“Satisfaction Only Tells Part of the Story”: Investments & Wealth Institute Research Featured in InvestmentNews Looks Beyond Client Satisfaction to Confidence

October 20, 2026 - Denver, CO — Sean Walters, CEO of the Investments & Wealth Institute, is featured in InvestmentNews coverage of the Institute’s 2026 High-Net-Worth Investor Research: The Connection Between Confidence, Expertise, and Growth. Absolute Engagement fielded the survey on the Institute’s behalf. It polled 1,000 U.S. investors who work with an advisor, help make household financial decisions, and have at least $500,000 in household investable assets. 

Satisfaction is high. Ninety-six percent of respondents said they are satisfied with their advisor, and the report’s Client Satisfaction Index reached 93, up from a low of 90 in 2020. Confidence is a different story. One-third of clients reported low-to-moderate confidence in their financial future. The Confidence Index measures whether clients have a clear plan, expect to reach their goals, feel financially secure and feel in control. It slipped to 87, down from 90 in 2020. 

“Advisors should feel good about the high levels of satisfaction we see in the research, but satisfaction only tells us part of the story,” Walters said. “Confidence gives us another way to understand whether clients feel prepared for what is ahead and trust that their advisor has the capabilities and expertise to help them get there.” 

The research also found a gap between how much clients value advanced certifications and how well they understand them. Eighty-seven percent of clients consider it somewhat or very important that their advisor holds an advanced professional certification. Yet 28% don’t know whether their advisor holds one, and only 54% say they fully understand how those credentials benefit them. Understanding splits sharply by confidence: 64% of high-confidence clients say they fully understand, compared with 17% of low-confidence clients. 

Clients also expect a lot from a credential. Eighty-nine percent want advisors to meet rigorous education, experience and exam requirements to earn one, 88% want ongoing requirements to keep it, and 83% say it should be revocable if an advisor breaches ethical standards. 

“The letters after an advisor’s name can serve as a useful proof point, but their value becomes much clearer when clients understand what stands behind them and how that expertise is being applied to their own situation,” Walters said. “Advisors have an opportunity to make their professional development more visible by connecting it to the decisions they are helping clients make and the problems they are helping them solve.” 

Read the full story at InvestmentNews. 

For more information, contact Carly Augeri, Director of Marketing Communications, Investments & Wealth Institute, at +1 707-681-1243 or at caugeri@i-w.org. 

About the Research 

The Investments & Wealth Institute has partnered with Absolute Engagement on investor research for the past 10 years. The 2026 Client Research was conducted through an online survey, which included 1,000 U.S. investors between February 28 and March 1, 2026. All respondents work with a financial advisor and are involved in household financial decision-making. The margin of error is 3.1%. 

The sample included a range of investable asset levels, with 50% of respondents reporting household investable assets between $500,000 and $999,999, 36% between $1 million and $4.99 million, and 14% at $5 million or more. 

About Investments & Wealth Institute 

Founded in 1985, the Investments & Wealth Institute is the premier professional association, education provider, and standards body for financial advisors. Through its award-winning events, publications, courses, and acclaimed certifications-Certified Investment Management Analyst^® (CIMA^®), Certified Private Wealth Advisor^® (CPWA^®), and Retirement Management Advisor^® (RMA^®) certifications-the Institute delivers Ivy league-quality, highly-practical education to more than 30,000 practitioners.