July 2025 NAPFA Advisor Magazine

July 2025 NAPFA Advisor Magazine - Full Issue

NAPFA Advisor | July 2025

Issue: July 2025

Full Issue

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July 16, 2025

Content:
INSIDE THIS ISSUE FEATURES

INSIDE THIS ISSUE

LETTER FROM NAPFA

This issue explores financial technology and compliance, a timely theme that reflects both the promise and responsibility of today’s advisory landscape. Plus, learn a bit about the Summer Leadership Meeting and Fall National Conference.

VOLUNTEER SPOTLIGHT

Sharon Rich, She/Her
Meet a trailblazer whose contributions to NAPFA in the ‘90s solidified her as an advocate for women and the LGBTQ+ community. Sharon notes that NAPFA helped her build professional networks, continue her education, and develop her business through valuable PR opportunities.

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Learn about your NAPFA benefits.

FOCUS ON TECHNOLOGY

Making Technology Work: A Pragmatic Approach
By Shaun Kapusinski
Discover that the most powerful technology strategy isn't necessarily about having the most cutting-edge tools—but truly understanding and maximizing what you've already invested in. Learn practical steps applicable to any firm.

FOCUS ON FINTECH TOOLS

How the Best Fintech Tools Make Financial Advisory Firms More Human
By Derek Notman, CFP^®There’s a beautiful irony in today’s fintech boom: the smartest tools out there aren’t replacing human advisors—they’re making us more human. Sounds like something a charming AI assistant would, right? But stick with me.

FOCUS ON OPERATIONAL EXCELLENCE

From Reactive to Proactive: A Framework for Operational Excellence in Your RIA
By Kate Guillen
Operational structure isn’t just a back-office issue; it’s the foundation of how your team delivers on the promise you make to every client. In a competitive, high-trust business like financial planning, your ability to consistently execute is your differentiator.

FEATURES

COACHES CORNER

AI and Advisor Profitability
By Mike Byrnes
The advancements in artificial intelligence (AI) are no longer science fiction. Changes are happening at a pace never seen before. To think significant transformations are not on the horizon is foolish.

COMPLIANCE CORNER

Regulatory Update for State-Registered Advisers
By Scott Snipkie, J.D.
Expect the states to move in and pick up the mantle of enforcement and regulation. We were already seeing the states filling regulatory space, and in an unexpected area: custody, or better put, operational solutions for custody.

PRACTICAL OBSERVATIONS

Tech is the Problem—And May Be the Solution
By Bob Veres
It seems like all we can talk about these days is tech. The advisors I talk with will complain about it, or wonder where it’s taking us, or worry about whether, somewhere down the road, it will start to replace them. (It won’t.)