T.J. van Gerven Quoted in Financial Planning: Navigating Conflicts of Interest in Wealth Management
T.J. van Gerven, CFP® and founder of Memento Financial Planning, was featured in Financial Planning Magazine in a story examining the ethical gray areas around how financial advisors are compensated—and how that impacts client outcomes.
In the article, titled “Wealth Management’s Conflicted Question,” T.J. is quoted on how advisors can rationalize recommendations that may not align with their client’s best interest:
“They don’t even realize that it’s a conflict,” said van Gerven, a fee-only planner who uses a flat-fee model.
“People create narratives around what’s beneficial for them. And I think they just naturally rationalize it.”
The piece explores a long-standing challenge in the industry: the disconnect between product-based compensation and true fiduciary advice. T.J.’s voice offers a transparent, client-first perspective grounded in independent, conflict-free financial planning.
