In The News

How To Help Clients Who Own Businesses In Declining Industries

Having difficult but necessary conversations with clients is what makes a professional so valuable. CEO and Co-Founder Brett Bernstein believes honesty and compassion are most important when interacting with a client who is a business owner in a declining market. He explains the benefits of using the “sandwich approach” – incorporating more uplifting or constructive observations while still addressing the current challenge in a recent Financial Advisor Magazine.

Annuities Are Popular Amid Volatility. But Critics Remain.

The complexity of annuities continues to increase as they become more attractive. CEO and Co-Founder Brett Bernstein explained in a recent Financial Advisor Magazine article that the ambiguity often arises because insurance carriers offer an abundance of annuity benefits based on different types of annuities. Read the full article

Estate Planning And Its Role Within Our Life Transitions With Michelle Cooper (Ep.10)

What does estate planning mean to you?

“If you have children under 18 or assets you want to leave to someone, you need a will,” explains Michelle Cooper, partner and director at XML-W, on a recent episode of Financial Advisor Magazine Invest in Women podcast.

Developing an estate plan should include considerations for possible life transitions such as divorce, childbirth or death. This approach will ultimately protect the estate and ease the process for an advisor and their client during such circumstances.

Listen to the full episode

The NextGen Boom: Are You Ready?

Financial planning and wealth management are often associated with older generations, but millennials can also benefit from financial advisors. In a recent Financial Advisor Magazine article, President Curtis Congdon discusses the importance of gaining and maintaining the trust of younger clients. Read the full article here

M&A Decline: New Trough Or Brief Bump?

Are drops in RIA M&A activity a sign of a bigger trend or a short-term slowdown?

CEO and Co-Founder Brett Bernstein told Family Wealth Report: “Yes, there are headwinds now, but we’re asking firms how we can help them navigate those headwinds. The opportunities in the market are still massive.”

What To Do With Client Cash Now That Interest Rates Are Up

What are the professionals saying about higher interest rates and cash? Our CEO and Co-Founder Brett Bernstein chimes in with other professionals on popular cash options in this Financial Advisor Magazine. Read the story:

Companies Are Still Boosting Capital Spending Despite Higher Rates

Major companies in the U.S. are spending more this year on capital projects despite continued concerns about a recession. That has made XML Senior Wealth Advisor Eric Wightman bullish on industrial stocks. Read more from The Wall Street Journal:

Keep Your Eye On The Prize: Financial, Energy, & Industrial Stocks

Recently, Senior Wealth Advisor J Eric Wightman joined Oliver Renick on TD Ameritrade Network, where he talked about investing in a high inflation environment and market segments to keep an eye on – like finance, energy, industrial stocks and more.

Watch the full interview here:

Top Financial Professionals

Congratulations to our CEO and Co-Founder Brett Bernstein on being listed as a Top Financial Professional in Bethesda Magazine & Bethesda Beat! We appreciate the recognition by his peers.

Bethesda Magazine sent a survey to hundreds of financial professionals in Montgomery County and Upper Northwest D.C. asking, “If you had a close friend or relative who needed financial planning advice, and you could not handle the case yourself, to whom would you refer them?” The resulting list represents those who earned the greatest number of endorsements from their peers.

FAs Weigh In: Transitioning Clients Through a Merger or Acquisition

When financial advisory firms are planning a merger or acquisition, it’s critical to prepare clients for the pending changes. Mark Samson is a senior partner at Samson Wealth Management Group, a division of XML Financial Group. Samson’s firm, Samson Wealth, merged with XML earlier this year. Samson recently told Financial Advisor IQ that clear and concise communication with clients throughout the process is essential. His firm was sure to explain the benefits of the merger, along with the new tools and resources to which they will have access. Read the story here

FAs Weigh In: Transitioning Clients Through a Merger or Acquisition

Read the story here

America’s Top RIA Firms

XML is thrilled to announce we have been named to the inaugural list of Top RIA Firms in America by Forbes and SHOOK Research. It is an honor to be in the top 100 firms. We appreciate the commitment of our advisors to our client relationships through both the prosperous and turbulent times. Read More

Data as of December 31, 2021. Coverage period is 2021. America’s Top Registered Investment Advisor Firms ranking was developed by SHOOK Research and is based on data submitted by the participant, in-person, virtual or telephone due diligence meetings and a ranking algorithm that includes: a measure of best practices, client retention, industry experience, review of compliance records, firm nominations; and quantitative criteria, including assets under management and revenue generated for their firms. Investment performance is not a criterion because client objectives and risk tolerance vary, and advisors rarely have audited performance reports. Neither SHOOK nor Forbes receive compensation from XML in exchange for its Registered Investment Advisor Firm placements or rankings, which are determined independently. Participation in this directory is limited to ranked firms; once placed on a ranking, firms may choose to pay fees to Forbes and Shook for premium listing features as indicated by highlighted names. XML paid no such fees. SHOOK’s research and rankings provide opinions intended to help investors choose the right financial advisor or firm and not indicative of future performance or representative of any one client’s experience. Investors must carefully choose the right advisor or firm for their own situation and perform their own due diligence. For more information, please see www.SHOOKresearch.com , SHOOK is a registered trademark of SHOOK Research, LLC.

For Some Retiring Clients, Paying Off The Mortgage No Longer The Best Advice

As mortgage rates continue to fluctuate, some financial advisors are shifting away from traditional strategies and advising clients to defer paying their mortgages off before retirement. In a recent Financial Advisor Magazine article, CEO and Co-Founder Brett Bernstein recommends evaluating whether investing those funds would generate more income and growth versus paying off your mortgage.

Read the full article

The LTCi evolution: insurers search for a successful formula

Seventy percent of adults over 65 will require long-term care, but just over 2% of Americans have a long-term care insurance policy. In a recent InsuranceNewsNet article, Wealth Advisor Kevin Patrick Peters addresses the importance of having long-term care insurance and explains how insurers have adopted technology to increase benefits.

Read the full article here

How to Prepare and Protect Your Finances as the Economy Shifts

President Curtis Congdon shared tips on preparing and protecting finances for economic uncertainty in a Northern Virginia Magazine article. Curtis explains how people can take advantage of the market by following healthy spending habits and investing wisely.

Read the full article here

So What Else

We are excited to support the 2022 So What Else Palooza! This Friday, our community will celebrate the efforts So What Else has made to improve the lives of children and families through its services and resources. To learn more, visit:

How to avoid the dividend stock ‘yield trap’

Dividend stocks should be a standard in investment portfolios at this point. While not all

dividend stocks are created the same, if they pay out well and increase, they are boons to

investors. Rob Kantor, XML Financial Group Co-CIO and Co-founder, discusses the topic in Financial Planning.

THE BULLIS ENTREPRENEURSHIP DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCES THEIR ENTREPRENEURS IN RESIDENCE FOR 2022-2023

The Bullis School’s Entrepreneurship Department recently unveiled their Entrepreneurs in Residence (EIRs) for the coming academic year, and we are proud to announce that XML CEO & Co-Founder Brett Bernstein will be one of the three EIRs for 2022–2023.

Brett will mentor, coach, advise, and guide Bullis Capstone students as they apply what they’ve learned in the classroom to creating and launching their own start-ups. Congratulations, Brett!

To learn more about the EIR program, visit

Birth of LTCi: Fatal miscalculations spur decades of angst

Many people purchase long-term care insurance to prepare for old age. In a recent InsuranceNewsNet article, Wealth Advisor Kevin Peters shares his professional and personal experiences helping clients understand the misconceptions, risks and benefits of long-term care insurance. Read the full article here

IBD Elite 2022: Which independent brokerages have the biggest RIAs?

In light of Financial Planning‘s annual IBD Elite survey, CEO and Co-Founder Brett Bernstein provides insight on the importance of RIAs maintaining broker-dealer affiliations to offer clients a comprehensive range of services and options to address their unique needs. Read the full article for more information: Read the full story

FAs Weigh In: Estate Planning Hurdles

Do you have estate planning concerns? In this recent Financial Advisor IQ survey, CEO and Co-Founder Brett Bernstein elaborates on the future of estate planning following the 2026 tax code repeal:

Read the full story

FAs Weigh In: Crypto in 401(k)s Acceptable for Some, ‘No-Fly Zone’ for Others

In a recent Financial Advisor IQ survey, CEO and Co-Founder Brett Bernstein addressed whether cryptocurrencies should be included in retirement plans. Like company stocks, Brett believes there should be limitations on cryptocurrency ownership to minimize risk exposure to 401k plans. To read more, visit:

Read the full story

Tech stocks are back in the market’s driver’s seat

A recent Fidelity Investments article features Senior Wealth Advisor Eric Wightman’s response on navigating the current market rally by reducing his allocation to consumer staples, utilities and healthcare stocks and returning to tech stocks.

Read the full story

FAs Weigh In: Crypto? Not Yet

Cryptocurrency has generated a lot of buzz within the financial industry. In a recent Financial Advisor IQ survey, CEO and Co-Founder Brett Bernstein explains cryptocurrency benefits but urges people to fully understand the risks. Read the full article:

FAs Weigh In: Clients Asking, ‘Am I OK?’

Can allocation shifts based on interest rates, market volatility and inflation benefit my portfolio? “Overall, through diversification and not trying to market time things, we can provide the majority of the success to your financial plan. But sometimes tweaks here and there can add alpha to your portfolio,” said CEO and Co-Founder Brett Bernstein in this Financial Advisor IQ story. Read the full story

What Does The Bear Market Mean For Retirees?

Bear markets pose unique financial and emotional challenges for people living in retirement. This article explains how retirees can effectively navigate those challenges.

Read the full story

BRK/B, GS, USB: Best Stocks To Invest In Now

In a recent TD Ameritrade Network interview, XML Senior Wealth Advisor Eric Wightman discusses navigating a trader’s market and the possibility of the S&P dropping. He also shares which market indicators and stocks investors should be monitoring.

Watch the full segment for more details:

How Client Segmentation Can Boost Advisors’ Bottom Line

Although client segmentation has advantages, it can be quite complex regarding mergers. In a recent Barron’s article, XML CEO and Co-Founder Brett Bernstein discusses the challenges associated with client segmentation and acquired accounts, such as balancing different cultures and levels of services.

Read the full story

Higher pay and lifestyle benefits put wealth advisors in the driver’s seat

The No. 1 reason advisors leave for a competitor is dissatisfaction with their compensation. XML CEO and Co-Founder Brett Bernstein told Financial Planning that firms “must be willing to pay advisors” or they will seek better salaries elsewhere.

Read the full article to discover what is driving advisor movement.

FAs Weigh In: New SEC Marketing Rule ‘Absolutely Beneficial’

XML CEO and Co-Founder Brett Bernstein addresses the firm’s strategy for implementing client testimonials for future marketing purposes in this recent Financial Advisor IQ survey: Read the full story

The risky side of tax-loss harvesting that advisors need to know

Can tax-loss harvesting improve your investment returns? Yes – but it can be dangerous, especially during a volatile market.

XML CEO and Co-Founder, Brett Bernstein, spoke with Financial Planning about the downside of tax-loss harvesting – his thoughts: Staying with the same shares can mean an investor misses “significant rebounds” in other industries.

Read the full story

Top 50 Fastest-Growing Firms

The entire team at XML Financial Group is thrilled to share that we have been recognized as #10 in Financial Advisor Magazine’s annual Top 50 Fastest-Growing firms list.

Data as of December 31, 2021. Coverage period is 2021. Eligibility criteria: Firms with more than $500 million in AUM. Growth in Assets 2020-21. XML paid no fees to be in said ranking. For additional information on FA’s 2022 Top 50 Fastest Growing Firms list and FA’s 2022 RIA Survey & Ranking list, please visit here.

Advisors Reveal Their Low-Vol Picks

In a recent interview by VettaFi, XML President, Curtis Congdon, explains why he prefers the Legg Mason Low Volatility High Dividend ETF (LVHD) to minimize exposure during a volatile market. LVHD utilizes a strategy that produces increased stability and higher yield than other ETFs. Read the full story

When to Sell Stocks at a Loss

Are you thinking about selling stocks at a loss due to recent market declines? XML CEO and Co-Founder, Brett Bernstein, reminds investors about the wash-sale rule in a recent U.S. News article. To avoid missing out on possible rebounds, investors should be mindful that they cannot repurchase securities or one that is substantially similar for a period of time. Read the full story

How to manage your money during a recession, according to personal finance experts

Due to persistent warnings that the U.S. economy could enter a recession this year, investors should know how to protect their portfolios. In a recent article by Fortune, CEO Brett Bernstein discusses the importance of maintaining an appropriate asset allocation and adjusting portfolios depending on market conditions. Read the full article for more tips on protecting your portfolio:

Read the full story

XML Completes Merger with Samson Wealth Management Group

We are glad to report that we have completed our merger with Pennsylvania-based Samson Wealth Management. This strategic decision will dramatically expand our Mid-Atlantic footprint and allow us to put even more resources into the hands of our clients.

Worried about inflation? Here are 6 takes for retirement portfolios

Current inflation rates have sparked panic. But financial planners, like XML Financial Group, use historical averages for inflation and plan for the “what-if” scenarios. Recently, CEO and Co-Founder Brett Bernstein spoke with Financial Planning on inflation and retirement. Read the full story

5 Tips For Retiring In A Bear Market

Along with high inflation and the looming threat of a recession, the current bear market may be a good reason to delay your retirement if possible. But if you can’t, this article outlines the steps you can take to minimize the impact:

Read the full story

Covid’s Effect On Long-Term-Care Insurance

The pandemic has made everyone think more about mortality and their health, which has attracted attention to long-term care insurance. Recently, wealth advisor Kevin Patrick Peters spoke with Financial Advisor on how insurance rates may increase due to COVID-19 and other factors. Read the full story

Financial Planning and Wealth Management Panel Discussion: April 27

XML Financial Group is committed to shaping future professionals by actively engaging in the community. Senior Wealth Advisor, Lauren O’Brien, is participating in George Mason University’s Financial Planning & Wealth Management networking event on April 27 to discuss opportunities the finance industry has to offer. We are thankful for the opportunity to make a difference among young professionals.

Consider Owning These ETFs

New ETFs continue to rise almost daily. Navigating which you should add to your portfolio can seem like a formidable task. Co-CIO & Co-Founder Rob Kantor discussed one of our core ETF holdings at XML Financial Group. Want to learn more? Read the full ETF.com story

Diving Into Avelo Airlines’ Big Push For Pilots

Did you join our recent webinar with Avelo Airlines? Through the webinar, Andrew Levy, CEO and Founder of Avelo, spoke with XML CEO Brett Bernstein about navigating the opportunities and challenges of introducing a new airline during a pandemic. Simple Flying covered the webinar and what was discussed. Learn more about what was covered

Using ETFs To Solve For Fixed Income

We anticipated rates would rise and acted accordingly. CIO and Co-Founder Rob Kantor saw the writing on the wall and positioned clients in shorter and medium-duration fixed income investments. He tells ETF.com how we’ve shifted toward ETFs that could benefit from inflation in the article below.

Advisory Firms Embrace Flexwork Schedules To Preserve Talent

Talent retention has always been a priority, but the pandemic has made it paramount. XML CEO Brett Bernstein discusses changes the firm has offered to keep and attract good employees during Covid-19 in this Financial Advisor story

5 expensive mistakes shoppers make during the holiday season, according to financial planners

The holiday season is upon us and sticking to a budget can be hard. To combat this, many consumers chose to buy now, pay later on purchases. While this sounds like a great option, it can hurt your overall credit. Recently, XML CEO Brett Bernstein spoke with Business Insider on the common mistakes shoppers make during the holiday season. Read more

Power Women: Michelle Cooper of XML Financial Group On How To Successfully Navigate Work, Love and Life As A Powerful Woman

XML-W Director and Co-founder Michelle Cooper was recently featured in Authority Magazine’s Power Women series, designed to explore how successful, strong and powerful woman navigate and balance work, employee relationships, love and life. Read the in-depth conversation

Should Annuity Buyers Time the Market?

When it comes to annuities, there’s no good or bad time to buy. However, a variety of factors can affect your payout. There are also many different types of annuities that can serve as bond substitutes or as accumulation vehicles. Recently, XML CEO Brett Bernstein spoke with ThinkAdivsor about how individuals should evaluate annuity investments. Learn more

Do Advisors Need a Financial Therapist on Their Team?

Psychology and investing? This could be a surprise to some but psychology and investing often go together. Recently, XML CEO Brett Bernstein spoke with Barron’s about how much psychology plays a role when it comes to investments and financial planning. Interested in learning more? Read more

XML Financial Group Named To 2020 Financial Times 300 Top Registered Investment Advisers

XML Financial Group is pleased to announce it has been named to the 2020 edition of the Financial Times 300 Top Registered Investment Advisers. The list recognizes top independent RIA firms from across the U.S. As of December 31, 2019. Coverage period is 2019. Eligibility criteria: SEC registered RIAs with over $300 million of AUM. The FT 300 assesses registered investment advisers based on desirable traits for investors. The Financial Times presents the FT 300 as an elite group, not a competitive ranking of one to 300. They believe this is the fairest way to identify the industry’s elite advisers while accounting for the companies’ different approaches and specializations. The formula the FT uses to grade advisers is based on six broad factors and calculates a numeric score for each adviser. Areas of consideration include AUM, asset growth, the company’s age, industry certifications of key employees, SEC compliance record and online accessibility. XML did not pay to participate in said ranking. For more information and to view the entire list, please read more here.

Avenel Living Magazine

Partner, Michelle P. Cooper, has written a book, I’ve Still Got Me — A Widow’s Journey to Love, Happiness and Financial Independence. “By sharing my story and bringing my challenges out in the open, I hope to draw attention to the common life events that we, as women, face along our life journey.” – Michelle Cooper Read More