Practice management

Children still like paper statements, but Mom and Dad's reliance on plastic has meant less loose change ending up in the piggy bank. Mobile banking is hot, but peer-to-peer payments are off to a bit of a slow start.

Even if you still want to enjoy stepping back, consider what your practice needs to keep performing at an optimal level.

Advisors choosing independence do well as a pack.

Clients need to embrace new ways of learning in retirement because the deeply ingrained ways from earlier in life are less effective in later years; Plus, 4 ways clients are sabotaging their retirement in their 30s.

Gregory Fleming, president of Morgan Stanley Wealth Management, says advice and advisor training will always have a role in the advice sector, which also must address its diversity problem.

With a combination of the proper technology and the best practices for sharing relevant content, advisors can easily build their business network.

Some RIAs cut fees in their efforts to turn prospects into clients. But doing this can be a trap that negatively affects the perceived -- and real -- value of a business.

Some employers have made target-date funds a default option in their retirement plans, a move that has improved employees' diversification; Plus, many older people are torn between saving for retirement and helping their children pay for college.

The regional brokerage hired two new executives and promoted a third in a bid to provide more planning support to the firm's advisors.

Advisors should work with robos, not against them, industry leaders say. Pershing announced at its annual conference that it is joining the list of established financial firms adding digital tools and services.

Experts agree that while there's no cure for elder abuse, regulators, advocates and advisors can help mitigate the losses by educating investors and training financial professionals.

Industry leaders believe the plan isn't ready.

SEC sends contradictory message, critics say, urging the public's vigilance yet displaying leniency to a deceitful advisor.

Clients cannot request a new Social Security number to allay fears of possible fraud-related claims on their records, but may be allowed to change their number if the threat of abuse of their existing number continues; Plus, a new take on the right retirement age.

The term robo advisor is too broad to describe some of the new wave of digital wealth management companies, tech observers say.

Regulators at the SEC and FINRA are taking a hard look at how advisors and brokers are protecting digital systems. Here's how firms can respond.

Common mistakes clients and planners make.

There are some regulatory red flags that all advisors must pay attention to. But RIAs and brokers also face hurdles specific to their businesses when it comes to staying out of hot water.

Don't lose sight of what attracted them to you in the first place.

The Braddock Group left the independent broker-dealer for the regional.