Margarida Correia

For the week ended July 3, investors steered an estimated $1.68 billion into long-term mutual funds, about half the amount they invested a week earlier, according to the Investment Company Institute.

Northern Trust has appointed 12-year company veteran Laura G. Mandel president of the Northern Trust Co. of Delaware.

The 12-month global economic outlook of top executives around the world darkened in the second quarter, according to the CGMA Global Economic Index released today.

Investors threw $105 billion into exchange-traded products in the first half of 2012, giving the global ETP industry its largest-ever first-half-year inflow.

For the week ended June 27, investors pulled an estimated $1.46 billion from mutual funds that invest long-term in U.S. equities, down 21% from the previous week’s $1.85 billion outflow.

BNY Mellon has hired Christopher Ross as a senior portfolio manager in its wealth management office in Washington, D.C.

Investors poured $12.84 billion into exchange-traded funds and notes during the month of June, bringing total half-year inflows to $75.91 billion, up 31% from a year ago.

Bank holding companies raked in $118.4 billion in wealth management income in 2011, up 1.35% from $116.9 billion in 2010. The increase comes despite a lackluster fourth quarter, the industry’s weakest since the beginning of 2009.

Advisors who provide services to defined contribution plan sponsors can boost client loyalty through greater plan support and oversight, according to a study by Cogent Research.

Almost half of credit union customers referred family and friends, besting large banks, which had a 32% referral rate.

Investors pulled an estimated $1.85 billion from U.S. equity funds the week ended June 20, almost three times the $620 million withdrawn a week earlier.

As if on cue, the economy has once again stalled after a promising first quarter, just as it’s done for the past three years.

Investment Professionals Inc. will provide investment and wealth management services to Eclipse Bank, a $135 million community bank based in Louisville, Kentucky.

For bank reps looking to advance their careers, there’s no better news than a promotion or a job offer that’s too good to refuse. Here’s a sampling of bank reps who were recently promoted or moved to new organizations to assume roles of greater responsibility.

Gus Sauter, managing director and chief investment officer of Vanguard, will retire from the firm at the end of the year. Mortimer J. “Tim” Buckley, a managing director, will succeed him.

Unlike funds that target clean tech or alternative energy, the new ETF will focus on a broader universe of companies that have the goal of making money.

For the week ended June 13, investors placed an estimated $5.46 billion into virtually all categories of mutual funds, more than compensating for the previous week’s $1.55 billion outflow.

Jeffrey Mortimer will lead the firm’s investment strategy committee and play a lead role in communicating its insights on markets, investment dynamics and portfolio strategy.

Advisors significantly underestimate how many of their wealthy clients contribute regularly to charities and how much they give. This represents a missed opportunity for everyone.

Advisors are more committed than ever to helping clients with their retirement income planning but they still face a host of challenges.