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Although the unemployment rate in the U.S. is 9%, three-quarters of broker-dealers and registered investment advisors plan to hire in the next 12 months, and they plan to boost their staff by an average of 30%, Fidelity Investments found in a survey.

College graduates who applied sound planning with following their passions had a much more satisfying college experience—and less debt—than those who did not, according to a study from Fidelity Investments.

IndexIQ has launched the IQ Hong Kong Small Cap ETF, which it says it the first exchange-traded fund to focus on the sector. It will track the IQ Hong Kong Small Cap Index.

Still, a majority of class of 2011 respondents, 66%, who are graduating with debt say the value of college is equal to or worth more than the debt accumulated.

In the May issue of Financial Planning magazine, I discussed how client perceptions may have changed over the past three years. I use the term Client 2.0 to describe this more-cautious and aware buyer, and offered thoughts on how you can better connect using an evolved Client Communications 2.0 plan. I spoke with several smart, accomplished advisors and industry consultants such as Ed Jacobson, Steve Saenz, Carol Anderson and Amy Mullen to hear their comments.…

Credit unions and small banks can offer the same high level of investment products and services as other institutions, with the right type of program in place. Helping them do that is Valorie Seyfert, who notes that recent concerns about the credibility of larger institutions “has opened up the opportunity for banks and credit unions – because they do have a loyal following – to step in and fill a gap.”

While Congress, the SEC and individual states continue to work out the precise definition of a fiduciary and precisely what his or her requirements will be going forward, RIAs and other financial services professionals still need to take it upon themselves to implement best practices that will ensure they'll be in compliance whenever these new regulations are finalized.

Barclays Wealth announced on Wednesday that it hired five new Investment Representatives in its Philadelphia, Chicago and Atlanta offices.

Investors are betting that company earnings in China will grow much faster than in the U.S. and Europe.

TD Ameritrade Institutional is looking to correct the gender imbalance in the financial services industry by expanding resources and opportunities and, more generally, making the industry more attractive to women.