Demographics

Since the start of the year, Regions has hired 102 financial consultants and is aiming for 125 by year-end. It is looking to build an advisor force of 160 to 170 by the end of 2014.

The banks saw increases in year-over-year comparisons on every gauge measured by an industry survey—average bank production increased 9% for the first quarter.

Nearly 70% of Millennials have no retirement plan, according to a new survey.

Investors yanked $28.54 billion from long-term mutual funds were $28.54 billion for the week ended Wednesday, June 26, according to the Investment Company Institute.

Tax-exempt money market funds had outflows of $314.7 million in the week ended June 24, decreasing total net assets to $261.48 billion, according to The Money Fund Report, a service of iMoneyNet.com.

Financial markets are too complicated to navigate without an advisor, say the vast majority of affluent investors.

Summer is an opportunity to soak up the sun, spend time with friends and family, and enjoy the little things in life. But that doesn’t mean you can’t get ahead. Check out 20 books that could give you an edge on the competition.

In order for advisors to stand their ground to direct providers like Fidelity, Schwab and ETrade, they must not lose sight of younger and low to middle market investors, says Bing Waldert, director at Cerulli Associates.

The new offerings bring the total number of Merrill Edge Select Portfolios to 12—the original 10 are primarily focused on total return.

The bank extended portfolio management and asset allocation services to clients with $50,000 in investable assets. The services were previously only available to trust clients.

Total money market mutual fund assets increased by $19.53 billion to $2.601 trillion for the week ended Wednesday, May 22, according to the Investment Company Institute.

Neuberger Berman has filed with the SEC to offer an Emerging Markets Income Fund.

Years after the peak of the financial crisis, mass affluent investors remain pessimistic about their finances.

Wealth management, broadly speaking, is seeing impressive growth. But “broadly speaking” is a frustratingly vague term and most of your clients are not among the economic winners of late.

Those who do use advisors are scrutinizing the guidance they get and realizing that true value is more than just investment returns.

Survey respondents estimate they will need on average about $66,000 in annual income, significantly less than their current average income of $115,000.

More than a third (35%) plan to spend all or part of the refund, while only 16% will save it. Nearly a quarter (22%) will use the refund to pay down debt and 4% will invest their returns.

Why banks focus more and more on affluent clients — and why they may miss mom and pop investors more than they think.

Men and women 35 – 64 with income of $150,000 - $249,000 may represent the ripest sales opportunities for advisors, according to poll by Nationwide Financial.

The new program streamlines reporting for clients and provides them with more concrete action plans to help them achieve their financial goals.