Leading Teams in a New Era of Wealth Management

New data highlights what team leaders are up against and how advanced certifications can drive performance.

Key Findings from the 2025 Team & Business Leader Study

Conducted by the Investments & Wealth Institute in partnership with Logica Research, this study surveyed 240 investment and wealth professionals who lead client-facing teams.

What team leaders are facing today:

  • 93% of respondents report leadership or management challenges

  • Top concerns include:

    • Finding the right people (59%)

    • Lack of time to support team members (49%)

    • Developing team technical skills (30%)

    • Attracting talent (25%)

    • Defining team culture (22%)

  • 51% say leading a team is stressful

  • Only 48% feel they have enough staff to meet client and business demands

  • Just 34% believe they have adequate internal support for team management

“Advisory teams are growing, but many leaders feel under-resourced and under-supported. Our role at the Institute is to close that gap, not just through credentialing, but by equipping firms with the tools, training, and research to lead more effectively.”

Sean Walters
Chief Executive Officer, Investments & Wealth Institute

A Closer Look at the Business Impact of Certifications

Earlier this year, the Institute partnered with CEG Insights to study how advanced certifications shape advisor and team performance. That research found:

  • Teams that include at least one CIMA® certified advisor manage, on average, $267 million more in AUM than teams without any Institute designations

  • Institute-certified advisors are more likely to:

    • Implement formal mentoring programs

    • Optimize performance reviews and team development

    • Use advanced CRM and collaboration tools to streamline client service and internal coordination

“When advisory teams invest in credentials like CIMA®, CPWA®, or RMA®, they’re not just enhancing knowledge, they’re strengthening their value proposition, improving collaboration, and positioning themselves to lead in a more complex market.”

Sean Walters
Chief Executive Officer, Investments & Wealth Institute

Press Release

Read More→

Compare certifications and explore how we can support your team’s growth and success

Learn More→