Consolidation is everywhere so it pays to keep your eyes and ears open for opportunities.

On May 30, 2012, J.P. Morgan Asset Management has introduced a new tool for retirement plan advisors to facilitate 401(k) plan design conversations and enhance plan sponsor decisions.

Hartford Financial Services Group Inc. last September put the brakes on its effort to sell its mutual-fund unit to private equity shop Clayton Dubilier & Rice LLC after banks cut back on lending for leveraged buyouts.

Edward Jones survey finds that only 37% of Americans were able to correctly identify 529 plans as a college savings tool.

Jeffrey C. Boucek has joined Segal Rogerscasey’s Atlanta office as senior vice president, focusing on consulting, client relationship management and new business development.

Charles Schwab's Retirement Plan Services unit in January made waves by going passive.

Regulators in nations around the world, including fast-developing markets, don’t know quite what to make of the asset management business, fund executives said.

On May 4. 3012, The findings of a BlackRock survey show that just over half, 51%, of retirees – but only one quarter, 25%, of today’s workers - are confident about having enough money to live comfortably in retirement.

May 7, 2012 story: Principal Funds has added three new regional directors to the firm's investment only team: Marcel Dawson, Gary Nakamura and Pamela Suing, focusing on growth within the registered investment advisor distribution channel.

Standing out is tough when the crowd is so large-so here are some ways to make yourself unique, build your "brand" and outpace the competition

On April 30, 2012, Prudential Annuity has unveiled two new asset allocation portfolios and two new sub-advisors.

On April 26, 2012, Prudential Retirement has four new plan sponsor clients: Clampitt Paper; the luxury travel agency Virtuoso; Fisher Auto Parts, and Trimac Transportation.

On April 25, 2012, TAMRO Capital launched the TAMRO Small Cap Collective Fund, which is sponsored by Global Trust Company and available to ERISA-only clients

Buyers and sellers still cannot agree on price, the heads of six acquisition-minded banks said in first-quarter earnings calls.

On April 19, 2012, the financial research and consulting organization LIMRA has hired Alison Salka to serve as corporate vice president and director of its retirement research division.

On April 13, 2012, MassMutual's Retirement Services Division has added three new sales directors to its sales and client management organization: Dararith Ly; John Randall and Raymond Zittlow.

On APril 12, 2012 Two industry groups, the Defined Contribution Institutional Investment Association (“DCIIA”) and the Retirement Income Industry Association (“RIIA”), are launching a joint effort to promote greater awareness and participation in retirement programs.

The usage of defined contribution plans and collective investment trusts is growing quickly, resulting in a big impact on the ways that pension holders invest for the future, according to research released by SEI.

Bank of Montreal Global Asset Management has moved its defined contribution business away from its Institutional Trust services arm and given it a new brand name, BMO Retirement Services.

A federal judge has declared that Fidelity Investments and the American unit of ABB, Inc. violated federal laws by making pension holders pay excessive 401(k) plan fees, and has ordered the defendants to pay $36.9 million in damages.