
The Classroom
We believe strongly that education can improve long-term investment success.
The investment world can be confusing and intimidating for clients. We all should have received a course in school about investing to help us understand it better. Most of us never did.
So we created some short videos to help clients become more successful investors. They address some of the basics of investing, financial planning, and the value that financial advisors can provide.
The information provided is:
- clear and concise—anyone can understand it
- objective—the goal is to educate, not sell
Feel free to share these videos with your clients.

Introduction
May 3, 2016

Make It Personal
May 3, 2016

Identifying Your Target
May 3, 2016

Understanding Risk
May 3, 2016

The Importance of Saving
May 3, 2016

The Value of a Good Advisor
May 3, 2016
The Forum
We believe strongly that good communication is the foundation of good relationships. The following information will help you understand who we are and how we see the world.
We Are Looking at Portfolio Management Too Narrowly
December 8, 2016 | FundFire
Building a solid portfolio is only half the battle
December 1, 2016 | Financial Advisor
Financial illiteracy is a big problem in America, and it has huge ramifications for advisors.
Does Your Fee Schedule Need an Overhaul?
November 22, 2016 | ThinkAdvisor
You should be able to demonstrate a reasonable relationship between your fees and the services you deliver.
Value, Growth and the Limits of Our Investment Knowledge Taming the Uncertainty Monster
September 6, 2016 | Advisor Perspectives
All investment decisions involve uncertainty. No matter how hard we try, we can’t make it go away.
Educating Clients: How Advisors Can Go From Good to Outstanding
August 17, 2016 | ThinkAdvisor
The key to investment success is helping clients understand their environment.
How to Start Every Portfolio With a Performance Advantage
August 2, 2016 | Investment News
Instead of giving them a performance edge, we may be digging a performance hole that clients have to climb out of every year.
The AUM Fee Schedule: Face-To-Face With A Dinosaur
July 14, 2016 | Financial Advisor
The traditional AUM fee schedule is a dinosaur.
How to Avoid Making the Portfolio Assumptions that Harm Clients
June 24, 2016 | Advisor Perspectives
A blueprint for building the “perfect little portfolio”.
Startup Turns Portfolio Pricing on Its Head
June 20, 2016 | Financial Advisor IQ
First Ascent’s fee schedule is an eye-catcher.
Are Risk Tolerance Questionnaires a Silly Waste of Time?
June 7, 2016 | Advisor Perspectives
Learn about the flaws in current risk tolerance assessment practices.
May 10, 2016 |
How we turned a collection of groundbreaking ideas into a client-focused investment management firm.
May 10, 2016 |
What happens when you start by asking, “What’s best for our clients?”
May 10, 2016 |
Meet the team at First Ascent, and hear their stories.
May 10, 2016 |
Low fees give investors a performance edge.
May 10, 2016 |
First Ascent’s educational program equips investors for success.