Press
Program Managers Forum in San Diego draws interactive discussions on growing investment programs as in-person visits to financial institutions diminish
Credit union and bank executives meet challenges facing financial services industry by innovating through leadership and technology.
SAN DIEGO, CA (December 16, 2014) — Sister companies, Sorrento Pacific Financial, LLC (SPF) and CUSO Financial Services, L.P. (CFS) and, full-service broker-dealers and SEC Registered Investment Advisers providing customized investment and insurance solutions to financial institutions, recently hosted investment program executives from around the nation at the CFS/SPF Program Managers Forum in San Diego. The annual conference is a two-day educational event for program managers of financial institution investment programs.
Financial institutions are facing a decrease in traffic, making it more challenging to sell services that have traditionally relied on branch referrals, face-to-face meetings and personal relationships. CFS and SPF focused their discussions on ways financial institutions can become more nimble and adapt to the changing needs of their clientele through both stronger leadership and new technology. An underlying theme throughout the conference was utilizing and expanding CFS/SPF tools for remote delivery and developing sales skills to connect and interact with clients in the venue they prefer, whether that be online, over the phone, in their workplace, or another location.
Dr. Tom Kolditz kicked off the forum with his presentation on “Leaders Developing Leaders.” He discussed steps to develop oneself as a leader and how to inspire staff members to lead as well. Later in the day, Paul Carpenter, co-author of the best-selling management book, The Inch Principle, assessed different management, organization and communication styles and gave guidance on how to most productively interact with each style.
Current program managers participated in interactive panels on topics including “Best Practices in Effectively Communicating with Advisors,” “Demonstrating the Value in the ‘C’ Suite of your Financial Institution,” and “Developing and Implementing Advisor-Level Business Plans.” The companies also unveiled new planning platforms likeMoneyGuidePro® along with the new advisor Training Center. In addition, upcoming enhancements to dataVISION, CFS and SPF’s proprietary, web-based account management system, were announced.
“We want to ensure the financial institutions we serve have the tools, technology and services necessary to thrive in 2015 and beyond,” said Valorie Seyfert, president and CEO. “Our industry is in flux right now as consumers demand new ways of doing business, so staying innovative and continuing to deliver new tools that answer the demand is critical.”
About CUSO Financial Services, LP and Sorrento Pacific Financial LLC
Full-service, sister broker dealers CUSO Financial Services, L.P. (CFS) and Sorrento Pacific Financial, LLC (SPF) (Members FINRA/SIPC) provide customized investment and insurance solutions to financial institutions throughout the country. Headquartered in San Diego, with branch offices and licensed representatives nationwide, both broker dealers are SEC Registered Investment Advisers, with expertise in key areas including retirement services, wealth management, and fee-based and insurance products for both individuals and business customers. For more information, see www.cusonet.com or www.sorrentopacific.com or visit their LinkedIn pages: CFS and SPF.