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The two veteran Cincinnati-based advisors managed $226 million in client assets and generated $2.2 million in fees and commissions for Smith Barney.

The Managed Funds Association has formed an alliance with the Connecticut Hedge Fund Association whereby the MFA hopes to further unify and strengthen the hedge fund industry.

After investing conservatively for the past four years, investors are beginning to put their cash reserves to work in equity investments, according to the Bank of America Merrill Lynch survey of fund managers in January.

Fidelity Investments said it helped a record 191 broker teams go independent last year and one of its executives expects an even stronger 2010.

As earnings season gets into full swing, the market hits a wall of worry … comments from JP Morgan, Gluskin Sheff, T. Rowe Price. Plus: the week’s most important numbers.

The company attracted $9 billion in net new assets in its fiscal first quarter as both retail investors and registered investment advisors increased their investments.

Despite the fact investors are more conservative after getting slammed by the recession, advisers and their clients are optimistic about the year ahead, with advisers looking to grow their business and improve their use of technology.

Recently the bank channel has been gaining traction, but some have avoided it altogether, potentially giving up revenue in favor of retaining top talent.

If the emerging absolute-return exchange-traded funds succeed in delivering outsized returns at low cost, the one-two punch to the traditional mutual fund industry could gain steam, The Wall Street Journal reports.

The time has come for mutual funds and other institutional investors to vote their proxies in favor of individual investors and truly exert their fiduciary duty, John Bogle, founder and former chief executive officer of Vanguard, writes in a Wall Street Journal editorial titled, “Restoring Faith in Financial Markets.”

In an effort to accelerate the development of its activities in emerging countries, notably Central and Eastern Europe, AXA acquired Omniasig Life. Created in 1997, Omniasig Life sells protection products, representing premiums of Euro 12 million in 2008, through a network of 1,400 agents, of which a quarter is proprietary channel.

The American Securitization Forum and the Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association have ended their six-year relationship.

Temporary charter created for Utah-based Barnes

WASHINGTON — While much of the industry's attention is centered on congressional efforts to revamp financial services, a proposal from the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision also could significantly rewrite the rules of banking.

Hedge funds had their best year last year since 1999, according to the Hennessee Group. The Hennessee Hedge Fund Index gained 24.6% in 2009. Equity indices also gained in 2009, with the S&P 500 up 24.7%, the Dow Jones Industrial Average up 18.8%, and the Nasdaq Composite Index gaining 43.9%. In 1999, the Hennessee Hedge Fund Index was up 30.78%.

Pioneer U.S. Sales Team Expands With Seven Hires

A new survey by the Investment Company Institute finds that most Americans are still confident that their 401(k) plans can help them reach their retirement goals, but last year's 31% average drop in account balances has also highlighted the need for improvements to this popular, critical retirement vehicle.

The fundamentals of what advisers need from wholesalers are changing, and wholesalers have no choice but to adapt. Our research at kasina concludes that wholesalers should focus on serving advisers' needs for:

The mutual fund industry should proudly celebrate Americans' 73% approval rating for 401(k)s, according to an Investment Company Institute report, "Enduring Confidence in the 401(k) System."

Morningstar Names Managers of the Decade