Portfolio

Some planners offer all of their clients concierge services, while others help only top clients with special projects. No matter the details, concierge services help advisors strengthen existing client relationships and attract new ones.

The holidays have been good for money market funds.

Five years ago, only about 15% of new clients came in over the transom, says the chief executive of one leading RIA. Today, that number has grown to 25% to 35% -- with many of those prospects specifically looking for independent advice.

Municipal bond mutual funds recorded their fifth straight week of inflows, and their 62nd week of positive flows in the past 66 weeks.

In an industry where everyone seems to have an opinion, these financial services veterans have learned to leverage Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and other social media to their advantage.

Vanguard Group may already be the largest mutual fund provider in the nation, but that doesn't mean it plans to stop growing.

The Board of Trustees of BNY Mellon Funds Trust is looking to add another sub-advisor to the 3-star rated, $1.2 billion BNY Mellon Mid Cap Multi-Strategy Fund.

The SSgA Tuckerman Active REIT Fund is starting the New Year with a new sub-advisor.

In a remarkably short period, the playing field for the lowest-cost ETFs has changed dramatically.

With high levels of volatility in the markets and a financial environment that remains risk-adverse, lower returns on traditional financial investments are driving more high-net-worth clients toward niche alternatives. Independent television documentary director Elena Mannes highlights some of these exotic assets – including trees and violins – and the underlying risk their attractive returns hold.