Practice

Steve Atkinson, "The Advisors' Coach," says investing in people, entrepreneurship and improved corporate efficiencies is a far cry from gambling and it's important that advisors and their clients appreciate the difference.

The measure of success for Christopher Donahue's defense? That the SEC so far this year has not sought a showdown on reform.

For roughly 40 years, the SEC has clashed in a "regulatory tug-of-war" with Congress over regulation of borrowers of conduit bonds, which historically have higher default rates than traditional munis, said Paul Maco, a lawyer at Bracewell & Giuliani LLP.

Raymond James is introducing software that brings clients into the planning process. "Planners usually tell me that working with clients is the best use of their time," Patrick O'Connor, senior vice president of wealth management solutions at Raymond James, said. "Instead of spending an hour-and-a-half preparing a plan and half an hour presenting it to clients, with this software an advisor might put in half an hour of prep work and take an hour-and-a-half developing the plan along with the client."

Big businesses' mixed feelings about their large bank partners are especially obvious when the conversation turns to proposed reforms of money-market funds, which corporate treasurers say could increase the power of "too big to fail" banks.

In a new survey, the CFP Board revealed just how pervasive the financial abuse of seniors has come to be. At the same time, the board is seeking new standards to help seniors - and all consumers - better understand which self-described financial advisors are truly out to serve their best interests.

In the first of what the SEC hopes will be many more such awards, a whistleblower has received $50,000 for his or her help in stopping a multi-million dollar fraud. More money may be forthcoming for the individual if other, related cases move forward. The first award comes about a year after the whistleblower program began operating.

Legacy expert attorneys Danielle and Andy Mayoras say the circumstances surrounding the late musician's estate serve as the latest reminder that having the proper estate planning instructions in place - and keeping them updated - is extremely important for every client.

The federal regulator said it has identified the first recipient of a ‘whistleblower’ award, intended to help curb fraud in the securities industry. But the recipient and the case involved were not identified.

Even as market uncertainty persists, employees using Bank of America Merrill Lynch's automatic 401(k) savings plans are showing they want to stay the course when it comes to positive savings behavior, according to the firm's latest quarterly data.