Donna M. Mitchell

Insurance companies and broker-dealers sold $7.4 billion million in annuity products in April, down from $7.7 billion in March, the Depository Trust & Clearing Corporation announced.

Dan Arnold will replace Robert Moore, the former CFO who was named president and chief operating officer of LPL in May.

Pension plans sponsored by S&P 1500 companies saw their deficits grow to $488 billion by the end of May, wiping out the positive performance they had achieved in the first quarter, according to New York-based consulting firm Mercer.

The SEC has conducted routine inspections of FINRA’s advertising and arbitration programs, but not as frequently as it had planned.

Fidelity's latest poll offers some surprising answers: advisors are spending less time on client service and more time on risk and compliance.

Principals of RIA firms need to pay closer attention to workflow and operational issues at their firms, especially if they want to stay viable amid rising operational costs, Pershing Advisor Solutions said.

The newly combined Boston-based RIA will have $2.5 billion of client assets.

The Financial Services Institute issued a letter arguing an SRO modeled after FINRA is the best of all alternatives, and FINRA rebutted criticism of its cost estimates for an investment advisor regulator.

Independent advisors generate 55% of commissions in Raymond James’ Private Client Group, which encompasses the firm’s various advisory business models.

In cases where an advisor has created a financial plan for a client, Advisor Access now features a hyperlink to the Goal Planning & Management component powered by MoneyGuidePro.

Advisors should encourage their clients to take advantage of current gifting opportunities, now that individuals can give others cash gifts up to $13,000 tax-free.

Successful advisors have more efficient practices, they keep up to speed on products and trends, are better positioned to withstand uncertain markets, and they are better prepared to handle specific economic challenges like low interest rates, according to Cara Farchione, manager of retirement solutions for Raymond James.

Pending legislative decisions around the fiduciary requirement for all advisors is not a threatening issue, Raymond James Financial Services Chairman Dick Averitt told a packed general session at its National Conference for Professional Development on Monday.

The SEC has charged Seattle-area financial advisor, Mark Spangler, with defrauding clients by secretly investing $47.7 million in two start-up companies he co-founded.

Sallie Larsen will ensure that LPL remains an engaging workplace for its staff and professionals, including those who recruit advisors to the independent broker-dealer.

The tool will help advisors partner with other advisors within the LPL Financial network.

Botsford Group specializes in asset protection strategies, and manages clients’ investing through its proprietary Lifestyle Driven Investing approach.

Independent Financial Partners, one of LPL Financial’s largest branches by revenue, had a surge of growth in the first quarter, increasing revenues by 65% and adding 47 professionals to the firm, the company announced.

Investors are as satisfied with full-service investment firms as they were before the recession, but client expectations have spiked, according to a J.D. Power and Associates study. Which firms are investors most satisfied with?

Younger members of ultra-wealthy households are grappling with their forebears for a say in wealth planning, and women are concerned about how money affects their relationships.