NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--AIQ, Inc. today launched AdviceIQ, a groundbreaking online directory of trusted financial advisors and publisher of syndicated personal finance content and advisor rankings. Advisors appearing in AdviceIQ are certified to have passed the strictest industry regulatory due diligence, ensuring the directory is comprised of only fully vetted financial advisors. Designed to provide consumers with rich personal finance content, AdviceIQ also employs geo-targeting technology so investors can locate financial advisors in their neighborhood who are well matched to each investor’s special needs.
AdviceIQ’s proprietary Regulatory Compliance Review (RCR™) attests to the quality of an advisor’s compliance history. This due diligence encompasses the entire disciplinary and complaint history of all four major U.S. regulators: Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA), Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), State regulators who license Investment Advisor Representatives and State Insurance Commissioners. Investment firms pay an annual subscription fee to have each financial advisor undergo the RCR™ screening. Only advisors who successfully pass the vetting process may have their profiles posted on the AdviceIQ website (www.adviceiq.com). The RCR™ screening prevents advisors with serious infractions from appearing in the published listings and rankings. It also excludes advisors censured by one regulator, who then move to another financial services industry and would otherwise escape scrutiny.
In addition to profiles, AdviceIQ publishes advisor-contributed articles on wealth management, investing and the advisor/consumer relationship, advisor rankings and original personal finance articles under the direction of Editor-in-Chief Larry Light, formerly Deputy Editor of Personal Finance for The Wall Street Journal. AdviceIQ also syndicates content through media partners. Current partners include Morningstar, The Online Investor, The Motley Fool, and the high net worth publications of Penton including National Real Estate Investor, Retail Traffic, and Lodging & Hospitality.
“Our singular goal is to help investors access fully-vetted, trustworthy advisors who can help them take charge of their wealth and financial planning,” commented Nicholas W. Stuller, President and CEO of AIQ, Inc. “Our research and due diligence process reduces consumer exposure to advisors that have egregiously violated securities law. With AdviceIQ as a point of validation, listed advisors are effectively positioned to distinguish and locally promote their brands, reinforce client relationships and reach new prospects. We are excited to show investors the virtues, quality and worthiness of the retail financial professional,” Mr. Stuller concluded.
A growing number of broker-dealers and other advisor platform firms have subscribed to AdviceIQ to vet and showcase their advisors. Over 2,000 Advisors have passed AdviceIQ’s RCR™ due diligence audit. Profiles are approved and monitored by each firm’s compliance officer. Participating firms include American Portfolios Financial Services, Securities Service Network, and well known Registered Investment Adviser firms including Evensky & Katz, XPYRIA Investment Advisors and Financial Security Advisory, Inc. The Financial Planning Association has also entered into an agreement with AdviceIQ so that its members can avail themselves of the RCR™ due diligence process.
About AIQ, Inc:
AIQ, Inc. publishes the popular Meridian-IQ suite of Financial Advisor directories, licensed by over 330 major fund companies, broker-dealers and insurance companies for industry research and marketing purposes. AIQ is led by a veteran Wall Street team who are subject matter experts on retail financial advisors and investing. Its latest product, www.AdviceIQ.com , combines daily personal financial journalism with listings and rankings of pre-vetted Advisors. AdviceIQ betters the lives of investors by providing listings and rankings of vetted local financial professionals.