Investor Education: What’s Broken and How to Fix It

Abstract

In this article, the author argues that the traditional approach to investor education has failed and that radical reform is needed. After observing how one group of investors learned far more in experiential settings, the author submits that these investors might be convincing proof that experiential investor education is superior. Signaling good news for the investment advisory industry, the hiring, use, and retention of advisors by these same better-educated investors is stable. This group also expressed positive views of how well served they are by the industry overall. While the ultra-wealthy arguably might have easier access to superior advisors, the author believes that overhauling investor education will benefit all investors, not just the wealthiest.