Financial planning

S&P Equity Research, a division of the New York-based credit rating agency, identified 29 funds that achieved the highest overall five-star quantitative ranking in each of their respective categories, and gave them gold, silver and bronze placements.

For four days, advisors descended on Boston for insights on practice management, regulatory changes to help improve their business.

The ETF business is exploding with more providers entering the space and more interest from advisors and investors than ever before. Many advisors are becoming more sophisticated in their use of ETFs. However with rapid development comes confusion. The ETF 360 Summit on Oct. 21 in New York City helped advisors sort through the clutter and confusion, teaching them to identify the buying opportunities to get the best results for their clients.

For four days in October, financial planners and advisors descended on Denver for the annual FPA Conference, which delivered information, tips and advice to help practitioners build a better business.

As part of the magazine's 40th Anniversary celebration, the publication honored six practitioners that have made significant contributions to the financial planning industry.

Frances A. McMorris, On Wall Street’s editor-in-chief, continues her new blog with a closer look at the comments streaming in to the SEC regarding a new fiduciary standard

For three days in late June, advisors, industry executives and fund managers descended on Chicago for the 2010 Morningstar Investment Conference. The audience received insight on the flash crash, international investing and the impact of the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. Industry bigwigs, including Vanguard's William McNabb, were among the speakers. (See part 1 here.)

Bank Investment Consultant Magazine's Top 20 Program Managers Awards honored program managers who bring out the best in their advisors. At a dinner sponsored by New York Life/Mainstay Investments in New York last week, the awards program celebrated managers whose advisors perform well above industry benchmarks.

For three days in late June, advisors, industry executives and fund managers descended on Chicago for the 2010 Morningstar Investment Conference. The audience received insight on the flash crash, international investing and the impact of the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. Industry bigwigs, including Vanguard's William McNabb, were among the speakers. (See part 2 here.)

SourceMedia's Women Advisors Forum descended on Chicago on June 16. The event offered an opportunity to network with the most successful and influential women financial advisors in the nation, while gaining insight into their career experience and rise to the top.

From June 1 to June 5, advisors affiliated with Royal Alliance came together for NEC 2010 in Orlando, FL. During this educational conference, advisors heard Royal Alliance executives and industry experts speak on a variety of topics from retirement and estate planning to practice management and technology. Attendees also took advantage of valuable networking opportunities with their peers.Below are photo highlights from the event.

More than 200 top financial advisors, planners and RIAs attended the recent Women Advisor Forum in New York City, where attendees learned about some of the best ways to build a book of business and tips on how to gain referrals of high net worth clientele. Sessions included career advice and a powerhouse panel of top investment directors, EVPs, and CEOs speaking about how they overcame career obstacles. (Our next Women Advisor Forum takes place on June 16 in Chicago. Click here to register or find out details about the event.)Below are photo highlights from the New York event.

From May 11 to May 14, advisors affiliated with SagePoint Financial gathered for the 2010 National Education Conference in Orlando, FL. During the conference, advisors heard the latest news from SagePoint executives and listened to industry experts share their views on topics from Social Security to real estate during the many educational sessions offered. The conference also provided an excellent opportunity to learn from, and network with, other advisors.Below are photo highlights from the event.

What does an advisor need to do to get a sales assistant and who pays for that person? Experts at our Retirement Roundtable explore these and other questions in the final installment of a six part podcast.

Acknowledging that regulatory guidance to limit banks' concentration in commercial real estate has failed, Comptroller of the Currency John Dugan said Friday that the banking agencies will issue new, tougher standards.

On Wall Street, Top 40 Advisors Under 40

Bank Investment Consultant Top 50 Bank Reps 2009