Behavioral Finance and Better Investment Decisions with Devin Ekberg, CFA, CPWA, CIMA (Ep. 103)

Have you ever wondered why making good financial decisions can feel so difficult, especially when markets become uncertain?  Even experienced investors can find emotions influencing their decisions during uncertain markets. In this episode, Robert Curtiss welcomes Devin Ekberg, Senior Vice President and Senior Consultant in Advisor Education at PIMCO, for a thoughtful discussion about behavioral finance and the psychology behind investing. Together, they explain how fear, excitement, cognitive bias, and decision-making influence financial outcomes.  They explore how advisors help clients stay focused during periods of uncertainty, why process often matters more than prediction, and how thoughtful guidance can help people make clearer financial decisions over the long term. Key takeaways: How emotional and cognitive biases influence investment decisions during uncertain markets Why having a written investment process helps reduce reactive financial decisions over time How financial advisors help clients reframe fear into thoughtful, productive action Why trust, communication, and behavioral coaching strengthen long-term financial planning Books and behavioral finance concepts that help investors understand their own decision-making And more! Resources: Educational videos (bottom of the page) Thinking, Fast and Slow by Daniel Kahneman The Behavior Gap by Carl Richards The Behavioral Investor by Daniel Crosby Connect with Devin Ekberg: LinkedIn: Devin Ekberg Website: PIMCO Connect with Robert Curtiss: [email protected] (626) 795-2944 About Robert Curtiss  LinkedIn: Robert Curtiss Facebook: Robert Curtiss SEIA LinkedIn: SEIA About Our Guest: Mr. Ekberg is a senior vice president and senior consultant in advisor education at PIMCO. He provides training to financial professionals on advanced wealth planning topics, including retirement strategies, alternative investments, and goals-based wealth management. Prior to joining PIMCO in 2021, Mr. Ekberg was chief learning officer and managing director of professional development for the Investments & Wealth Institute (IWI), where he led the advisor education programs for advanced credentials in the financial industry. During his tenure at IWI, he oversaw the Certified Private Wealth Advisor (CPWA) certification education at the University of Chicago and led the acquisition and development of the Retirement Management Advisor (RMA) certification. He has 20 years of investment and financial services experience and holds a master’s degree from Creighton University. He is a CFA charterholder and holds the Certified Investment Management Analyst (CIMA) and CPWA designations.