Ep 160: ? “The Fee Debate: Transparency, Incentives, and Who Really Decides”
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Ep 160: ? “The Fee Debate: Transparency, Incentives, and Who Really Decides”

39:33 Jan 6, 2026
About this episode
In this episode of "The 9innings Podcast," host Kevin Thompson and guest Sarah Grillo discuss the ongoing debate over fee structures in financial advising, focusing on flat fee versus assets under management (AUM) models. They explore the importance of transparency, fairness, and client communication, highlighting how different models impact advisor incentives and client relationships. Sarah shares insights from her Transparency Movement, while both agree that building trust and adapting to client needs are key. The episode emphasizes that multiple fee models can coexist, and success depends on clear communication, transparency, and a client-centered approach.Fee Model Polarization Explained (00:04:56)Fairness and Service Alignment in Fee Models (00:07:42)Competitive Advantage Through Transparency (00:12:57)Multiple Business Models in Practice (00:16:37)Defining Best Interest and Flat Fee Variations (00:19:26)Addressing Conflicts of Interest (00:21:12)Sustainability and Capitalism in Fee Models (00:26:09)Entrepreneurship and Social Media Echo Chambers (00:31:18)Final Thoughts: Market Decides & Relationship Building (00:33:36)NEWSLETTER (WHAT NOW): https://substack.com/@9icapital?r=2eig6s&utm_campaign=profile&utm_medium=profile-page Follow Us: youtube: / @9icapLinkedin: / kevin-thompson-ricp%c2%ae-cfp%c2%ae-74964428 facebook: / mlb2cfp Buy MLB2CFP Here: https://www.amazon.com/MLB-CFP%C2%AE-90-Feet-Counting-ebook/dp/B0BLJPYNS4 Website: http://www.9icapitalgroup.com Hit the subscribe button to get new content notifications. Corrections: Editing by http://SwoleNerdProductions.com Disclosure: https://sites.google.com/view/9idisclosure/disclosure
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