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Community banks’ investment programs are not yet back to their pre-financial-crisis levels of success, but the numbers confirm that 2010 was a step in the right direction.

The previous minimum was $3,000 for eleven of the twelve funds in the series.

The new balance represents an increase of almost 12% from a year ago, and a 58% jump from the same period in 2009.

LIMRA this week debuted Ready-2-Retire, an interactive web application that gently navigates pre-retirees through a retirement preparation guide that advises them of various risk factors as they age and provides an opportunity to prioritize their so-called "bucket list."

In the last 18 to 24 months these proudcts have become increasingly available to the mass affluent because of a reduction in costs and an increase in efficiency, said AJ Harper, managing director of Lockwood Advisors, an affiliate of Pershing, in an interview at the Money Management Institute annual conference.

Their plans are evidenced in a survey by Harris Interactive for Aberdeen Asset Management.

These four firms might be able to capture the $350 billion that affluent investors plan to roll over from their workplace retirement savings plan to an IRA.

But investors redeem $1.9 billion from equity funds.

With the ongoing probes as to how the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act could affect the financial marketplace, Riverside Risk Advisors executives are predicting new margin rules in the derivative sector will have significant impact on pension plan investment transactions.

The “magic” 5% tax-free yield is ­sustaining strong demand from retail investors.

Top House Democrats attempted to halt momentum Wednesday for a bill to delay by 18 months the derivatives provisions of the Dodd-Frank Act.

Digital wallet services are being promoted, in part, on the strength of the card brands behind them. But data shows that consumers do not place that much trust in the name on their card.

Only 45% of affluent investors are satisfied with their employer-sponsored retirement plan provider, according to a report from Cogent Research. Forty-three percent say they are somewhat satisfied, and 12% are dissatisfied.

At time when more Americans than ever are petrified they won't have enough set aside for retirement, a new LIMRA survey suggests that peace of mind could be just a phone call away.

This week, Ed dissects beneficiary designations and transfers from a 401(k) Roth.

Putnam Investments is the inaugural recipient of the Innovation and Growth Forum’s Innovation Award for its suite of absolute return funds. The Forum was launched by Financial Advisor Magazine and Spectrem Group to help asset management firms with their post-economic crisis strategies.

The acquisition expands the presence of SunTrust's Private Wealth Management division in Los Angeles and Atlanta; adds offices in Greenwich, Boca Raton and San Francisco; and builds on its practice with wealthy athletes, musicians, motorsports and film practices.

The average 401(k) balance held with Fidelity Investments reached $74,500 at the end of the first quarter, a 12% increase from a year ago and a 58% increase from two years ago. This is the highest account level since Fidelity began tracking account balances in 1998.

How do advisors know that social media really works? How can an advisor measure the direct impact on his or her practice and bottom line?

Morgan Stanley’s Steven W. Stroker will lead Baird’s wealth management offices in the central region.