Financial Advisors using Vanguard- downloads not working

[PWatson]

I am a CFP, using Vanguard almost exclusively, and can no longer retrieve/download through my limited-agent access. Retrievals still work as long as I'm using the clients login info, but I have mulitple LPOA accounts, which use my login info. It has always been slower to retrieve this way, and I have attributed it to the number of accounts, but now it simply doesn't work. Are there any other users out there who have 250+ accounts to download and are experiencing the same?

[Mark]

Hi PWatson,

A couple of ideas:

1) Try erasing the account number from one of your sub-portfolios you're retrieving, and then do a retrieve with your login (not the client login). It should give you a list of all the account numbers that are available to your login. Maybe the account number is changed? Maybe Vanguard changed your permissions...

2) If #1 doesn't resolve the issue, call Vanguard, and ask them if your login has access to retrieve their accounts on their OFX server. You might need to mention the keyword Quicken to them, so they know what you're talking about.

[PWatson]

Mark,

I had tried erasing the account number, in order to pull in a list from which to choose, but it was no different. You and I have talked about my slow retrievals before, and they have been much better until the last couple of weeks, when all came to a stop. I'll contact Vanguard and inquire about the OFX download.

Thanks,

[PWatson]

Mark,

I spoke with IT at Vanguard today. Something ventured, nothing gained, however. Not sure what might have changed, but I am not able to access any of my LPOA accounts, nor any of my personal Vanguard accounts, through FM. Client accounts, for whom I have their personal log in info are working just fine on FM. I can still log on to Vanguard.com with my user name and password, so that shouldn't be the problem. Are there others that are having this issue, or is it just me? Does FM have a Vanguard IT contact who could shed some light on this?

[Mark]

Hi PWatson,

We don't have any special contact at Vanguard. I can confirm that Vanguard is working okay from here with several different accounts.

Did the Vanguard IT person you spoke with say whether or not your client accounts should be available on their OFX server? Did you ask about access with Quicken? They may not be familiar with the term OFX, but they should be aware of the Quicken interface. Quicken and FM both use the same OFX interface, so if they can support you getting it working for Quicken it will work for FM as well.

[PWatson]

Mark,

FM works fine when accessing an individual account direct with that particular participant/clients log in information. I don't keep or care to know my clients usernames and passwords, but will have them enter them into FM when in the office. Of course, if and when they change the passwords, my access is gone until they re-enter the password into FM.
On the other hand, I have limited-agent authority on most of my client accounts, which allows me to log on to Vanguard using my own username and password, and see all of those client accounts. I could also do that through FM, until recently. I can still retrieve data from accounts that are linked directly, but cannot retrieve anything when using my user name and password. Today, I got an error code 12030, I believe. I just tried to retrieve again, and it simply did nothing. Very frustrating. Are there any other FM users who are financial advisors with similar linkage to Vanguard, and if so, are they having successful retrievals?

[Mark]

Hi PWatson,

I'm not aware of anyone else accessing Vanguard the way you are describing (as a financial advisor, on behalf of their client). They may be, but I'm not aware of any such cases. We of course wouldn't know unless someone specifically told us.

It really sounds like something with Vanguard's OFX server changed, like they removed access for your account to your client's accounts on their OFX server. We have no insight into this. I would suggest trying to contact them again, and specifically ask them about the Quicken interface for your clients, using your login, and if that should work.