Practice

A Florida federal court rejected Merrill Lynch's petition to vacate an arbitration decision on Monday, clearing the way for two financial advisors to receive a $10.25 million awarded to them in April.

As the advisory universe ages, it's inevitable that more advisors will retire, become disabled, or die. Just as inevitable, there will be more sales of interests in advisory practices or entire practices. But just how valuable will those practices be, with most clients drawing down rather than building up the assets that advisors manage?

As wealth management firms journey into emerging markets, asking the right questions in the right manner will reduce the risks associated with client selection.

ING U.S., the holding company for ING U.S.'s core Retirement, Investment Management and Insurance businesses, has expanded the roles and responsibilities for some members of its executive team.

The FDIC is trying to help bankers prep for exams and more clearly understand the results as part of a broader effort at improving relations, Martin Gruenberg, the agency's acting Chairman, said.

J. Kevin Stophel has moved on after 13 years with the firm to establish an independent wealth practice partnered with Concert Advisor Services and Concert Wealth Management Inc.

Planners who structure their practices in a way that compels their best clients to mention them to friends and family will enjoy a steady stream of right-fit business.

Despite a rocky economic environment, affluent pre-retirees are more optimistic about the future, but remain wary of credit card companies and large banks.

Advisors who stay stuck in their comfort zone may have a neat and tidy life, but, it will simply be a fraction of what it could be had they continued to evolve and max out their God-given lifetime capability. Best-selling author Steve Sanduski shares 9 ways advisors can continue to evolve and reap great benefits, both personally and professionally.

When it comes to figuring out how you will improve your services or what new things you can do for clients, there is a lively debate about where those ideas should come from. Are you overlooking an obvious source for new and profitable ideas?