You are to carefully read and then critically evaluate the arguments made in the article titled "Systemic Barriers To Racial Diversity In Financial Planning" that can be found by searching on any search engine. You are not being asked to agree or disagree with the opinions of the author. You are being asked to evaluate the facts that are stated and thoughtfully evaluate potential good-faith solutions to the claims of racism, bias, or inequity in the financial advising industry. You are to write a 1-page response to this article. First, in your own words provide a brief (2 sentences maximum) summary of articles evidence that racial and ethnic minorities and women are under-represented in the financial planning industry. The, pick 2 of the following items to elaborate on with your own ideas and analysis:

1a. Based on this article, provide a 1 to 2 paragraph analysis of the role of higher education degrees in driving inequity in the financial planning industry. Begin with a summary of how higher education degree requirements result in inequity. Next, evaluate 2 potential solutions. First, how could less reliance on higher education as a credential for employment in the financial planning industry be a solution? What new problems would this create? Second, how could more reliance on higher education as a credential for employment in the financial planning industry be a solution? What problems would this create or worsen?

1b. Based on this article, provide a 1 to 2 paragraph analysis of the role of designations (e.g., CFA or CFP) and registrations (e.g., SIE and FINRA series exams), in driving inequity in the financial planning industry. Begin with a summary of how designations and registrations result in inequity. Next, evaluate 2 potential solutions. First, how could less reliance on designations as a credential for employment in the financial planning industry be a solution? What new problems would this create? Second, how could more reliance on designations as a credential for employment in the financial planning industry be a solution? What problems would this create or worsen?

1c. Based on this article, provide a 1 to 2 paragraph analysis of the role of broker compensation through commissions in driving inequity in the financial planning industry. Begin with a summary of how commission-based compensation results in inequity. Next, evaluate 2 potential solutions. First, how could less reliance on commission-based compensation as a credential for employment in the financial planning industry be a solution? What new problems would this create? Second, how could more reliance on commission-based compensation as a credential for employment in the financial planning industry be a solution? What problems would this create or worsen?