Practice

Strategic marketing customized for female clients helped one longtime planner build her own practice up to $100 million in AUM.

Bank of America is seeking approval of a $160 million settlement from a judge who thrice rejected requests by black financial advisers at its Merrill Lynch unit to sue as a group over alleged racial discrimination.

Regulatory reform is likely to continue on its current path if Janet Yellen, the Federal Reserve Board's vice chairman, is tapped to lead the central bank. The future is decidedly murkier if Larry Summers wins the post.

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid's surprise criticism of President Obama's plan to unwind Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac has upset the conventional wisdom surrounding housing finance reform.

Our stories about HSBC's compensation changes received a great deal of attention. Here is a sampling of opposing views on the subject.

Under a new compensation structure implemented at the beginning of the year, advisors are paid a salary plus a quarterly discretionary bonus, marking a major shift from being paid solely on commission.

Welcome to the biggest issue of Bank Investment Consultant that we've put together in my time here. Fittingly, it's also one of the most important. Last year I proclaimed our annual retirement issue to be the most important of the year. This year, we've packed even more important — and actionable — information into an even bigger volume.

Bank advisors don't have as many options as those in the independent or wirehouse channels when it comes to their own retirement planning. So a few are coming up with innovative ideas.

One of the biggest hurdles to adequate financial preparation is human inertia.

Advisors don't need to devote hours a day to get started with social media — a simple weekly message or educational information that engages people is a great start.