Oct 14, 2010
By Kristen French
Two former Merrill brokers won $1.167 million in an arbitration award from Merrill Lynch for deferred compensation benefits that were supposed to vest if they left for “Good Reason” following a change of ownership at the firm. It's the first case nationally of its kind for Merrill brokers. ...
Oct 13, 2010
By Charles Paikert
Once the Securities and Exchange Commission officially defines the term “family office” (and it took the first step in that direction yesterday, 12 Oct.), the floodgates may open for registered investment advisors to capture a chunk of that heretofore mysterious market’s assets....
Oct 11, 2010
By Susan Konig
Oct 8, 2010
By Kristen French
Long the laggard in recruiting bonuses among its wirehouse rivals, Wells hiked its offering for top producers to 295 percent from 195 percent two weeks ago....
Oct 6, 2010
By Jerry Gleeson
A sluggish economy dampens prices; why should professional examinations be an exception? The Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards recently lopped $100 off the $595 price of its notoriously rigorous certification exam for applicants who were planning to take the test for a second time (or more)....
Oct 5, 2010
By Halah Touryalai
Working in teams improves efficiency for financial advisors. There are all kinds of team models, but a few basic rules can help set you on the right path....
Oct 4, 2010
By John Aidan Byrne
Bragging rights are just that. But it sure is nice to say you're number one....
Sep 29, 2010
By Jerry Gleeson
“What keeps you up at night?” is considered the classic problem that advisors seek to solve for their clients. But often it’s what’s not keeping clients up at night that poses the real threat to their financial well-being. ...
Sep 28, 2010
By Jerry Gleeson
In the months ahead, FAs can expect to hear more from custodians about platforms and technology that will allow for integration of various tech functions....
Sep 27, 2010
By Lynn O'Shaughnessy
When your clients attempt to pinpoint what their college costs will be they often underestimate the price tag. ...
Sep 24, 2010
By David A. Geracioti
The good thing about the financial advisors is that they tend to be ambitious, Type-A personalities. They want to win. The problem with financial advisors is that they tend to be ambitious, Type-A personalities who always want to win. In short, stress levels for even the most accomplished financial advisor is high—even in the best of times. ...
Sep 23, 2010
By Brad Zigler
Gold rocked in 2010. But what is the best, least volatile way to play the barbarous relic? Gold mining stocks or gold bullion via the SPDR Gold Shares (GLD)? ...
Sep 22, 2010
By Kevin McKinley
Many of your retiring clients have two primary looming fears about the coming years: either they’ll outlive their money, or spend too little and die before they can enjoy their money.
But for those who are in what is likely the most-common family status, there is a standard method of order and timing of taking Social Security retirement benefits which can help soothe the worry over living too long, or not long enough.
...
Sep 21, 2010
By Alan Lavine
Should your empty nester clients get life insurance? Perhaps--if they have a lot of personal and/or business liabilities or concerns about estate taxes. ...
Sep 20, 2010
By Kristen French
You, the financial advisor, are a popular man (or woman) these days. Everybody wants your attention. ...
Sep 17, 2010
By Mindy Diamond
Production and assets aren’t the only things that factor into wirehouse hiring decisions. Even if you all of your numbers look good, you might not get that 6-figure upfront bonus. Here’s why. ...
Sep 15, 2010
By Kristen French
Investors believe everyone who provides financial advice is already a fiduciary, according to a survey released Wednesday by a group of investment adviser and consumer protection groups. ...
Sep 15, 2010
By Jerry Gleeson
Acquisition-minded United Capital Financial Partners is ramping up its deal-making. Today it announced it bought Dunn Hogerty Investment Consulting, an independent b/d that reports client assets of $500 million in Fort Collins, Colo. “We’re not done yet,” Chief Executive Joe Duran said in an interview with Registered Rep. ...
Sep 14, 2010
By Anne Field
Getting a book published can be great for business, but you have to choose the approach that works for you and do it right. ...
Sep 13, 2010
By Susan Konig
Wall Street recruiting packages have continued to soar in the past year. But insiders say the deals are not always what they seem. These days there are a lot more strings attached and in the current market they’re not great for brokers or firms. ...
Sep 10, 2010
By Stan Luxenberg
According to Morningstar, passive portfolios hold 22 percent of fund assets, up from 11 percent in 1999. Now it is no longer possible to ignore the impact of indexing. ...
Sep 9, 2010
By Richard A. Behrendt, Senior Estate Planner, Robert W. Baird & Co.
Why Super Rich Clients Should Consider Making Taxable Gifts in 2010....
Sep 8, 2010
By Jerry Gleeson
With President Obama and congressional Republicans at loggerheads over tax cut extensions for the wealthy next year, some financial advisors say they are planning for the worst. ...
Sep 3, 2010
By John Aidan Byrne
A father and his son are among four new financial advisers with a combined $363 million of client assets who have recently joined UBS Wealth Management Americas, a UBS spokesperson confirmed to Registered Rep....
Sep 2, 2010
By Stevie D. Conlon
Changes to cost-basis law will present challenges for the brokerage community....
Creating Your A-Team
