Insurance Fiduciary Network (IFN) Launch Announcement
North Bethesda, MD, February 2022 – Insurance Fiduciary Network, IFN. We are pleased to announce the launch of the Insurance Fiduciary Network (IFN) – www.insurancefiduciarynetwork.com.
The Insurance Fiduciary Network (IFN) is a platform designed for fee-only or fee-based Wealth Managers or Registered Investment Advisors (collectively referred to as Wealth Managers) who provide financial planning to their clients. The financial security the Wealth Manager has achieved for his/her clients can, and may very likely, be derailed by an adverse event during the client’s lifetime. As a fiduciary, the Wealth Manager may want to take additional safeguards to protect this financial security. IFN partners the Wealth Manager with a Risk Advisor that specifically provides fiduciary focused and collaborative risk management services to address the specific needs of the client.
The “network” is comprised of nationally recognized and experienced Risk Advisors who:
- have been carefully vetted;
- have experience in interdisciplinary collaboration;
- are committed to serving the needs of the client in a fiduciary manner; and
- have signed the IFN Code of Conduct.
IFN recognizes the importance of addressing the planning risks associated with mortality, morbidity, longevity, and taxes – risks that can be easily overlooked in traditional wealth management and planning. The natural friction that exists between various disciplines in the wealth advisory community can adversely affect the financial well-being of the client. When these four risks are proactively addressed through collaborative planning that includes risk advisory solutions, it is a win for clients in the accumulation, distribution, and generational transfer of their wealth.
The Risk Advisors that are part of IFN possess diverse skillsets which help IFN pair a client’s needs with the best network member based on an area of expertise, such as multigenerational wealth transfer planning, asset protection planning, long-term care planning and charitable planning. When a Wealth Manager works with IFN, this results in a fiduciary-minded solution that protects the client’s assets from loss, hedges against the financial burdens associated with unexpected life events and enhances the financial legacy the client leaves to his/her beneficiaries and\or charities. Additionally, the book of business in the Wealth Manager’s care is also protected from depletion through beneficiary and asset retention, or risk shifting through insurance. Lost or depleted assets due to end-of-life expenses and taxes can be replenished with funds through planning that includes long-term care and life insurance, longevity solutions and efficient wealth transfer tax planning.
The platform has been exceedingly well received by long time industry experts, including Meg Skinner, a 45-year veteran in financial services distribution at companies like Lincoln Financial, Guardian, Principal, John Hancock and most recently Symetra. After reviewing the platform, Ms. Skinner commented: “It is the first comprehensive discussion of the holistic opportunities/risks with insurance and wealth managers I have seen.” Additionally, Cathy Neifeld, Partner and General Counsel for both IFN and AgencyONE stated: “For years we have been looking to create a community between industry expert Risk Advisors and Wealth Managers that is 100% focused on holistic fiduciary planning for the client. IFN is the first platform of its kind that pairs together fiduciary focused, like-minded advisors with unique skill sets to provide comprehensive planning solutions for the client – resulting in higher client retention, true fiduciary planning, and protection of the Wealth Manager’s book of business. And with introduction of new products by major life insurance carriers specifically designed for the Wealth Manager, IFN is truly a platform that will further facilitate the holistic planning that this industry strives to achieve.”
IFN is powered by Agency Two Insurance Marketing Group, LLC, dba AgencyONE - a nationally recognized Broker General Agency that has been in the insurance and risk management business for over 40 years. AgencyONE operates as an independent intermediary between wealth managers and RIA’s and insurance companies, and provides life insurance, annuities, advanced estate and retirement planning, medical underwriting, and full back-office support to insurance, financial, and wealth advisors and their clients.
AgencyONE developed the Insurance Fiduciary Network to help Wealth Managers and RIAs fulfill their promise of complete, comprehensive financial planning to help them honor their fiduciary role.
For additional information contact: [email protected] or contact us directly:
Gonzalo M. Garcia, CLU
Managing Partner
(301) 803-7520
[email protected]
Cathy Neifeld, JD
Partner & General Counsel
(301) 803-7515
[email protected]
