# Document a best-interest recommendation for a client file

A clear record of why a recommended investment or account suits the client's profile, costs, and reasonably available alternatives.

- Topic: Legal & Compliance
- Framework: Few-Shot
- Level: Standard
- Tags: Finance, Legal, Plan, Fill-in Template
- Source: https://www.thinkwithprompt.com/prompts/document-a-best-interest-recommendation-for-a-client-file

## Prompt

```text
Help me document the basis for a recommendation I made to a client, for our compliance file.

**Client profile:** [age, investment objectives, risk tolerance, time horizon, liquidity needs, tax status, experience, financial situation - no names]
**Recommendation:** [product, account type, rollover, or strategy - e.g. "IRA rollover from 401(k) into advisory account", "variable annuity", "switch from commission to fee-based"]
**Alternatives considered:** [including keeping things as they are]
**Costs:** [fees, commissions, surrender charges, expense ratios for the recommendation and alternatives]
**Conflicts of interest:** [compensation differences, proprietary products, incentives]
**What was disclosed to the client and when:** [DETAILS]
**Applicable standard:** [e.g. "Reg BI for broker-dealer", "fiduciary duty for investment adviser", "insurance best-interest rule", or my country's equivalent]

Write the file note covering:
1. Client profile and how it was gathered.
2. The recommendation and the specific client needs it addresses.
3. Reasonably available alternatives and why each was not chosen, with a cost comparison table.
4. Risks of the recommendation in plain language, including what could go wrong for this client.
5. Conflicts and how they were disclosed and mitigated.
6. For rollovers or switches: what the client gives up (lower costs, guarantees, surrender periods, plan protections).

Also flag weaknesses a supervisor or examiner would challenge. Use only my facts and mark gaps [CONFIRM]. This is documentation support, not advice; follow my firm's supervisory procedures.
```

## What to fill in

- including keeping things as they are
- compensation differences, proprietary products, incentives
- DETAILS
- CONFIRM

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