Practice

Think target-date funds are the default choice du jour for define contribution plan sponsors? Think again.

Kevin Keller, the CEO of the CFP Board, discusses what it will take to attract advisors to become CFPs and dispels some of the biggest myths and misconceptions about the credentials.

The system now provides financial advisors with access to tax tools, account details and trading information.

Ask a room full of financial advisors if they have thought about business planning, and most will say yes. Ask that same group of advisors if they have actually taken the time to create a written business plan and more importantly, follow it, and the majority of that room will most likely say no.

A new finding by Invesco is sure to make a few exchange-trade fund providers smile.

Most believe without action to address tax cuts and spending cuts that are set to roll out at the end of the year, economic conditions will worsen.

Independent business owners associated with broker-dealers have a real chance today to capitalize on the frustrations that wirehouse advisors are experiencing with regard to increasing compliance burdens, lack of support and compensation limitations. Mindy Diamond says that a big problem, however, is that most of the firms these principals represent are not positioned properly to benefit from this unique opportunity.

Kevin Keller, the CEO of the CFP Board of Standards, says that the fiduciary standard will remain a hot button issue in 2013. In the second part of a four-part interview, he also discusses dealing with criticism after the organization raised fees last year.

It’s a conflicted time for American investors who are both worried about their preparedness for retirement but also terrifically gun shy about taking on new risk to help pay for it, according to a new study of 702 U.S. residents who range in age from 18 to 67.

With an eye toward the future and likely also toward steering the Facebook generation toward its own website, Fidelity Investments launched a new app for Facebook, called FutureTimeline, which allows users to set long-term financial goals and track their savings toward shorter-term goals, like vacations or buying a new car.