Financial planning

VisionPoint Advisory Group is looking to use the giant independent broker-dealer as a base to expand by recruiting more advisors.

Independent RIAs in the increasingly competitive -- and lucrative -- San Francisco Bay Area market may have to raise their game, according to a leading investment banker.

Case studies can be a great way to communicate the reasons a client should work with you -- as long as they want to read all the way to the end.

As the court battle between Michael Jackson’s heirs and entertainment company AEG heads to the jury, the case highlights five legal challenges and complications that the estate executors have had to worry about in the last few months alone.

A partisan stalemate that partially shut down the U.S. government may lessen the appetite of lawmakers for risking a debt default later this month.

Revised rules mean bypass trusts can be used to improve the overall tax situation of multiple descendants.

The move could offer a simple way to cut risk and boost returns, but many advisors don't see it that way. Here's why they should.

The bond market has suffered one of its biggest sell-offs in years. With investors shifting their money into other asset classes, bond prices have been left incredibly undervalued. There are several reasons why now could be the best time to go into the bond market.

All in all, a government shutdown would be a major irritant, but would not have much impact on our clients or commerce in general. The trouble starts if the government defaults on its debt.

Two planners who are suing the CFP Board amended their complaint to seek unspecified damages in addition to earlier claims seeking an admission of fault from the board as well as the quashing of a public sanction for calling their practice fee-only.

Few firms have provided staff members with formalized career paths. This disconnect creates significant untapped potential for firms to better harness their human capital -- by actively engaging their teams for growth and greatness.

If the health insurance exchanges succeed in making coverage more affordable, planners say they expect some clients who are separated to opt for divorce.

Here’s a sampling of bank reps who were recently promoted or moved to new organizations to assume roles of greater responsibility.

Two prominent industry experts offer some spirited discussions on a few of the most contentious M&A issues.

Expect powerful regional RIAs to emerge from the current round of financial advisory deal-making.

Before anyone represents your firm online, they need to understand why a blog is important to your organization, what the goals are that you wish to achieve, and the do’s and don’ts for contributing. Here are the three tips to make sure your bloggers succeed.

A recent study highlights the industry's dire need for new advisors, and aims to help firms understand Gen Y's huge potential. Here are the key takeaways.

Advisors may say they're comfortable developing retirement income strategies -- but none seem to agree on the right way to create an income stream.

Significantly altered results now appear when users search for fee-only advisors.

While the coming fiscal debate looms in the background -- along with probable accompanying market volatility -- there are a number of other possible legislative and regulatory items that also affect the insurance and advisory industry.