Practice management

Playing a role in preparing heirs is a key way for advisors to distinguish their businesses, be more visible among centers of influence, get client referrals and maintain heirs as clients.

BofA will spend up to $20 million over the next three months on its “help2retire” campaign.

Putnam Investments has launched a content-rich Roth IRA Conversion Resource Center, Putnam.com/roth2010, aimed a financial advisers.

The agreement with the Motley Fool has a clear financial advantage for the Garrett Network, which spends just $10,000 a year marketing its advice to financial advisors who might join the group.

Given the opportunity to approach their retirement savings again, 51% of affluent Americans who have retired said they would have preferred to have focused on life goals rather than a retirement number, Merrill Lynch found in a survey. However, the remaining 49% still believe in zeroing in on the numbers.

RBC Wealth Management has hired John Menefee and Tom Meagher from Morgan Stanley Smith Barney to join its Bend, Oregon branch.

The two veteran Cincinnati-based advisors managed $226 million in client assets and generated $2.2 million in fees and commissions for Smith Barney.

Despite the fact investors are more conservative after getting slammed by the recession, advisors and their clients are optimistic about the year ahead, with advisors looking to grow their business and improve their use of technology.

Axa Distributors, the annuity wholesale distribution unit of Axa Equitable, has created a comprehensive retirement income planning curriculum for financial professionals it is calling “Cracking the Code.”

By taking more of a hands off approach with its Merrill Lynch financial advisors, Bank of America Corp. saw “historically” low broker attrition in the fourth quarter and plans to add advisors this year, said Sallie Krawcheck, the president of Bank of America Global Wealth.

The recession has sent even the wealthiest Americans running for cover, as affluent investors worry about their financial security.

The financial services company may also be increasing its upfront awards in an effort to attract and retain top talent.

Two million-dollar plus teams from UBS have made the leap.

It gives junior advisors funding to buy out practices from senior advisors.

linkedFA's launch comes amid a debate over how advisors can use social networking to expand their businesses, while still following compliance rules under the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934.

The Atlanta company has offered private banking services for musicians and motor sports athletes for years. Thomas Carroll (left) said SunTrust's new office in San Diego is only the beginning of its national expansion strategy.

The insurance giant's new ad campaign tries to capitalize on investors' flight to safety.

This is the latest in a growing list of Roth IRA conversion education tools offered by financial services companies.

The average 2010 fund clawed its way back in 2009, with a 20% return, easing investor worry about these retirement funds and moving the push for regulation to the back burner.

December saw the biggest number of wirehouse advisors changing firms since August.