Outlooks from the in-house experts, including the top economist and chief investment officer, are sent to clients at regular intervals. PNC also holds quarterly conference calls for clients with the firm's top economists and strategists and quarterly educational forums meant to explain topics, such as derivatives or third-party interest rates, in plain English.

The senior financial advisor of a team calls clients every month or so, while a junior members checks in every couple of weeks, Saghy says.

Involving team members in client communication can reduce the burden on the senior member and ensure investors have multiple points of contact. Making in-person introductions before dispatching a junior advisor to phone clients is critical, however, so investors don't feel as if they've been abandoned by the senior member, Saghy says.

Investors, like markets, dislike uncertainty, Saghy says. Addressing client concerns at regular intervals can keep clients from fretting unnecessarily.

"The number one complaint from clients everywhere is: 'I don't hear from my advisor enough,'" Saghy says. "They want to make sure their advisors are watching their back."

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