughout much of the world. Recent legislation like The SECURE Act, passed on May 23 by the House of Representatitves, is beginning to recognize this trend and the potentially far-reaching implications on...
Find out what the new alimony deduction rules are on a state-by-state basis and if they may apply to...
As Appeared in Advisor Perspectives. As financial planning evolves from a practice into a science, there is growing recognition that its main subject matter – people – is a collection of few constants and many variables. Financial planning for lawyers or doctors differs from corporate executives to account for...
One of today’s hottest tax topics is the relatively new concept of “qualified opportunity zones,” created by the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) at the end of 2017. Many are feverishly broadcasting the potential tax benefits of investing in “qualified opportunity funds,” and, indeed, these new provisions are...
Thirty years ago, the term financial advice commonly referred to a limited subset of services, with an emphasis on investment management. Over the interim years, more advisors expanded to retirement-planning services. And, more recently, demand grew for a more holistic approach to financial advice. What should clients expect from...
Clients are asking more than ever of their advisors. Routine conversations around having enough to retire, saving for college, or leaving a financial legacy have become more robust as individuals have come to recognize that these matters have both financial and non-financial impacts on their lives. The emergence of...
As appeared in Financial Advisor Magazine Given the results of last November’s election, a repeal of the federal estate tax is now a distinct possibility faced by an entire generation of people who, only a few months ago, were planning for potential increases to the tax. President Donald Trump...
As seen in Advisors Perspectives The heated nature of the rhetoric surrounding the fiduciary standard has reached a new high, focusing on whether investment advisors should offer certain investment products and how they should be compensated. We contend that firms must also consider whether their succession plans and service...
As appeared in Financial Advisors Magazine As the world has grown more complex, so too have the opportunities, challenges and conditions that comprise the environment in which we live and interact with one another. A direct consequence of this ever-increasing complexity is the manner in which professional advisory firms—particularly...
As appeared in Private Wealth It is, of course, most appropriate that financial advisors seek to prepare their clients in advance of a major liquidity event such as the sale of a business, a public offering, or a similar event. An experienced, knowledgeable, and creative advisor can figuratively perform...
Just about everyone who has read this week’s financial headlines must be wondering about all the fuss surrounding the Department of Labor and the “fiduciary” standard being imposed on certain advisors. What does it all mean, and what specifically does it mean for investors? Well, the basic answer to...
As appeared in Financial Advisor Magazine Planning for a person’s financial future without accounting for their individual profession is like planning to perform surgery without first taking the patient’s medical history. Well, maybe that’s a bit dramatic, as the dangers of failure are probably greater for the surgeon and...
As appeared in PrivateWealth For many collectors, artwork can be far more than something to enjoy and display for the pleasure of others. It can be a valuable and even important component of a well-diversified investment portfolio. Indeed, in some cases, art collectors can achieve substantial, non-correlated returns if...
As is the case in any service industry, the best advisory firms focus their efforts primarily on (1) client service and satisfaction, (2) employee development, utilization, and organization, and (3) the efficient, profitable operation of their businesses in a manner that promotes a sustained pattern of growth in that...
As appeared in InvestmentNews As wealth advisers, we spend our days elbow deep in portfolio management, estate planning, market analysis and other endeavors important to the financial success — and ultimate satisfaction — of our clients. Yet more goes into building a truly exceptional client experience than an adviser’s...
As appeared in FinancialAdvisorsIQ For a client-centric practice, there is no more critical indicator of future success than the composition of its team. Thus, every advisory firm’s top priority should be acquiring, developing and retaining the best possible people, who in turn can provide the best possible service to...