Overview
Think of an Asset-Map Stencil™ as a starter template that helps you build a picture of a client’s life in seconds. Instead of starting with a blank page, you can overlay a Stencil to show what people in similar situations—like other business owners, a couple with kids, or retirees—typically have in their "financial closet." During a meeting, this is a total game-changer because it gives you a way to ask, "Do you have an account like this?" without it feeling like an interrogation. It helps clients see what they might be missing compared to their peers, turning a boring data-gathering session into a visual conversation that makes sense right away.
Using the Stencil Application Tool
How to Access the Stencil Application Tool
Option 1. Left navigation menu or Right-Click (alt click) menu
Right-click (command-click) on the Asset-Map (also available on the "Actions" menu on the left-side navigation menu while on the Asset-Map).
Select Stencils
Select Apply Stencil
Select Public Library or My Stencils
Scroll through the picklist and click on the desired Stencil
Click Apply Stencil
Additional Interface Options
Copy a Public Library Stencil to My Stencils for Customizing
You can make a public stencil your own by adding it to your personal library (My Stencils tab). Though this isn't necessary, it's good to customize the specific stencil for your use. Click the "+" to the right of the desired stencil to copy the public stencil into your library.
Preview the Stencil
How to Apply Part of a Stencil to One Member
You can apply part of a stencil to a household member.
Choose a specific stencil to work with.
Take a look at the preview of the stencil to see the tiles that belong to the Primary or other member on the map.
Click "No" when asked to Apply stencil to entire household?
From the left drop-down menu, select a specific member of the stencil whose financials will be applied.
From the right drop-down menu, select the household member you wish to apply the Stencil financials to.
Click Apply Stencil.
The one member's stencil tiles will apply to the one household member.
Joint Ownership: In these cases, take note of joint accounts on the stencil that have been applied to one client household member. They will have "JT" within the financial tiles. Edit those financials and change the Interested Member's ownership percentage.
"Public Library" and "My Stencils" Libraries
Asset-Map Platform hosts a library of stencils that you may use. Your broker-dealer may restrict the types of stencils available. You can create your own custom stencils, which will be stored in your Household Index and displayed in the "My Stencils" library.
We encourage you to use the Public Library stencils as a starting point to make your own and store them in your My Stencils library (hosted in your Household Index).
Option 2. From the Sidebar Applet menu
Click the Stencil Applet to manage Stencils from the Sidebar.
Click the Sidebar Applet for Stencils
Select desired library (typically Public Library)
Click Apply Stencil. You may preview the stencil by clicking the image icon prior to applying it to get an idea of what conversation tiles will be applied.
Additional Interface Options
Select specific member: You may apply the stencil "in full" or apply part of the stencil to one of the household members by selecting the No option.
Add stencil to your household index for customizing: Click the " + " icon to add the stencil to your own household index where you can customize it to your liking and apply it to future households using the My Stencils library.
How to Clear Stencil Tiles
Option 1: Use the "Clear Stencil" button on any stencil applicator interface to remove all stencil tiles at once.
Option 2: Use the Search and Select Tool
Expand the Search and Select tool bar: Click the "Search and Select" icon in the upper right area of the Asset-Map page.
Click the individual tiles meant for removal.
Select the Delete option on the Search and Select toolbar.
Option 3: Delete a Stencil Financial individually
Select individual tiles for deletion by clicking the undesired tile to open its edit window. Click the trashcan icon to remove the tile.
Tips to Know About a Stencil
Target-Maps™ and Comprehensive Reports are not available for households set as Type: "Stencil".
Stencil financials with a value will be displayed and calculated on Target-Maps and the Financials page.
Stencil placeholder financials are applied to the corresponding Member's "Relationship" setting.
For example:
The "Primary" Member in Stencil is applied to the Primary Member in Household.
The "Spouse" Member in Stencil is applied to the Spouse Member in Household. The "Dependent" Member in Stencil is applied to the Dependent Member in Household, etc.Convert stencil financials to household financials by saving/updating after modifying them with your client's information. They inherit a colored border like other financials on the map.
Questions and Answers
Q. Why are only my primary stencil member's stencil tiles applying when I have a spouse (or other relationship type) on my stencil as well?
A. There are a few reasons that only part of the stencil is applied to a household.
a. Ensure the relationships match between the stencil members and client household members. There is a one-to-one relationship of relationship types between the client household members and stencil members. Ensure the household members are the same as the stencil's members. For example:
Primary (on the stencil) = Primary (on the client household);
Spouse (on the stencil) = Spouse (on the client household).
b. Ensure you are selecting a multi-member stencil instead of a single member stencil. The stencil selector displays what type each stencil is.
Q. Why can't I print Target-Maps or Reports from Stencil Households?
A. Stencil Households deactivate the Target-Maps and Reports pages. Once a Stencil household is applied to a Client, Prospective, or Sample household, printing and Target-Maps become available.
Q. What's the difference between a stencil household and any other type of household in my Household Index?
A. Here are the differences:
A Stencil Household is listed as Stencil in the Status column of your Household Index.
A Stencil Household is listed in the Apply Stencil tool in the My Stencils list.
Stencil Households do not include other reports such as Target-Maps.
The intents differ. The intent of a Stencil is to provide groups of placeholder tiles as an overlay on a client map to encourage discovery and conversation, while a client's Asset-Map represents the current state of the client's financial situation. Applying a Stencil speeds up data entry
Q. Do you have a (name a specific household situation) stencil? How do I get them?
A. There may be a number of reasons for this.
Either your Broker Dealer might have limited the stencil selection
Uur default stencil list does not include it.
You may be looking at the wrong tab in the Stencil application tool. Click the Public Library for our platform stencils instead of the My Stencils tab (which may be empty if you do not have custom built stencils yet).
Please note: you have the ability to create your own custom stencil by clicking the Add Household icon ("+"), and choosing Stencil from the drop menu.
Q. Stencil won't apply or doesn't appear even though there is a confirmation box?
A. Please check the following list of potential causes.
Make sure that no financials are "linked" to others. Check the Essentials page Link to menu. Check the Legal Entity's Linked Members menu. Remove linked members.
Make sure that all end ages are under 100 years old (change Age/Date menu to Age to view the age in the Age box).
Make sure that the stencil member or client age is not zero (change Age/Date menu to Age to view the age in the Age box).
Check all financials' value as of age/date field on the Essentials page. Ensure it is empty.
Ensure there are no assigned beneficiaries on the Details page
Q. Can I make my own Stencils?
A. Yes! Learn how to make your own Stencils here. Your stencils will reside the My Stencils page in the Apply Stencil interface.
Q. The stencil didn't apply because one member relationship is partner not a spouse. How do I get stencil tiles to apply to a partner?
A. Apply part of a multi-member stencil to just one household member.
Here's how:
Right-click on the Asset-Map and select Stencils > Apply Stencil.
Choose your stencil from Public Library or My Stencils.
When asked "Apply stencil to entire household?" click No.
In the left dropdown, select which member from the stencil you want to use.
In the right dropdown, select which household member you want to apply it to.
Click Apply Stencil.
The tiles from that one stencil member will now appear on your selected household member's side of the map.
Note: If the stencil has joint accounts (marked "JT"), you'll need to edit those tiles and adjust the ownership percentages after applying.