Practice management

'It's like rolling through a stop sign and you get the death penalty,' says the lawyer for Florida advisor Max Zavanelli.

After years of mastering the intricacies of investments and portfolios, many advisors still have a hard time really understanding clients. The broker-dealers in the bank channel are trying to help unlock those secrets.

Banks are still feeling negative effects from last year's sudden rise in medium- and long-term interest rates, but plenty of signs in the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp.'s latest industry update continue to point to a lending resurgence in the near future.

Critics of the DoL's effort to extend fiduciary responsibilities to retirement plan advisors scored a victory this week when the agency disclosed that it is pushing back the rollout of its proposal until at least next year.

Stifel Nicolaus & Co. has added a former Morgan Stanley advisor who managed more than $250 million in assets.

Growth opportunities for broker-dealers in the bank channel will come from within. Instead of seeking unprogrammed banks, they will focus on increasing their existing ranks and expanding their share of clients’ business.

Advisors recount efforts to help troops, being rebuffed by the military and their hope for change.

Following an investigation by Financial Planning that showed a strong link between money woes and troops taking their own lives, a lawmaker pushes for additional funding to help them get comprehensive financial advice.

Morgan Stanley sued to recover more than $3.6 million it paid to defend a former broker who was imprisoned for his role in a kickback scheme.

By snapping up a series of independent B-Ds in quick succession. the RCS Capital executive chairman has instantly made himself an industry player. He talks to Financial Planning about his plans.

Two former Wells Fargo Advisors who managed $400 million have left to join a firm with Focus Financial Partners, the network of independent financial advisors.

High-speed trading isn’t such a big problem for investors - but the underlying structure of the U.S. financial markets just might be.

HighTower has added a Merrill Lynch team with nearly $300 million in assets to its new network aimed at breakaway independents.

Charles Gualano isn't competing against other banks and their advisors; or even some lower fee structure. More often, he’s working against investors' anxieties or misconceptions.

Generational wealth transfers can play a large role in the future growth of advisory firms -- but woe to those firms that aren't prepared for it. A few planners share their strategies.

The Boston-based subsidiary bank of Spanish global banking giant Santander Group has overhauled the program it took over from Sovereign Bank and is looking ahead to significant growth.

Competition is getting even tougher. Make sure you offer clients better service, deeper relationships and access to smarter experts.

Advisor rating site BrightScope's first list of the country's "most social" advisors is met with some head-shaking by planners.

Putterman says his new consulting firm, 1812 Park, is aimed at developing long-term strategies for wealth management companies.

A former Merrill Lynch advisor team has left the wirehouse to form Quadrant Private Wealth, a new partner firm of Focus Financial Partners, according to a spokesperson.