Financial Planning's Top 10 Stories of 2010
December 23, 2010 12:00 AM
#1. Whos Wealthy Now?
#1. Whos Wealthy Now?
Wealthy families are feeling the pinch from the financial downturn, too, even if they are positioned better than most to ride out the storm. The September cover story explained what has their wealth managers concerned, and how they are tackling those issues.
Read the complete story here.
#2. Healthcare on the Critical List
#2. Healthcare on the Critical List
Healthcare reform legislation put a lot of clients and advisors on edge, almost as much as the direct costs of medical services. Financial planner Rick Kahler put together an informative feature on what advisors could expect and how to prepare.
Read the complete story here.
#3. Whats Happening to Regulation?
#3. Whats Happening to Regulation?
As lawmakers crafted the landmark Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform Act, a panel of industry experts convened to discuss what to expect. Concerns about the Madoff effect, and the compliance implications of social media loomed over discussions.
Read the complete story here.
#4. Royals Big Deal
#4. Royals Big Deal
When Royal Alliance bought Rehmann Financial, it served notice to the financial planning industry: the AIG name is back and a force to be reckoned with.
Read the complete story here.
#5. Retirement NOW
#5. Retirement NOW
Baby boomers are facing a double threat as the leading edge of that generation enters retirement. Their accumulated dollars have taken a hit from the market, and they have bigger expenses coming off of their peak earning years.
Read the complete story here.
#6. Under Pressure
#6. Under Pressure
Small independent broker dealers AFA Financial and GunnAllen both closed doors after failing to meet funding requirements for error & omission and net capital, respectively. The events illustrated the follies of flying too high, too fast.
Read the complete story here.
#7. Waiting for "Intelligent Integration"
#7. Waiting for "Intelligent Integration"
In our August issue, Schwab Advisor Services, a division of Charles Schwab, discussed Project C its new work platform for independent advisors. Getting a financial-services giant to talk new ventures is one thing, but including polite skepticism from competitors gave advisors real insight they could use.
Read the complete story here.
#8. The iPads Cool Factor
#8. The iPads Cool Factor
Who says Macs dont stack up for business computing? Advisors have taken a liking to the computing tablet, so custodians and broker-dealers are figuring out ways to accommodate them.
Read the complete story here.
#9. Whats Next For Diversity
#9. Whats Next For Diversity
Financial planners often hear how the industry is aging. In October, we offered a different look at the future of the business, wherein the client base is more culturally and ethnically diverse, and the ranks of independent advisors are changing to reflect it.
Read the complete story here.
#10. Smaller Fortunes
#10. Smaller Fortunes
Just how large is the wealth market, and how much business can financial planners hope to rope in over the coming years? In November, we presented insights into current debates surrounding wealth transfer estimates, and how advisors can gear up to serve smaller fortunes.
Read the complete story here.
