Financial planning

  • Going into November with elections right around the corner, millionaire households listed what was worrying them most in planning for their financial futures.

    November 2
    p17b149srh11hf8v2pb1blpc1ma.jpg
  • A catalog of some of the nation's top planning schools is a resource for both planners-to-be and today's advisors

    November 1
  • Drawing from the lessons of Robert Cialdini’s book, Influence: The Psychology of Persuasion, Todd Colbeck adds his own tips on how bank advisors can apply those lessons to form strong relationships with trust officers.

    October 30
    p17aprt5v112366vp6vg17nr6k3c.jpg
  • A 4-step back-up plan was key after being forced from her office and her home.

    October 30
    p17apd6s9517be1mt26o17352ulh.jpg
  • Financial advisors on the East Coast have solid reasons to be worried about Hurricane Sandy – and even those far from the wreckage should be concerned, too. Advisors’ and clients’ safety rank first, but advisors also have to be concerned about their offices and property, as well as those of their clients’ and their clients’ relatives. As vital as proper insurance coverage is, it often will not cover all losses, nor losses from the disruption of business. How prepared are you and your firm to deal with a major disaster, like Sandy? Far too many advisors have no disaster recovery plan to rely on for times like this. Here are 5 questions to consider regarding you, your firm and your clients after the worst of the hurricane strikes.

    October 29
    p17amibgm9o4prep1f7512ka4o3l.jpg
  • With October 15 behind us and April 15 still comfortably far away, it’s a good time to start boning up on ways to save your clients money once things start getting serious.

    October 26
    p17aemk5ff145q52bld017741upe6.jpg
  • Marketing is not a one-shot thing. It is about finding a need and filling it over and over again to generate predictable results. Choose one of these action items and grow your business today.

    October 25
    p17ac9mno71n6u1njf8sj6eufr6.jpg
  • Advisors all desire employees who know what you want even before you speak. While these type of people are typically a needle in a haystack, there are ways to optimize the staff you have already.

    October 23
    p17a77ojgr1snf11881v7o1s4n1ufr6.jpg
  • Raymond James' annual Women's Symposium in St. Pete, Beach, Fla., in October, offered an opportunity for Raymond James' advisors to hear from the firm's top executives. Select female Raymond James advisors were also recognized with Women of Distinction awards, for their work in their communities and as advisors, and Top Advisor awards, based on their production levels. Here's a look at those winners and other conference highlights.

    October 19
    p179t95svg1ve6judc8h13h185k6.JPG
  • The worst one-day crash in stock trading took place 25 years ago on October 19. Here's a look back at Black Monday, on its quarter-century anniversary.

    October 19
    p179sq7pmcqfgoic13tt1ri23nec.png
  • As you navigate your way around the future of mobile technology, there are signposts that you must be aware of so as not to make a wrong turn and end up in a perilous situation. Here are four things advisors should watch out for to make the most out of mobile technology.

    October 17
    p179obkre8hcca67d8f1na311v6.jpg
  • Not returning calls from a spouse or significant other may land you in the dog house, and the same goes for your million dollar clients. Waiting too long for a callback from an advisor was the number one reason, even more crucial than giving the right advice, that clients went looking for someone Check out the top five, according to research on millionaire clients from Spectrem Group and its subsidiary, Millionaire Corner.

    October 17
    p179o7q577gusam91thsf5c7tj9.jpg
  • For bank advisors looking to advance their careers, there’s no better news than a promotion or a new job offer. Here’s a sampling of bank reps who were recently promoted or moved to new organizations to assume roles of greater responsibility.

    October 17
    p179nhl7505lq124v66v1quo18lg6.jpg
  • Nearly five years after relocating to Washington, the CFP Board has increased staff and certificants as the organization has actively engaged in the policy debates that will shape the regulatory landscape that impacts the regulatory industry. Check out a photo essay that looks under the hood of this vibrant organization.

    October 16
    p179kriei6mbl1cfdob5tg7c2f7.jpg
  • As 75 million Baby Boomers stand at the edge of retirement, most will have to look beyond government programs to sustain their standard of living. Here are six things advisors and their clients should be aware of when setting aside income-generating retirement plans.

    October 15
    p179is4rp210vkilrv2geo312de6.jpg
  • While advisors might not snag designer Cynthia Rowley for their next client event, LearnVest Live showcased some important elements of a fun, successful client event. Check out photos from the event and read the blog to see what lessons advisors can take away.

    October 15
    p179ioc5jotg9sv3c1a1k5fkuhc.jpg
  • A report by the National Center for Policy Analysis, a conservative think thank, investigated how much Baby Boomers are spending on things like education and clothing and how that’s changed over the past 20 years.

    October 11
    p17994d47c12d02id89c196t16c96.png
  • If Congress allows Bush-era tax cuts to expire next year, as many expect, planners everywhere must be aware of the “fiscal cliff” their clients will confront.

    October 11
    p179858uvc1bud55ho3s12ndi596.jpg
  • Although most of your clients are focusing more on retirement planning and taking the necessary steps to prepare, there are some danger signs advisors and clients must be ready for.

    October 10
    p1795ikmh72gi5br132q9o6skla.jpg
  • Before embarking on first or next dance with the regulators, Jennifer Woods Burke, President of CompliGuide provides her thoughts on the top 7 ways that firms sabotage themselves.

    October 3
    p178kgo468sv211lfp231lg51gk6.jpg