Practice

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.

For large U.S. companies and their employees, health care premiums continue to rise, albeit slowly. Meanwhile, most employers are reevaluating their retiree health insurance strategies, planning more emphasis on the individual rather than the group market.

Most financial advisors don't spend enough time on the two most critical tasks to help them grow their business: rainmaking and client interaction.

Touchstone Investments has hired BNY Mellon as its accounting and administration, transfer agency and blue sky service provider for four additional Touchstone funds.