I agree with the part about reading and trying to learn everything you can about where to invest your money, but not everyone wants/ enjoys learning about investing, any more than I would enjoy learning how to fix my car or do my own plumbing.  The investment advisor at the big banks, you suggest, has a more accurate title, namely salesman & are only going to pitch their higher cost funds, and limited to what their bank sells.  I enjoy holding stocks & etfs but for those that don't understand them, I would use the John Bogle approach and simple buy the index with the broadest diversification & cheapest price.