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Ask an Advisor: Are Fiduciaries Immune to Conflicts of Interest?

SmartAsset
Summary
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78% Informative

The existence of a fiduciary duty does not prevent potential conflicts of interest.

Some financial advisors are affiliated with a specific brokerage firm or insurance company and are therefore incentivized to recommend that company’s products.

Some advisors receive much or all of their pay through sales commissions.

There is always at least some incentive to make recommendations that could make them more money.

Matt Becker , CFP , is a SmartAsset financial planning columnist.

He answers reader questions on personal finance and tax topics.

Keep an emergency fund on hand in case you run into unexpected expenses.

Ask an Advisor: What Conflicts of Interest Can Arise Even With a Fiduciary?.

VR Score

70

Informative language

63

Neutral language

53

Article tone

informal

Language

English

Language complexity

52

Offensive language

not offensive

Hate speech

not hateful

Attention-grabbing headline

not detected

Known propaganda techniques

not detected

Time-value

long-living

External references

16

https://smartasset.com/blog/financial-advisor/ask-an-advisor-conflict-of-interest/https://dr5dymrsxhdzh.cloudfront.net/blog/images/aff10227c/2023/02/Matt-Becker-Headshot-Wide-e1686073557765.jpghttps://smartasset.com/financial-advisor/financial-advisor-conflicts-of-interesthttps://smartasset.com/financial-advisor/financial-advisor-commissionshttps://smartasset.com/financial-advisor/assets-under-management-aumhttps://smartasset.com/financial-advisor/questions-to-ask-a-financial-advisorhttps://smartasset.com/bloghttps://dr5dymrsxhdzh.cloudfront.net/blog/images/aff10227c/2023/06/executive-hands-indicating-where-to-sign-contract.jpg_s1024x1024wisk20cK8268NktljdQCrJBVv4g8rX1L04cnCDf1tlaPdTAuq4.jpghttps://smartasset.com/financial-advisor/fee-only-financial-plannerhttps://smartasset.com/financial-advisor/what-is-fiduciary-financial-advisorhttps://smartasset.com/financial-advisor/what-is-an-investment-brokerhttps://dr5dymrsxhdzh.cloudfront.net/blog/images/aff10227c/2023/06/happy-diverse-couple-shaking-hands-with-insurance-agent-in-the-office.jpg_s1024x1024wisk20cjGwnEmZiIntAIMIfX3NCK8yHCZMeHlZCfB95njSl8nc.jpghttps://smartasset.com/financial-advisor/fee-based-vs-fee-only-financial-advisorhttps://article.smartasset.com/compare-financial-products/https://smartasset.com/retirement/find-a-financial-planner?utm_source=syndication_yahoo&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=sma__falc_relevant&utm_content=askanadvisorconflictofinteresthttps://get.smartasset.com/advisor-marketing-platform/?utm_source=syndication_yahoo_amp

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