Tag: Advisor Education
Volatility Control Indexes: What Advisors Need to Know Now with Laurence Black (Ep. 102)

Volatility Control Indexes: What Advisors Need to Know Now with Laurence Black (Ep. 102)

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Markets can shift quickly, and understanding the tools behind index design can help you guide clients with more clarity.

How do you sort through complex crediting strategies, and what can index ratings reveal about long-term performance potential?

In this episode, Jeremy Houser speaks with Laurence Black, Founder of The Index Standard®, about how his team evaluates index construction, why volatility control remains important, and how advisors can use clearer forecasting to support client conversations. He explains how metal ratings are assigned, what drives intraday volatility control, and why diversification protects clients as trends shift. Laurence also talks about forecasting methods, expected returns across regions, and the role that transparency plays in product due diligence. 

Key takeaways:

  • Poor performance from some of these indexes explained
  • How index ratings are built using 35 metrics and grouped by peer category
  • Why excess return structures act differently in the current rate environment
  • How volatility control works as an early warning mechanism
  • Why diversified allocations help offset recency bias
  • How The Index Standard® is expanding tools for FIA and IUL due diligence
  • And more!

Connect With Laurence Black:

Connect with Jeremy Houser:

About Our Guest:

Laurence Black is the founder of The Index Standard® and an index advisor to Robert J. Shiller, Sterling Professor Emeritus of Economics at Yale University.

Before founding The Index Standard®, Laurence was Managing Director and Head of Quantitative Indices and Strategies at Barclays, where he oversaw the development of the Barclays index family. In addition to designing some of the first smart beta/factor indices, Laurence spearheaded Barclays’ index partnerships with Professors Robert Shiller and Nouriel Roubini, as well as Novus Partners.

Before Barclays, Laurence was Head of Indices at ABN AMRO in London, where he successfully launched indices with well-known investors such as Jim Rogers and Joel Greenblatt. Before ABN AMRO, Laurence worked at Lehman Brothers, Deutsche Bank, and Credit Suisse.

Laurence holds an MBA from the University of Warwick and a Bachelor’s degree from the University of Cape Town. When not thinking about financial matters, he can mostly be found on a tennis court.

Disclosure #: 4998452 – 1225

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Turning Knowledge Into Action: Tax Planning Insights with Steven Jarvis, CPA (Ep. 99)

Turning Knowledge Into Action: Tax Planning Insights with Steven Jarvis, CPA (Ep. 99)

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Most advisors understand that taxes impact every financial decision, yet few make tax planning part of their process. 

Steven Jarvis, CPA, is on a mission to change that by helping advisors build confidence, stay compliant, and add real value through intentional tax conversations.

In this episode, Jeremy Houser talks with Steven Jarvis, Founder of Retirement Tax Services, about how to make tax planning approachable and actionable. Steven shares his journey from CPA to educator, explains how collaboration between advisors and tax professionals enhances client relationships, and highlights the importance of continuous learning and accountability.

Key Takeaways:

  • How Retirement Tax Services partners exclusively with financial advisors to make tax planning an integrated, repeatable part of client service
  • The importance of recognizing that every financial decision has a tax impact and why ignoring it can harm clients
  • How to use the 37-Point Checklist to confidently review client tax returns and identify planning opportunities
  • The purpose behind The Summit, a hands-on event for advisors to learn from peers and turn ideas into action
  • Why growth happens when advisors lean into discomfort, stay accountable, and commit to lifelong learning
  • And more!

Resources:

Connect With Steven Jarvis:

Connect with Jeremy Houser:

About Our Guest:

Steven Jarvis, CPA, is the CEO and Head CPA at Retirement Tax Services, a tax firm focused on working with financial advisors. With more than a decade of experience in the accounting profession and a background in teaching, Steven recognized that most traditional CPA firms focus narrowly on tax return preparation, a model that leaves many clients exposed to unnecessary tax burdens and many advisors without the tools to address them. He offers advisors access to systems, training and partnerships that keep them in the driver’s seat while integrating tax awareness into client conversations.

Disclosure #: 4889675 – 1025

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