Practice management

Now that the Labor Department has pressed forward with a controversial proposal for advisors in the retirement space, where do the rules go from here?

While many of the fundamentals of bank programs haven't changed much, the products, technology and sophistication of advisors and clients alike have increased exponentially.

The megabank's commitment to its branches stands out in an industry where customers are shifting more of their banking activity to mobile devices and PCs, and where banks take an increasingly ruthless look at branch performance numbers.

Advisors should advise clients to avoid buying a one-size-fits-all product and to check offerings by as many carriers as possible before making a decision; Plus, how to counsel pre-retirees who want to give financial assistance to their adult children.

Steven J. Dunkelberg was barred for allegedly swiping nearly $5,000 from a bank customer's account. He's the third rep to be ousted from the industry this year.

John Stanton Verble is suing Morgan after he says he was fired for helping federal authorities investigate one of the firm's clients.

The two new hires managed about $210 million in client assets while at Morgan Stanley.

Investment advisors should act in their customers' best interests, President Obama says. Here's how they don't, and how it can hurt investors.

The regulator meted out $135 million in fewer, but bigger, fines last year, the most it's assessed against firms and their registered reps since the financial crisis.

Pension plans grew 89% over the last 10 years, while GDP increased just 42%; Plus, provision in budget proposal that would prevent high-income workers from contributing to their 401(k) plans.

From confusing benchmarks to fictional 'income,' some advisors are deceiving clients about their financial health.

Three former Ameriprise advisors will sign on with the employee advisory channel at Raymond James.

The president insists that fiduciary requirements must apply to brokers working in the retirement space to protect investors from conflicted advice.

The former wirehouse group is larger than Dynasty's biggest recruiting grab in 2014.

As controversial fiduciary proposal to curb conflicted retirement advice heads to White House for review, insiders see exemptions permitting commonplace brokerage business models.

Clients who are financially knowledgeable incurred annual investment returns that are 1.3% higher compared with those who are not; Plus, the disadvantages of a retirement buckets strategy.

The White House plans to throw its full weight behind a Department of Labor proposal to make it harder for brokers to push higher-fee mutual funds or other expensive retirement investment products.

The CFP Board has released two new advertisements for its public awareness campaign -- but is the message clear enough?

Experts recommend that employers be more flexible with workers who borrow money from their 401(k) plans, such as giving more time for repayment or allowing loans to be rolled over to the next employer's plan.

What advisors should know about setting up an independent practice.