Research summary

Survey reveals advisor opportunity on proxy voting

June 05, 2025

Bar charts showing that overall, 72% of total advisors think that less than 30% of their investor clients would be interested in a proxy voting choice program. By channel, 71% of broker-dealers and 75% of registered investment advisors think that less than 30% of their investor clients would be interested in a proxy voting choice program.
Bar charts showing that only one in five advisors believe it’s either extremely or very important for asset managers to consider investor preferences when casting votes for their equity funds. In contrast, 50% of individual investors thought it was extremely or very important for asset managers to consider investor preferences.
Bar charts showing that 34% of advisors feel proxy voting choice significantly or slightly increases the attractiveness of mutual funds among fund investors. In contrast, 58% of individual investors felt proxy voting choice significantly or slightly increases the attractiveness of mutual funds.
A bar chart showing that 47% of advisors believe that adopting proxy voting choice programs allows them to add value by enabling clients’ preferences, 27% believe adopting these programs allows advisors to differentiate themselves from other advisors, 27% believe these programs enable new ways for advisors to connect with existing clients, 20% believe these programs help advisors stay ahead of industry trends, and 19% believe these programs help advisors reach the next generation of clients or younger members of their clients’ families. 31% of advisors surveyed said they saw no benefits to proxy voting choice programs.
A bar chart showing that 53% of advisors cited ease of use as one of the top three reasons to consider a proxy choice option for their clients, while 43% cited low cost to implement and 39% cited client demand.
A bar chart showing that 60% of advisors identify issuing dividends as one of the top three governance topics of importance to investor clients, and 49% cite executive pay. Social issues such as human rights or diversity (21%) and environmental matters (20%) were at the bottom of the list of topics cited by advisors. Among individual investors, 41% cited issuing dividends, 44% cited executive pay, 29% cited human rights or diversity, and 24% cited environmental matters as one of the top three most important governance topics.

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