Why Fiduciary Standards Matter.

In a marketplace filled with sales quotas, vague incentives, and layers of conflicting advice, the fiduciary standard isn’t just a legal distinction—it’s a relational one.

It’s the promise that your advice is centered not on margins, but on mission. Not on product, but on purpose. And at DWS, we believe this promise should not only be kept, it should be clearly communicated.

Fiduciary Is More Than a Word—It’s a Way of Operating

As an advisor operating under a fiduciary standard, your obligation to always act in your client’s best interest is simple but profound. That means:

• Prioritizing transparency over persuasion
• Putting planning before products
• Eliminating or disclosing conflicts of interest
• Making recommendations based on your client’s needs, not your compensation

And in a world where the lines between advisor, broker, and salesperson are increasingly blurred, this standard sets you apart.

Why Clients Deserve to Know

Most investors assume their advisor is working in their best interest. But as you know, many financial professionals are held only to a suitability standard—not a fiduciary one. The difference isn’t just phrasing. It can influence:

• The fees clients pay
• The products they’re offered
• The trust they place in the process

That’s why we believe the fiduciary standard isn’t something to keep quiet, but something to share. It’s a meaningful part of your brand. It’s one of the clearest signals you can send that you serve—not sell.

How DWS Supports a Fiduciary Approach

Our Integrated Advisor Platform is built to help you uphold the highest standard of care through:

• Transparent technology that gives clients visibility into their plan
• Flexible investment models aligned to goals, not products
• Custom-branded materials that reinforce your independent, client-first identity
• Fee structures and reporting that make sense to clients and hold up to scrutiny

When the market gets noisy, your clients need more than performance—they need trust. And trust is built when the process itself is as exact and transparent as the advice you offer.

We’re here when you’re ready.

Whether you’re refining your current model or looking to make a shift, we’re ready to support your next step.