Practice

The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority assessed financial firms and individuals $68 million in fines in 2012 and ordered them to pay a record $34 million in restitution to investors, the regulator announced Tuesday.

The U.S. Supreme Court signaled it may tighten the time limits that apply when the Securities and Exchange Commission and other government agencies seek to impose fines on people and companies accused of fraud.

Newly appointed Securities and Exchange Commission Chairman Elisse Walter this week unveiled the agency’s General Counsel in the form of Geoffre Aronow, who will begin his new role later this month.

Most advisors say referrals are the key to growth. So why do so many fail to dedicate the time and resources necessary to generate them?

Think about how much you appreciate a handwritten thank-you note. Now turn that courtesy into a regular business practice.

Another Russell Investments executive has joined BMO Financial Group.

We got lucky in 2012. The financial markets held up. The economy, while slow, didn’t tank. Inflation remained benign. And the world held together. Blogger Steve Sanduski asks, will we say the same about 2013 a year from now?

How important is naming, branding, promoting and marketing? For some independent advisors who came to independence from larger employee advisor models, you may not have thought as much about your brand in the past. As an independent firm in a growing and increasingly competitive landscape, it’s important to recognize that you are building a brand as much as a business.

A former Morgan Stanley complex manager who felt he was forced to resign is set to receive $1 million in compensatory damages from the firm, according to a new ruling from an arbitration panel.

The agency has asked firms to comment on a proposed rule and some potentially divisive modifications.