Practice

Financial advisors vary greatly in their approach and use of written investment policy statements with their clients, including some who don’t use these statements at all, according to Russell Investments’ latest quarterly survey of U.S. advisors.

Regulators and academics are starting to look at low volatility as an integral part of the buildup toward financial meltdowns.

In the world of trust and estate administration, where tax planning typically involves special attention to federal tax law compliance, it’s easy to lose focus on state income taxation issues. And while some states do not tax income related to trusts, states that do tax trust income have a variety of rules and criteria for which trusts are subject to tax.

Advisors need to position themselves to help clients navigate the new tax landscape, particularly when it comes to juggling the variety of mutual funds in a client's portfolio.

Charles Schwab is deepening its dedication to technology with a new agreement with DST Output.

Federal Reserve Board Chairman Ben Bernanke on Wednesday said regulators would take additional steps to eliminate the problem of "too big to fail" if current efforts fall short.

A bipartisan pair of lawmakers introduced legislation that would make it easier for workers to repay loans or withdrawals they take from their employer-sponsored 401(k) plan, drawing praise from a leading trade group representing retirement-plan advisors.

A Financial Industry Regulatory Authority arbitration panel’s rejection of compensatory damages requests from both Morgan Stanley and one of its former brokers is the latest example of how deals for sign on bonuses can sour when a new position does not work out.

“Social media networks and your website should work seamlessly to promote your brand online,” says Maggie Crowley, digital marketing coordinator of Advisor Websites. “Working together, these two channels drive an unlimited amount of interactions, impressions and ultimately sales to help grow your firm.”

New findings from Boston-based global analytics firm Cerulli Associates show that clients feel their advisors often recommend products that do not fit their risk profiles.