Author Info

Mike Walters is the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of USA Financial, leading the firm since its inception in 1988. Mike is committed to...
The statistics on longevity are crazy, and longevity is stretching out so quickly that you have to bake it into your retirement and estate planning. In this episode of The RARE Advisor, I’ll share 5 tips to longevity that you can share with your clients.
The RARE Advisor is a business model supercharged by Recurring And Repeatable Events. With more than thirty years of working with and coaching successful advisors, host Mike Walters (along with other leaders in the industry), discusses what it takes to grow a successful practice. With the aim of helping financial professionals and financial advisors take their business to the next level, Mike Walters shares insights and success stories that make a real impact. Regardless of the stage of your practice, The RARE Advisor will provide thoughtful guidance, suggestions for developing systems and processes that work, and ideas for creating an authentic experience for your clients.
The RARE Advisor is part of the Advisor Advancement Network, powered by USA Financial and committed to empowering financial advisors and financial professionals since 1988. Advisor Advancement was born from a desire and a need for our contributors to communicate with the financial advice community in a much different way. Created by industry professionals committed to advancing the advisor profession one video, blog, podcast, and tweet at a time. We talk about practice management, marketing, compliance, business development, and a myriad of other things financial advisors may want to hear, rant, or lament about.
The RARE Advisor is also a podcast! Subscribe today via Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, or your preferred podcast listening service for easier on-the-go listening.
Mike Walters is the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of USA Financial, leading the firm since its inception in 1988. Mike is committed to...
In this episode of The Rare Advisor, Aaron Grady dives into one of the simplest yet most powerful tools for building lasting client relationships: the acronym FORM—Family, Occupation, Recreation, and Money. More than just a data-gathering technique, FORM is a mindset that helps financial advisors connect on a deeper, more human level with their clients. Aaron shares how to gather, store, and use FORM data to create personalized client experiences, build trust, and trigger natural advocacy. From onboarding to ongoing relationship management, learn how intentional curiosity and genuine care can elevate your client service and create conversations that go far beyond the portfolio.
In this September Trending Report, Kevin Roskam of USA Financial draws a clever parallel between Michigan’s early fall chill and market volatility—reminding us that just as a few cold days don’t mean summer is over, short-term dips don’t define long-term investment trends. Kevin breaks down the history of market corrections, the role of risk management in avoiding severe downturns, and what the upcoming Fed rate cut could mean for investors. With clear insights and timely perspective, this month’s report is all about separating noise from true signals and staying focused on long-term success.
AI is reshaping every industry, and financial advice isn’t immune. Are you prepared? In this episode of The Financial Advisor Marketing Playbook, Mark Mersman unpacks a recent Microsoft study ranking personal financial advisors among the occupations most at risk of AI disruption—and explains why some advisors should be worried. More importantly, he outlines five practical strategies to stay relevant and thrive in the age of AI: doubling down on relationships, positioning yourself as a trusted guide, embracing holistic planning, staying tech-savvy, and deepening your niche expertise. Discover how to combine human connection with technology to build an unshakable practice in an AI-driven world. Whether you're a solo advisor, part of an RIA, or work at a larger firm, this episode gives you the roadmap to not just survive the AI revolution—but profit from it.
In this episode of The Rare Advisor, Aaron Grady dives into one of the simplest yet most powerful tools for building lasting client relationships: the acronym FORM—Family, Occupation, Recreation, and Money. More than just a data-gathering technique, FORM is a mindset that helps financial advisors connect on a deeper, more human level with their clients. Aaron shares how to gather, store, and use FORM data to create personalized client experiences, build trust, and trigger natural advocacy. From onboarding to ongoing relationship management, learn how intentional curiosity and genuine care can elevate your client service and create conversations that go far beyond the portfolio.
In this September Trending Report, Kevin Roskam of USA Financial draws a clever parallel between Michigan’s early fall chill and market volatility—reminding us that just as a few cold days don’t mean summer is over, short-term dips don’t define long-term investment trends. Kevin breaks down the history of market corrections, the role of risk management in avoiding severe downturns, and what the upcoming Fed rate cut could mean for investors. With clear insights and timely perspective, this month’s report is all about separating noise from true signals and staying focused on long-term success.
AI is reshaping every industry, and financial advice isn’t immune. Are you prepared? In this episode of The Financial Advisor Marketing Playbook, Mark Mersman unpacks a recent Microsoft study ranking personal financial advisors among the occupations most at risk of AI disruption—and explains why some advisors should be worried. More importantly, he outlines five practical strategies to stay relevant and thrive in the age of AI: doubling down on relationships, positioning yourself as a trusted guide, embracing holistic planning, staying tech-savvy, and deepening your niche expertise. Discover how to combine human connection with technology to build an unshakable practice in an AI-driven world. Whether you're a solo advisor, part of an RIA, or work at a larger firm, this episode gives you the roadmap to not just survive the AI revolution—but profit from it.