Needless to say, America's corporate crisis combined with a disastrous, historic drop in the stock market (which has seriously eroded investor confidence) means frightening times for financial planners. In a recent survey, USA Today indicated that public confidence and trust is way down toward financial service providers. Financial planners would be wise to "hunker down" in their efforts to build and expand their practice.

As David Peskin, the President of Vertical Lend, one of New York's largest mortgage brokerages points out: "In this adverse climate there shouldn't be any question about the need for financial planners to diversify their income opportunities. At this point, new related revenue streams, can translate into a stable pay check where income from the traditional financial planning market has been drying up."

By establishing Vertical Lend, Mr. Peskin has enabled more than 1,300 accountants, insurance brokers and financial planners to diversify their business and to increase their annual income. The number continues to grow as financial professionals seek non-traditional income sources.

By becoming Associates of Vertical Lend, several hundred financial planners have realized valuable, additional income by facilitating mortgage products (both residential and commercial), business lines of credit and SBA loans for their clients and network of contacts.

It is simple and easy to sign up for Vertical Lend, which provides training, access to a team of technical experts, marketing and advertising departments, and more. Best of all, new Associates can be up and running within 24 hours.

More importantly, by directly assisting clients with their lending needs, financial planners are providing them with a very convenient, value-added service. Although the stock market and many investment vehicles are depressed, the real estate market is very prosperous, driven by some of the lowest interest rates in America's history.

Financial planners recognize that often, a client's home is their largest, single asset. As unemployment starts to rise and people's income ability diminishes, clients will consider the equity in their home as a way to get through a difficult period. Financial planners associated with Vertical Lend, now have the ability to help clients consolidate debt, lower loan terms, and fund major expenses like college, home improvements, or unexpected emergencies.

"Through Vertical Lend, financial planners have access to over 1,000 different lending products. So they are truly strengthening their relationship with their clients - our company can play an important role building a financial advisor's business in today's economy, " David Peskin concluded.