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The Conference Board Consumer Confidence Index improved slightly in July, rising 1.9 points from the previous month to 59.5. As well, the Expectations Index ticked up 3.8 points to 75.4. However, the Present Situation Index decreased by 0.9 points to 35.7.

When elephants dance, the mice get trampled. That is how one lobbyist described the reasons banks have remained largely silent on the debt ceiling negotiations, despite the enormous impact that a default would have on the economy.

Warburg Pincus, one of the oldest and best-known private-equity players, has arrived at a strategy that experts say might offer a blueprint for the next phase of private-equity investing in banks.

Greg Williams, who has served at Raymond James for 17 years, will now serve as senior vice president and managing director of the Private Client Group administration.

Civil rights icon Rosa Parks passed away in Detroit at the age of 92 back in 2005. Almost six years later, her legacy is still tied up in a lengthy court battle. The case features allegations of abuse, cronyism and corruption by the probate judge as well as the two lawyers he appointed to oversee the estate and trust.

While the wealth management industry remained challenged in 2010, the majority of financial advisors are optimistic about 2011, according to a new report from Aite Group.

Anthony DaCruz, formerly at RBC Capital Markets, has joined Morgan Stanley Smith Barney’s West 52nd Street branch as a financial advisor.

As the deadline for raising the U.S. debt ceiling nears, anxious investors are wondering whether they should be worried about a market crash and, if so, how they can protect their portfolios. IndexIQ thinks it has an answer -- one that gives investors downside protection, but also allows them to benefit if things go the other way and Washington strikes a deal by the Aug. 2 deadline.

Bank holding company Regions Financial Corp. reported its third consecutive quarterly profit in its second quarter results on Tuesday as it looks to shed its Morgan Keegan brokerage business.

The Securities and Exchange Commission unanimously voted Tuesday to require large trading firms to identify themselves, so their market activities can be tracked.