Financial Planning

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• Features

• Oh, the Drama

  By Paul Menchaca

  It's been a year of shocks, scandals, crashes, and collapses. And yet, broker-dealers persevere. In the face of new regulation and slower growth, opportunities remain, especially for the bold.

• The Biggest, Fastest-Growing Independent Broker-Dealers 2009

  By Editorial Staff

  Revenues, payouts, sales and other data from the 91 largest, fastest-growing independent BDs, all ranked by total revenues.

• Columns

• Invest in People

  By Deena Katz

  It's tempting to turn inward in bad times, but those who do miss new opportunities. here's how to encourage yourself—and your staff—to embrace growth.

Industry Insight

• The Schapiro Doctrine

  By Bob Veres

  Why is it modern to treat salespersons and professionals alike? Why?

The Elite Advisor

• Culture Clash

  By John J. Bowen Jr.

  Before they can become strategic partners, CPAs and financial advisors need to change some negative perceptions of one another.

• Industry

• Post-Boom

  By Paul Menchaca

  As insurers try to sell annuities to jittery consumers, many are turning back the clock on product design.

Fund Manager

• Not How, But How Much

  By Ilana Polyak

  Thornburg investment income builder seeks out income everywhere.

• Departments

My Word

• "Other" Crises

  By Richard "Mac" Hisey

  When your clients encounter catastrophic events, do they turn to you for advice? New research says no.

The Portfolio

• Buy and Hope

  By Ilana Polyak

  How did this tried and true investment strategy lead advisors into the mauling bear?

• The Value Premium

  By Craig L. Israelsen

  Investors building passive beta-based portfolios should overweight value indexes and underweight growth indexes.

• Loss Leaders

  By Donald Jay Korn

  After the worst year for mutual funds in decades, future gains are likely to be less taxing for shareholders.

• Mapping Indexes

  By Richard A. Ferri

  Introducing a groundbreaking new tool for analyzing and selecting index funds and ETFs.

The Practice

• What Clients Want Now

  By Ingrid Case

  To keep skittish clients, advisors must talk calmly about the markets, reconfigure portfolios and take advantage of today's opportunities.

• Smartphone Smarts

  By Joel P. Bruckenstein

  Mobile computing is the final frontier of efficiency-—and phones are finally up to the task.

The Client

• Annuity Ladders

  By Dave Lindorff

  This old technique is new again, as advisors seek to create steady retirement income streams in a volatile climate.

• Know the Score

  By Donald Jay Korn

  Today, high credit scores are a financial asset. Are you helping clients make the most of theirs?

Data

• Falling Fast

  By Frank O'Connor

  Has the drop in variable annuity sales bottomed out? only time will tell.

• High Net Worth

• Stretch that Gift

  By Martin Shenkman

  Split-dollar insurance planning can maximize the power of an estate plan while it frees up cash for gifts in the here and now.

Practice Profile

• Finding Freedom

  By Jim Grote

  John Sestina teaches clients to seek independence rather than wealth.