Practice management

Taking notes during client meetings is important, but what are you missing while you’re busy trying to jot down what you are hearing and (not) seeing?

Activities unfolding within 3 separate industry rulemakers -- the SEC, FINRA and the Labor Department -- suggest changes ahead for both brokers and advisors.

Firms should reach out to clients early to pre-empt potential downturn in their portfolios, FINRA said.

The use of social media within an advisory practice has been the subject of much debate within the industry, but one of the most common arguments for advisors limiting or altogether barring sites like Facebook and YouTube within the firm -- compliance -- might be dramatically overstated.

It’s all about the story – if you want to attract and retain more women clients an advisor consultant told attendees at the Schwab Impact conference.

Deciding whether to impose a uniform fiduciary standard for brokers and investment advisors was a “high priority” for the SEC, but there is no timeframe for a rule, Commission Chair Mary Jo White said.

Wealth, widowhood, retirement strategies and practice management tips were all in focus in at the Women Advisors Forum in Chicago in October. Here are a few of the smartest things we heard in Chicago.

The three asset management firms are among those attempting to discount the credibility of a report released by the Office of Financial Research last month that argued such companies potentially pose a threat to the economy.

The Financial Stability Board lowered the proposed surcharge on globally systemically-important banks for Citigroup and Bank of New York Mellon, leaving JPMorgan Chase as the only U.S. institution to face the highest 2.5% capital buffer.

New registrants with the SEC or veteran advisors who haven't been examined in many years can expect to hear from regulators in short order, a prominent securities lawyer told attendees at Schwab Impact conference.

Wealth management firms seeking to recruit new advisors need to first develop a clear business strategy, executives tell attendees at Schwab Impact conference.

In a business update to CFP holders, the board presents research on its Let's Make a Plan campaign, clarifies its fee-only position -- and skips a discussion of recent controversy.

Despite a recent show of political opposition, the Labor Department seems poised to press ahead with a proposal to broaden the definition of fiduciary to cover advisors working in the retirement plan segment, a leading opponent of the measure warns.

The new model has to be able to serve clients "any time, any place and anyhow," said Bernie Clark, the head of Schwab Advisor Services at the financial service giant's annual Impact conference in Washington, D.C.

Banks nationwide agree: Costly branches must evolve to accommodate modern times, but question marks remain on the how. Higher functioning ATMs, tablet-equipped employees, and video tellers are some of the ways financial institutions are testing out new branch models.

The answer rests not with the firms but with advisors themselves, says James Kerr, president of Davidson Companies.

Bank of America should pay the maximum penalty of $863 million for selling defective loans to Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, given the egregiousness of the fraud, U.S. prosecutors told a federal judge.

Firms need technology resources and budget allocation if they want to create a social media program for their advisors.

Social media marketing is a key component in an effective inbound marketing strategy, but it’s important to capture the right “voice” on your social media sites.

Demand is high for experienced executives across all channels. While advisor migration to independent RIAs remains the dominant trend, large wirehouse and bank players are also very much in the game for talent.