Practice

The administration is expected to unveil this month a reform package that charts a course for the housing finance system. But it remains unclear how detailed the administration plans to be.

As 401(k) balances rebounded in 2010, the executives running defined contribution plans named retirement readiness one of their top priorities, according to the “10th Annual 401(k) Benchmarking Survey,” conducted by Deloitte and the International Society of Certified Employee Benefit Specialists (ISCEBS).

FINRA effectively backed up claims that Securities America breached its fiduciary duty and violated industry rules.

A FINRA arbitration panel has ordered UBS to cough up $2.8 million to settle a dispute with a former in-house recruiter.

Consumers prefer to be educated rather than be marketed at in online ads about personal finance.

LPL advisor Ben Marks is making a name for himself—and distancing himself from Wall Street—by building his clients portfolios of homegrown stocks.

Only half as many muni advisory firms are registered with the Municipal Securities Rulemaking Board compared to those registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission, even though advisory firms are now required to sign up with both regulators under the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act.

The Securities and Exchange Commission has extended by four months the date by which advisors must deliver information about their personnel to their clients to help them make the necessary operational adjustments.

Employers are clearly more optimistic about the economy, for another 40% that had suspended 401(k) contributions will resume them by mid-2011, doubling the 40% that already have resumed suspended or reduced matches, the Profit Sharing/401(k) Council of America announced.

The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority expelled APS Financial Corp., and barred its former president as well as its former broker from the industry. The move comes in response to an alleged scheme involving an elderly investor and markups on CMOs as well as other types of securities.