Practice

Making the right hires and using a firm-wide team approach to client service has helped Leonetti & Associates, a financial advisory firm in Buffalo Grove, Ill. grow and prosper, according to chief executive officer Michael Leonetti, who founded the firm in 1982.

High net worth investors are returning their money to the market and have put the painful memories of past financial shenanigans in the rearview mirror but they're more fickle than ever when it comes to sticking with their primary financial institution or their individual financial advisor.

A retired American Airlines pilot is set to recoup his retirement savings tied up since 2009 in non-public mortgage funds.

Uncertainty about fluctuating interest rates and rapidly spiraling healthcare costs were cited as the two largest fears of both retirees and pre-retirees, according to a new survey conducted by the Schaumberg, Ill.-based Society of Actuaries.The survey, which polled 804 adults between 45 and 80 years of age, found that only 3% of retirees and 5% of those closing in on retirement have at least $1 million or more in savings and investments while a 18% and 6%, respectively, have less than $25,000 stashed away.

Uncertainty about fluctuating interest rates and rapidly spiraling health care costs were cited as the two largest fears of both retirees and pre-retirees, according to a new survey conducted by the Schaumberg, Ill.-based Society of Actuaries.

“Opinions are continuing to move in a positive direction,” said American Century's Jennifer Sussman. “Social media is being seen as a trend with future potential.”

ING announced Friday it hired Orlando R. Cruz as president of its individual retirement investor channel.

While half of U.S. banks are aware of the opportunity with mass affluent investors and are busy enhancing their online capabilities, the other half believe they distinguish themselves from the Charles Schwabs of the world with in-person advice.

The OCC and Fincen issued a $7 million civil money penalty against Pacific National Bank of Miami for Bank Secrecy Act violations and failing to comply with a previous order.

The U.S. Attorney for southern Florida and the FBI on Thursday charged a one-time entrepreneurial whiz kid who already has spent time behind bars for fraud with manipulating the stock of a public company. Using, among Internet-related communication mechanisms, YouTube.