First Union Contemplates Independent Broker Channel Expansion 

Apr 3, 2001,

Mike Hayes, Senior Editor

Fresh off the heels of its JW Genesis acquisition, First Union Corp. wants to expand its platform for independent brokers, says Don McMullen, vice chairman...

Morgan Stanley Name Change Official 

Apr 3, 2001,

Rick Weinberg, Online Editor

Morgan Stanley Dean Witter officially became Morgan Stanley on Monday, shortening its name because the firm considered it “unwieldy.” The firm decided...

Dent Doesn’t Back Down, Still Predicts Dow to Hit 36,000 

Mar 30, 2001,

Tom Nelson, Senior Writer

Despite current upheavals in the markets, author and demographer Harry Dent is standing by his contention that the Dow could hit 36,000 by 2007 or 2008....

The Independent Life 

Mar 29, 2001,

RR Staff

Being an independent rep can impact all aspects of your life. In this section, meet brokers at work, at play and in the process of prepping for the future. Plus, learn what Registered Representative's exclusive survey reveals about independent contractors and their businesses....

Merrill Retail Profits Jumped 17% in 2000 

Mar 28, 2001,

Mike Hayes, Senior Editor

Merrill Lynch’s pretax earnings from its retail operation jumped 17% to $1.6 billion for the year 2000. According to a 10-K report filed with the SEC...

RJFS CEO Predicts Significant Jumps in Reps, Fee-Based Planning 

Mar 27, 2001,

Rick Weinberg, Online Editor

Raymond James Financial Services, which grew to a record 3,909 brokers in 2000, projects to increase at an average rate of 500 brokers per year over the...

Employees Bound by Arbitration Agreements, Supreme Court Says 

Mar 22, 2001,

Dan Jamieson, Editor in Chief

The U.S. Supreme Court yesterday made clear that employees are bound by agreements to arbitrate employment disputes. The case, Circuit City Stores v....

Weakened Environment Will Impact Number of MSDW Reps 

Mar 22, 2001,

Rick Weinberg, Online Editor

The number of Morgan Stanley Dean Witter global financial advisers grew 1,036 over the last 12 months to a record 14,108, according to Robert Scott, the...

Fund Industry Fights Upstarts 

Mar 20, 2001,

Dan Jamieson, Editor in Chief

The mutual fund industry is grappling with a declining market as well as potential new competitors. Both issues surfaced at the Investment Company Institute’s...

SSB Wins Two CAP Cases 

Mar 16, 2001,

Rick Weinberg, with Tom Nelson

Salomon Smith Barney has won two separate arbitrations related to its Capital Accumulation Plan. In Mary Elizabeth Whyte vs. SSB, Whyte claimed that the...

Merrill Unveils New Segmented Sales Force Structure 

Mar 12, 2001,

Michael Hayes

Merrill Lynch is dividing its sales force of 16,000 retail brokers into three categories: Financial Advisors (formerly called Financial Consultants) for...

Fees Versus Commissions 

Mar 9, 2001,

Dan Jamieson and Rick Weinberg

Four reps debate why they prefer one style to the other, what's best for clients and where the industry is heading.

...

SIA Survey Shows Progress Made in Mutual Fund Portability 

Mar 8, 2001,

Tom Nelson

A study by the SIA on mutual fund portability indicates that more than 90% of mutual funds distributed by top firms are “as portable or more portable...

Web-Based Financial Services Have Yet to Win Consumer Acceptance, According to Study 

Mar 6, 2001,

RR Online

Despite the pervasiveness of online trading, most Web-based financial services have yet to win acceptance among consumers, according to a study by Mercer...

Broker Conference Notes: In a Rough Market, Opportunities Abound 

Mar 2, 2001,

Michael Hayes

Even in this tumultuous market, opportunities are everywhere for brokers who recognize them, according to speakers at the SIA's second annual Financial...

Merrill Expanding Wealth Management Group 

Mar 1, 2001,

Michael Hayes

Merrill Lynch is looking for a few good brokers within its ranks to focus entirely on the firm's ultra-affluent investors--households with $10 million...

SSB, Merrill Launch New Web Services 

Feb 28, 2001,

Rosalyn Retkwa

Salomon Smith Barney on Monday launched two new services for clients with online access--its own account aggregation service (separate from parent Citigroup's...

Schwab to Provide Investment Consulting With Callan 

Feb 27, 2001,

Tom Nelson, Senior Writer

Charles Schwab & Co. has teamed with the consulting firm of Callan Associates to provide investment consulting for Schwab advisers beginning sometime...

Center of Influence 

Feb 26, 2001,

Tom Nelson

Referrals can be the lifeblood of brokers' businesses.Steve Saenz, a business coach at Paragon Resources in Atlanta, has a marketing method he says will...

Fees Versus Commissions 

Feb 26, 2001

Fees Versus Commissions

Four reps debate why they prefer one style to the other, what’s best for clients and where the industry is heading....

RR Commentary 

Feb 23, 2001

Commentary: RR Magazine's Editor in Chief Dan Jamieson's Comment Letter to the SEC on the NASDR's Proposed TRO Rule May 1, 2000 Securities and Exchange...

Securities Training Exec Sees No Signs of Hiring Slowdown 

Feb 22, 2001,

Mike Hayes, Senior Editor

The president of one of Wall Street's largest training firms says sluggish market conditions haven't slowed down enrollment in his company's exam preparation...

Reforming Do-It-Yourselfers 

Feb 22, 2001

"Reforming Do-It-Yourselfers" Full-service reps are welcoming transfers from online firms--and the reason isn't always lost dollars. In online land, weak...

Hot Links: Key Web Sites for Stockbrokers 

Feb 21, 2001

RR Online synopsis of industry-related Web sites Web sites of interest to brokers, including regulatory organizations, broker/adviser groups, industry...

First Union CEO Says 2001Will Be Belt-Tightening Year 

Feb 16, 2001,

Mike Hayes, Senior Editor

Following several years of furious spending on acquisitions, First Union is concentrating on “expense management and expense control” in 2001, President...