Howard J. Stock

Commission says FINRA is Congress’ best bet for policing advisors.

Bank-based advisors’ average production holds its ground, thanks to improving spreads on fixed annuities and stronger market conditions.

Low interest rates and a market skepticism keep annuities down in 2010, but 2011 looks brighter.

Premiums are up, but dry rot at the core of life insurance’s delivery system threatens its long-term prospects.

International fiscal stimuli and expectations of rising inflation tilt the balance in equities’ favor.

Leading too fast with solutions can lose you a female prospect, warns Empyrion Wealth Management’s Kimberly Foss.

The six-year-old firm picks up another three businesses to expand its national business.

Defined-contribution plans need more disclosure and better product options, according to Mercer.

It’s a nerve-wracking jolt into the electronic age, but converting your paper files to bytes streamlines both your client services and your compliance readiness.

Fixed annuities sales were steady at $1.1 billion, whereas variable annuities gained $100 million from a month earlier ending November at $1.5 billion, according to data from Kehrer-LIMRA.

Consumers’ perception of their own bank remains strong, while overall sentiment about the industry remains sour.

Mora, who is vice president and senior relationship manager on the trust side of Bank of the West’s wealth management operation in Newport Beach, Calif., will act as chairman of the board for one year.

LPL advisor Ben Marks is making a name for himself—and distancing himself from Wall Street—by building his clients portfolios of homegrown stocks.

No one even knows whether using social media helps advisors, but one thing’s for sure — prevent advisors from prospecting and you’ll lose them.

What Jon Wax learned about buying an advisory business from a retiring financial planner (his mother).

Community banks’ investment programs booked a modest improvement in the third quarter.

While wealth management firms have increased communications in the wake of the financial crisis, their clients complain they don’t understand what they’re being given.

While lavish recruitment packages are becoming the norm for Wall Street, all that glitters is not gold.

Variable annuities outsell fixed, but overall sales figures are uninspiring.

Single-premium policy sales jump, spurred by low rates on fixed annuities, plus simplified products and better automated processing.