As a result, Searcy Financial designed a separate subsidiary corporation with a Web site that looks and feels different. “It’s very high-tech and friendly as far as it embraces everybody,” said Searcy, “and we give them the tools.” His firm has also successfully hired young people to help his colleagues navigate this age cohort.

Lynn Mayabb explained that BKD Wealth Advisors invites clients to bring their children with them, either in person or through online meetings if the children live elsewhere. By getting involved, the client’s children learn what their responsibilities are and how to execute them if need be.

Steve Soden observed that the senior generation was concerned about what would happen to their kids when they inherit family wealth. Although his firm also makes every effort to engage the children, he conceded, “They don’t think the same.”

“Different generations do behave differently,” agreed Brett Broyles. “They do approach things differently.” The younger children of his clients want more education, and they want the electronic tools to educate themselves. “They definitely are more comfortable embracing new technology,” said Broyles.

Robert W. Baird & Co. offers both traditional brokerage services and fee-based services, said Bob Rippy, and financial advisers make the decision on which way to go. While older clients tend to traditional service, few of the Millennials understand that. “They definitely want to do a fee basis,” said Rippy. He noted, too, that they tend to job-jump a lot and have a lot of scattered accounts as a result.

“Some of the young entrepreneurs we’re working with do things totally differently,” said John Jespersen. Part of his strategy is to use newer technologies to school his younger clients in the fundamentals.

As Matt Melton sees it, all generations now are being inundated with the kind of information flow that was not available pre-Internet. Regardless of the medium, Melton feels it essential to disseminate the core concepts “to set those younger generation on the right path.”

Among the strategies Kent Hiemenz employs as director of wealth management consulting at Commerce Bank is a forum for children of high-net-worth individuals, where they can share their concerns with peers of similar age and similar means.

The question of generational differences took some interesting directions. John Woolway wondered whether there was a trend among younger people wanting to reestablish their privacy and communicate with their advisers the old-fashioned way, face to face. “At the end of the day,” said Woolway, “they want to know that things are secure.” One of the jobs of Vantage Investment Partners is to protect clients and their information from those who would exploit it, he said.

“There’s a massive backlash that’s coming through on privacy,” said Mark Eveans. “Privacy is just not locked down.”

“Younger clients trust you,” said Woolway, “not because I can Tweet or whatever. That’s not important to them. At the end of the day, they want to know that things are secure.”

Brian Leitner cited a poll in The Wall Street Journal confirming Woolway’s sense that there was a shift back to younger clients wanting face-to-face relationships with their advisers.

Hiring the Next Generation

Among the strategies Mike Searcy would encourage is to “partner up with younger people.” The under-40 members of his staff have proven particularly valuable in relating to younger clients and children of older ones.