Economy

RBC Wealth Management is adding new names to its top executive team, announcing a new head of International Wealth-USA.

Securities America and Triad, both divisions of Ladenburg Thalmann, slapped for "failing to supervise the use of consolidated reporting systems resulting in statements with inaccurate valuations being sent to customers."

Raymond James has done it again. The firm has stolen away a Merrill Lynch advisor-team with $200 million in assets under management, marking its sixth major recruitment win in the past two weeks.

Family office execs report a rise in direct investments and so-called club deals as hedge funds fall out of favor. ''Families want to be in control," says one consultant.

Compliance experts are recommending that firms take a flexible, risk-based approach as they respond to the SEC's red flag rules, a new set of regulations for protecting clients against identity theft.

Advisors will be expected to keep records about the content they post on social sites just as they do with other materials on traditional channels, according to a senior commission attorney.

The once fast-growing firm leaves LPL after a year and a half, hoping NFP's deep pockets will help it attract other advisors.

Raymond James appointed a new COO for its Private Client Group as well as a replacement North Atlantic regional director.

The new relationship will allow the Huntsville, Ala.-based credit union to expand its current investment services program.

The firm grabbed a team with $2.5 million in production for its independent broker-dealer channel.

Advisors and clients are gravitating toward the RIA model -- a trend that experts expect to continue.

RCS Capital is following through on its promise to launch a research division with the hiring of two non-traded investments analysts.

The commission is committed to moving forward on a uniform fiduciary standard for advisors and broker-dealers and also expects to finalize money market reforms by the end of the year.

Wealthy clients who frequently request services beyond traditional financial planning can create a challenging balancing act for advisors who serve this highly sought-after client base.

LPL Financial says the pace of new advisors affiliating with the firm has slowed from the levels of late 2013 "in part due to disruptive weather."

Raymond James is on a recruiting spree, poaching million-dollar teams from Merrill Lynch and Wells Fargo, and now grabbing a UBS team with $1.9 million in production for the company's Charlotte, N.C., office.

The advisor groups advocating for SEC vs. FINRA oversight of the RIA sector are turning their lobbying efforts away from the House.

Your wealthy client wants to sell his or her business. What can you do to help plan properly for this major liquidity event?

The focus on dual registrants grows out of concern that the different compensation structures of the two business lines can create conflicts of interest and potentially harm investors, according to an SEC director.

Raymond James enticed away an advisor with $2.2 million in production as well as several associates from Merrill Lynch for its Cincinnati office.