Member Spotlights
Read this month’s Member Spotlight, as well as previous spotlights, and learn more about the community of success-minder advisors like you; committed to life-long learning, adherence to ethical standards, and the advancement of the financial advice industry.
Meet Your Peers in the Investment & Wealth Institute
Eric Rabbanian, CIMA®, CPWA®, CFP®, MBA, JD
Partner & Senior Financial Advisor
Apella Wealth
What do you like about being a member of the Investments & Wealth Institute?
I most appreciate the opportunity to remain educated on subjects that impact our profession and clients. The conferences offer a high level of sophistication, insight, and actionable takeaways.
What is the best financial advice you have received or given?
The best advice came from watching my dad and stepdad face different financial challenges as I grew up, including observing their mistakes. But the best line was my dad's: "If you watch the pennies, the dollars will take care of themselves." It's a message I bring home with clients— and myself—that costs matter.
What is something not many people know about you?
In my only criminal case as a lawyer, I successfully represented a woman who had been wrongfully convicted of arson murder. Her wrongful conviction was featured on Dateline, on the front page of The Wall Street Journal, and she and I appeared on The Maury Povich Show. The case ultimately led to revolutionary changes in fire investigation.
What is a challenge in the industry right now?
The biggest challenge I see today is responsibly incorporating AI in a way that fosters the industry's progress, with continued adoption of the fiduciary standard.
Are you an early riser or a night owl?
Night owl.
Is there a specific way your designation has enhanced your career?
Obtaining and maintaining my designation demands a commitment to understanding concepts that have been particularly helpful in serving clients. The more informed I am, the better I can serve their best interests.
What is your favorite book, or what are you currently reading?
Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follett.
What are your favorite podcasts?
Rational Reminder and The Ringer.
What are you most grateful for in your life?
It's trite, but there's a reason for that: I'm most grateful for my relationships with family and friends.
Past Spotlights
Did You Know?
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