Former Merrill Lynch Team Launches As RIA Firm
A regional team of former representatives at Bank of America Merrill Lynch have launched their own independent advisory firm, affiliated with Focus Financial Partners.

Advisor Stands to Reap AUM Windfall After Facebook IPO
A media shy financial advisor in Silicon Valley, Divesh Makan of Iconiq Capital, stands to bring in a potentially historic haul of new assets under management when Facebook launches its long-anticipated IPO.

Investors Trust Advisors and the Fed, But Not Congress
The survey, conducted by John Hancock Financial in late 2011, showed that 82% of investors who work with a financial advisor have a high level of trust in that advisor.

Ameriprise Advisory and Wealth Management Operating Earnings Fall 14% in Q4
Ameriprise’s Advice and Wealth Management Business saw its pretax operating earnings fall 14% to $83 million in the fourth quarter compared to the same period one year ago as a result of volatility that gripped the markets and increased investment in the unit, the firm said in its earnings release Wednesday.

Mariner Wealth Takes Majority Stake in Tulsa RIA
As part of the arrangement, Adams Hall will retain its name and gradually integrate its operations and systems into Mariner’s over time.

Fidelity EVP: 'Investors Frozen in Headlines'
Lynne A. Goldman, Fidelity Investments Institutional Services' executive vice president of investment product management and marketing, talks about how the business helps advisors help investors.

Two Southern RIA Firms Join Forces
The acquisition of Birmingham, Ala.-based Chitwood Advisory Group marks Atlanta Capital’s second wealth management acquisition since June 2011.

Lebenthals Eye Wealth Management Growth With Dynasty Financial Partnership
In a major coup, Dynasty lands a storied client for performance reporting and advisory support services.

Planning Industry Braces for 'Aggressive' Consolidation
They may have different expectations on the pace, but a variety of factors will mean aggressive consolidation in the industry, planning executives said at this week's Financial Services Institute’s annual OneVoice conference in Orlando.

Top Priorities for Advisors in 2012: Increasing Client Control, Reducing Costs
To not only survive, but thrive in 2012 and beyond, planners need to do two tricky things exceptionally well simultaneously: reduce expenses and increase their technology and mobile capabilities to engage younger, tech savvy clients.

• U.S. Retirement Market Projected to Hit $22 Trillion by 2016
• When Hedge Funds and Mutual Funds Collide
• Obama Still Wants a Muni Cap
• Active ETF for Global Opportunities Set to Launch
• U.S. Households Investigating But Not Buying Life Insurance

News You May Have Missed

FINRA Says Schwab Undermined Customers' Rights

To Reach Clients Through Social Media, Talk About Yourself

Northwestern Mutual Steps Up Recruiting Efforts

Videos

Upgrading, Expanding Your Practice, Part 1

TD Ameritrade CEO Fred Tomczyk Sees Advisors, Clients Ratcheting Down Risk

The Road To Independence: Implementing A Business Plan

Road To Independence: Creating A Business Plan

Staying Aware of Possible Fraud

Leveraging ETFs in Today’s Market

Slide Shows

Top 10 Traits Firms Want From New Advisor Hires

The 5 Biggest Threats to Your Clients’ Retirement Nest Eggs

10 Mind Tricks That Keep Your Clients In The Red

10 M&A Deals That Shaped RIAs in 2011

12 Terrifying Retirement Facts Keeping Boomers – And Their Advisors – Up at Night

Podcasts

Five Steps To Powerful Strategic Alliances

The Value Of Vision: Create, Communicate, Act

The Power Of Public Speaking – Maximizing Your Impact