Practice

The idea of an advisory council leaves many advisors apprehensive, but to generate new ideas, it is critical to speak with a group of clients and prospects on a regular basis to find out what's wrong (and what's right) about your practice.

Check out what the mainstream media is writing about wealth management and financial planning this week: Will bond buying erase debt, 25 ways to waste money, declaring independence and more.

Wells Fargo has tapped firm executive Jim Hays to serve as executive vice president and head of wealth brokerage services.

A sign of confidence in the economy and charitable values, more than three-fourths expect to continue or increase giving by 2017.

The June 2012 issue of Financial Planning included a controversial column from industry expert, author and instigator, Bob Veres. It launched such a vigorous debate that an entire session was dedicated to continuing the conversation at the FPA annual conference in San Antonio, Texas on Monday.

A majority of breakaway brokers have their eyes on LPL and Raymond James, according to a report by Cogent Research, a Massachusetts market research firm.

With most financial advisors mired in "analysis paralysis," adding new business can be difficult. Unfortunately, there is no magic bullet to add clients and assets, but Peter Montoya offered some essential methods to develop relationships and assets.

Commonwealth Financial Network launched "RetireReady," a customizable participant education program for independent advisors. The program will help advisors add value to retirement planning advising for sponsor clients.

Dallas-based 1st Global has launched a new offering intended to help CPA firms develop and grow wealth management services as a core part of their practices.

Healthcare is often a big retirement concern for seniors, yet less than a third that have financial planners discuss Medicare plans with their advisors, according to a recent survey commissioned by Allsup.