Practice

Mercer has launched a new blog for employers that it hopes will be thought-provoking. M/THINK also includes data-rich infographics and commentaries on key business issues facing today’s employers.

For financial planners, it means they might have to work a lot harder to get younger investors to recognize the value of investing in stocks.

Rep. Barney Frank, the influential Massachusetts Democrat who championed legislation that made such a dramatic impact on the financial planning industry, will not seek re-election next year, capping a 32-year career in Congress.

The fund industry has historically done an effective job of responding to regulatory challenges. Last Monday's show of force by the Investment Company Institute and 31 industry leaders was a case in point.

THE INABILITY TO INNOVATE AND THE DIRECT impact of that on their firm's profitability are fund executives' biggest regulatory concerns.

Marketing professionals are quick to suggest that the best way to find success as a financial advisor is niche marketing. Marketing expert Marie Swift delves into exactly what niche marketing is and why advisors should care.

Business is running smoothly now, but Financial Planning senior editor Donna Mitchell says ARGI Financial had to overcome some operational hurdles — ultimately changing custodians and back-office systems — to get to this point.

With new cost-basis reporting requirements in effect for the 2011 tax year, Charles Schwab is warning investment advisors to brace for a hectic tax season and prepare for a flood of questions from clients who for the first time will receive a revised 1099-B form packed with new transaction information.

iPhone 4S sales are off the charts, even with its battery issues. iPad sales are similar. Android now is the most popular operating system for mobile phones. So why aren’t more financial services firms encouraging employees to bring their own devices to work?

The Financial Services Authority has for the first time ever barred a compliance officer from working in the financial services industry.