Practice management

Although women controlled approximately 27%, or $20.2 trillion, of the world’s wealth in 2009, over half of women feel wealth managers could be better meeting their financial needs, according to a Boston Consulting Group global study released on Thursday.

Fidelity sees increase in “breakaway” teams going independent; others maintain that wirehouse channel is the place to be.

Investors increasingly opt in to automatic investment accounts like target-date funds.

After nearly a month of delays, the Senate was expected to pass a bill late Wednesday that would create a $30 billion small-business lending fund.

Too few women have a detailed financial plan in place, according to a Prudential Financial study, something that can impact their financial security in the long run.

Advisors gather at Boston University to trade ideas on how to build a better practice.

Despite efforts by most financial services companies to get investors to use more online tools for financial planning, most affluent individuals still prefer to work one-on-one with a trusted advisor.

The Securities and Exchange Commission has begun to seek comment on the fiduciary standard of care that broker-dealers and investment advisers are to provide customers in giving advice about investing in securities.

If the administration was looking to the more than 300 public comments for guidance in crafting a future for Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, it better have a Plan B.

Younger investors heed financial advisors and information gleaned online

International banking regulators said Monday they reached broad agreement on the overarching principles that will shape capital requirements and liquidity rules for banks in the coming years.

Genworth Financial Wealth Management hired Matthew Matrisian as its new vice president and director of practice management to help build out succession planning tools, resources and services that can be delivered both online and at offline events.

Following the massive Ponzi scheme perpetrated by Bernard Madoff, almost 70% of respondents to an SEI poll say their clients want enhanced financial reporting capabilities from their wealth managers.

Many advisors base their product choices on the quality of information asset managers provide online.

U.S Trust hired nine senior wealth management experts to their California, Arizona and Washington operations as part of their wealth management expansion efforts.

When the European Markets in Financial Services Directive was adopted three years ago, fund managers appeared content. After all, more competition in markets would mean their broker-dealers would get a "better deal" for their firms and their clients.

The Treasury Department unexpectedly announced it would not pick Julie Williams, the No. 2 at the OCC, to serve as acting head of the agency when John Dugan leaves next month.

The SEC follows up its proposal to whittle down 12b-1 fees with a plan to remake the Form ADV, Part 2. Emphasis on Plain English is back.

For as much press as the recent financial reform bill has received, the majority of financial advisors apparently are unaware of its importance.

Trades were made in UITs, closed-end and mutual funds by two Maryland brokers on behalf of 10 customers, FINRA charges.