Financial planning

An advisory group in Winter Park, Fla. with $550 million in client assets leaves Morgan Stanley to go independent.

Financial services firms' 2014 plans center on product lines, distribution capabilities and technology, according to a survey done by Cerulli Associates.

The move is part of a shift of emphasis from life insurance "to a more well-rounded protection and retirement planning approach."

Granite Financial says it hopes moving to the IBD will power growth.

Municipal bonds remain attractive even after their divergence from Treasuries this past week, industry watchers say, suggesting the recent signs of strength in the market may carry into the new year.

Rising Treasury yields and the biggest equity market rally in 16 years are leading one measure of stock valuations to the most bearish level since 2011.

A new PriceMetrix study outlines critical factors for keeping clients connected.

Want to be a divorce financial planner? Here are the top tips to help you be successful.

If you asked your clients to describe you and your practice in two sentences, would you like what they have to say? Would they even be able to describe you or your practice in two sentences?

These fast-growing firms are pushing boundaries and setting a new pace. See who topped the charts on Financial Planning's third annual list of RIA leaders.

The SEC is putting advisors on notice that its examiners will cast a wide net in their reviews of investment advisors over the coming year.

The CFP Board announced this week that it's shortening its CFP certification exam and transitioning to a computer-based testing platform.

Municipal bond mutual funds recorded their lightest outflows since May 22—when they last registered inflows. But money still flowed from funds for a 33rd straight week, Lipper FMI numbers showed.

Contrary to popular belief, there are some tech stocks that offer dividends for a client portfolio. Here are a few ways to find them.

The well-financed venture promised big hiring in 2013, but a November ADV form shows them well short of goal.

An overwhelming majority of Hispanic and African-Americans say that financial services firms need to hire more diverse staffs, according to a survey conducted by Harris Interactive on behalf of Edward Jones.

As the stock market has soared, firms face new competition for both talent and clients.

The IRS audited 0.96% of individual tax returns in fiscal 2013, declining for the second straight year and reaching the lowest rate since 2005.

The IRS has concluded that $720 million of student-loan bonds issued by a New Hampshire authority are taxable, leading the issuer to move toward requesting an administrative appeal and asking the IRS to reopen its audits of the bonds.

Meet the most productive young advisors in America. The top ten advisors talk about how they got started, how they grow their business and what makes them stand out.