Financial Planning

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• Features

• Wealth Management Report

  By David E. Adler

  Advisors are weaving practice management safety nets made of communication, professionalism and trust.

• AIG Advisor Group: They're Back

  By Paul Menchaca

  With new leadership at its parent company in place and a sale averted, the AIG Advisor Group believes it is now in a position to prosper. But first, it has to get beyond its identification with a company that brought the world economy to its knees.

• From SRI to ESG

  By David J. Drucker

  Socially responsible investing has evolved from targeting such vices as booze and cigarettes to focusing on the environment and governance. But advisors worry about performance.

• Columns

• Measure What Matters

  By Deena Katz

  By keeping track of the right information, you can discover what your current profitability is—and how to get it where you want it to be.

Industry Insight

• Scripts from the Past

  By Bob Veres

  Here's a way to identify some of the ghosts that haunt your client relationships—and spook the rest of our financial lives.

The Elite Advisor

• Success on Purpose

  By John J. Bowen, Jr.

  The most successful advisors don't just expect good things to happen. They pursue initiative with focus and drive.

• Industry

• The CEO Imperative

  By Donna Mitchell

  Advisors are maintaining their focus on growth. But they are also brushing up on their executive skills to build thriving businesses.

Fund Manager

• The Tortoise Wins

  By Ilana Polyak

  Meridian Growth doesn't go for momentum plays, and its measured approach is working.

• Departments

My Word

• Get Serious

  By Marc S. Freedman

  Mass-affluent baby boomers are a huge market, and they need advice as well as investments. Are you ready to help them?

The Portfolio

• Tried and True

  By Dan Moisand

  In the wake of recent market events, even some veteran advisors are criticizing the buy-and-hold approach. But do their arguments hold water?

• An Age-Old Question

  By Craig L. Israelsen

  Can you determine portfolio asset allocation based solely on a client's chronological age?

• Better Than Nothing

  By Donald Jay Korn

  Clients are piling up cash, for both anticipated spending needs and future opportunities. but where do you put it? In the country of the 0% money fund, the 1% payer is king.

The Practice

• Generational Transfer

  By Scott Schutte

  As clients' children become adults, you can provide materials to help transfer financial skills—and create a new generation of wealth-builders.

• Born to Lead

  By Donald B. Trone

  Every great organization has an ethos. Defining yours is the key to becoming a fiduciary leader.

• Marketing that Works

  By Stephanie Bogan

  Rather than thinking up fancy campaigns, try something simple. Then do it again.

The Client

• Unwed and Planning

  By Susan B. Weiner

  Unmarried couples are a growing part of your client base. Estate planning for these clients—while complex—is extremely important.

• The Tax Dance

  By Donald Jay Korn

  Year-end tax planning may be more complicated than ever now that there are reasons to take gains as well as losses.

• Forgiveness, for Some

  By Julian Block

  New rules in the tax code offer a break for homeowners upside down on their mortgages. But the relief-only temporary-comes with stipulations.

Data

• Signs of Life

  By Stacy Schultz

  ETFs have have taken major steps toward recovery so far this year. But uncertainty restrains investors from rallying.

• High Net Worth

• Good Deeds, Done Well

  By Ron Cordes

  Genworth executive Ron Cordes travelled to Uganda to witness the impact of the microfinance and social entrepreneurship programs his family foundation helps fund. Here is his report.

Estate Planning

• Succession To-Do List

  By Martin M. Shenkman

  Succession planning is vital to any good financial plan. Here's what your clients—and you—need to know.

Practice Profile

• Mr. Mutual Fund

  By Jim Grote

  A 40-year financial planning veteran, Vern Hayden sold his practice in 2006—to a bank.