Financial planning

Clients often walk in the door with an idea about how they’d like to leave their assets. It’s an advisor’s job to help them understand issues they may not have considered.

The industry veteran, who comes from Merrill Lynch, will be president of the firm's registered broker-dealer, ING Financial Partners.

Clients’ desire for principal protection plus profit potential has benchmark-based products booming.

A great website isn’t so great if no one uses it. On the other hand, if your site is easy to use, it can be your most powerful marketing tool – generating leads, prospects and new clients.

Financial advisors who specialize manage nearly double the client assets of their peers, according to a study of 7,000 advisors conducted by research firm Cerulli Associates.

The start of the 2014 tax filing season could be postponed by as much as two weeks due to delays caused by the recent closure of the federal government.

As retail funds for alternative investments become more widespread, planners must explain their purpose in a portfolio.

Saying the new cash will be used to fund growth, CEO Joe Duran targets $200 million to $250 million in annual revenue.

In seven years, Focus Financial has grown to $65 billion in AUM from $3 billion. CEO Rudy Adolf shares the company’s growth strategy.

MLPs offer high yields plus tax advantages, but advisors need to drill down to deliver those tax breaks without the headaches.

The CFP Board “cannot justifiably act as both a regulator for continuing education providers and as a CE provider themselves,” FPA president Michael Branham said to a burst of applause Sunday at the general session of the association’s annual conference.

Financial planning “is still a relatively young profession with a lot of growing pains,” according to the incoming president of the FPA.

Muni bonds have substantial risk but here’s how you may be able to get a greater return and U.S. government guarantee.

A bond ladder can mitigate interest rate risk, but individual bonds require in-depth research. The diversification of a fund tempers credit risk, but be wary of extended duration.

One of the most common questions people ask is: How do I differentiate myself? Here are twelve steps to help you stand out from the competition.

But beware, moves made in a portfolio should always take into consideration the client’s risk tolerance and long-term goals.

Large firms are targeting smaller “lifestyle” advisors who want to remain independent but need resources, guidance and business support from the “substantial ecosystem of solutions” that are now available.

An institute executive told Congress it should consolidate and simplify the types of tax-favored retirement plans now available to small business owners to minimize the cost and administrative burden imposed by the plans.

The firm has added a Florida-based team with over $1 billion in client assets to its independent channel.