Approved IAR CE Courses

For the past 20 years, alternatives were optional. A sophisticated tool for hedge funds and endowments, but not essential for advisor portfolios. That's because the 60/40 worked. Stocks and bonds were diversifiers, delivering steady returns through disinflation and falling rates. But the regime has shifted. Stock-bond correlation has flipped to positive territory. Inflation is sticky, geopolitical risks are structural, and rates can't fall as they once did. When both stocks and bonds decline together, the traditional playbook breaks down. What was once an edge case has become essential.

This session walks advisors through the data for why the macro regime shifted, which alternative strategies address specific portfolio gaps, and how to build a meaningful allocation without rebuilding. Participants will learn to map portfolio concentration, understand the structural return drivers of liquid cycle-agnostic alternatives, and execute a phased three-year plan. Includes 2022 performance data and a practical implementation framework.

This course helps IARs apply AML and sanctions compliance principles to challenging situations involving overlapping risks, ethical dilemmas, and heightened scrutiny. Participants will strengthen their judgment, escalation, and communication skills through practical case-based learning.

This foundational course helps IARs recognize AML and sanctions risks, apply appropriate due diligence, and respond to potential issues through effective documentation, escalation, and client communication.

Money laundering is a serious global issue that has led to the loss of billions of dollars and undermines the stability of the global financial system. This course will introduce the concepts and practices surrounding money laundering, including the stages of placement, layering, and integration, as well as some of the common schemes used to launder money.

This course introduces Investment Adviser Representatives (IARs) to Anti-Money Laundering (AML) requirements under the Bank Secrecy Act. Participants will explore the rule's background, coverage, and how it ties into a new IA AML Rule which was recently postponed until 2028. The course helps investment advisers prepare for what's to come by covering the five pillars of AML programs, reporting and recordkeeping obligations, and practical steps for identifying and escalating red flags. Through examples and case studies, advisers will gain the knowledge needed to protect clients, safeguard their firms, and meet evolving regulatory expectations.

The course will focus on regulatory obligations and include other considerations for various roles within the firm. You will then review findings on these issues and responses considered effective practices in preventing or dealing with AML and terrorist financing issues. 

This course will discuss anti-money laundering (AML), including the rules and regulations surrounding the obligations of anti-money laundering compliance programs.We will also discuss cybersecurity rules and best practices for firms to adopt to protect themselves from cybersecurity attacks.

This course introduces agents and representatives to the concept of money laundering, reviews the history of anti-money laundering legislation and focuses on the importance of suspicious activities and Suspicious Activities Reports (SARs). Realizing that agents and representatives are on the front lines dealing directly with customers, the course specifically focuses on the "red flag" behavior of customers that indicates unusual behavior and that may indicate suspicious activities.

In *How to Calm Clients' Nerves*, Joy Lere addresses the crucial role financial advisors play in helping clients manage emotional distress, especially during times of uncertainty. Lere introduces a proprietary framework for navigating emotionally charged conversations, emphasizing that clients often approach advisors in states of panic, particularly regarding life transitions, political events, or market volatility. The discussion centers on the importance of listening, validating emotions, and addressing underlying fears before diving into logic or financial solutions.Lere explains how emotions like anxiety and fear can cloud clients' judgment, making it essential for advisors to take a human-centric approach. She provides practical strategies for calming clients, such as acknowledging their concerns, assessing emotional baselines, and helping them reframe catastrophic thinking. The framework focuses on listening and validating emotions first, then scaffolding curiosity and providing education once clients are calm enough to absorb information.Advisors are encouraged to avoid dismissing or invalidating clients' emotions, instead guiding them through a process of emotional regulation. The ultimate goal is to empower clients by helping them reconnect with their resilience and strategies for navigating uncertainty, while fostering trust and strengthening the advisor-client relationship.

In *Couples, Cash, Conflict*, Joy Lere explores the intricate relationship between love and money, focusing on how financial dynamics can shape and strain relationships. Lere begins by highlighting that discussing money is a common source of tension for couples, emphasizing that financial behaviors are often rooted in family upbringing, cultural norms, and personal experiences. She discusses the importance of early financial conversations, suggesting that partners share their financial backgrounds, expectations, and habits to build a foundation of trust and avoid surprises down the road. Lere introduces common challenges couples face, such as one partner controlling the finances or differing risk tolerances. She also examines how parenthood, extended family responsibilities, and retirement bring unique financial stressors. Additionally, she touches on critical topics like financial infidelity and abuse, encouraging advisors to recognize when these issues arise in their client relationships. Throughout the presentation, Lere offers practical advice for financial advisors to facilitate productive money conversations between couples. By fostering open dialogue, addressing underlying power dynamics, and helping couples develop shared financial goals, advisors can reduce conflict and strengthen their clients' relationships. The session concludes with practical strategies for navigating complex money issues in relationships while maintaining a balance between financial expertise and emotional support.