Practice management

Moving into management isn't a natural progression for some. It requires a different skill set and it's not always the most successful advisors who make the grade.

Retirees may start their search by visiting Medicare's website where they can compare facilities; plus, a moderate retirement saver portfolio for young investors and eight things investors should be thankful for.

"You are the captain of your social media and marketing campaign," advisor Lynn Ballou told attendees at the Women Advisors Forum. Here are nine quick tips on how to make the most of your efforts.

One is to check how much you've contributed to your 401(k) plans and IRAs; plus, how to determine the "funded status" of personal retirement plans and the steps to take to ease post-career anxiety.

Stifel Financial hired a new branch manager who previously worked for Merrill Lynch.

The San Diego-based advisor allegedly participated in private securities transactions that resulted in two elderly investors losing more than $340,000.

Emphasis at the Women Advisors Forum in San Francisco is on smart strategies advisors can use to build their practices and support women in the industry.

"Most advisors are struggling to grow their businesses in a way that is directly impacting their bottom line," says FPA CEO Lauren Schadle. So what are firms that are growing doing right, and what should other advisors be doing differently?

Financial advisors say they want more help developing better practices. Asset management firms are answering the call.

Rather than relying entirely on themselves, self-directed investors are consulting more sources of investment information and advice, including real live advisors.

Company founder filled account with stock that wasn't publicly traded and used low values to stay technically under the contribution limit; plus, jumbo-loan challenges for retirees and how to avoid the Medicare surcharge.

Once a client has made a donation to his or her favored charity, your work has just started. Changes in tax laws, investment values and charitable organizations mean that advisors need to be vigilant.

The retirement plan industry is evolving rapidly. Here are a few key trends that will help advisors looking to engage in the retirement plan market.

Madison and Omaha are among the top retirement havens; plus the factors retirees should consider in deciding where to retire and what pre-retirees need to do now.

Once a client has made a donation to his or her favored charity, your work has just started. Changes in tax laws, investment values and charitable organizations mean that advisors need to be vigilant.

Want a better way to help staff improve? Here's how to turn the end-of-the-year ritual into an experience that's productive for you and your employees.

A Morgan Stanley branch manager left the wirehouse to join Raymond James & Associates and help with the firm's expansion plans.

A FINRA arbitration panel ordered an ex-Merrill Lynch advisor to pay his former employer more than $400,000 in damages.

Many investors would like to own high-yielding stocks that have very low risk. Unfortunately, in the real world, such beasts are extremely rare. The following 10 stocks are the current yield champs in the S&P 500 index.

When spouses or other family members can't agree on where to donate their money, it's time for some diplomacy.