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On Wednesday, LPL Investment Holdings Inc., parent of independent U.S. broker-dealer LPL Financial, reported a jump in second-quarter earnings as advisors continued to grow assets despite the challenging stock market and economic environment.

While many asset managers continue to fail to connect meaningfully with registered investment advisors, many are turning to such digital media as micro websites, social media and mobile applications, according to a new report from Financial Research Corp., “Winning Strategies for Marketing and Distributing to the RIA.”

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.

With about 25% of U.S. company results posted for the second quarter, most have exceeded estimates and have improved sales. Industrial production and consumption are also rebounding, leading BlackRock's Bob Doll to project stronger economic growth in the second half of 2011.

The Securities and Exchange Commission voted unanimously Tuesday to require large traders to register and to share more information. The rule, yet another measure in response to the Flash Crash of May 2010, will take effect in 60 days, with traders given an additional two months to begin registering.

The Conference Board Consumer Confidence Index improved slightly in July, rising 1.9 points from the previous month to 59.5 (1985=100). 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.

The State Street Investor Confidence Index for July inched up 2.2 points to 101.1, State Street Global Markets reported Tuesday. However, in North America, the index fell 1.3 points to 99.2.

Financial planners become successful through a fierce commitment to building their practices. But too few principals proactively plan for when -- and how -- they will one move on. To avoid being unprepared when the time comes, here's an interactive slideshow outlining some of the key steps in the succession planning process.

Advisers are more confident than they have been since January, but they are still concerned over the disconnect in the marketplace, according to The Advisor Confidence Index (ACI), a benchmark that gauges advisor views on the U.S. economy and stock market.

The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) has a message for investors considering lesser-understood investments as an alternative to traditional fixed-income and equity investments: caveat emptor.

Orc Group said it released software to support electronic market making in North America.

Vanguard Group is extending its Admiral low-cost shares to six additional domestic equity index funds, effective September. The new fees will range from 10 basis points to 21 basis points.

Nationwide Funds Group has launched the Nationwide Alternatives Allocation Fund, a passively managed mutual fund that will invest in seven alternative asset classes: global real estate, emerging market debt, emerging market stocks, commodities, TIPS, international bonds and high-yield bonds.

In a presidential race dominated by fights over the debt limit and job creation, it is unusual for a candidate to devote much attention to the impact of Dodd-Frank on small banks. But Newt Gingrich has rarely taken the conventional route.