Practice management

MyNewFinancialAdvisor.com has created an online referral, or eReferral, system, connecting financial advisors and prospective clients based in the United States.

A former Massachusetts CFP and his colleague spent $1 million of their clients’ funds on personal expenses, including fast food, legal fees and ATM withdrawals at casinos, the SEC alleges.

Four firms agreed to pay $105,000 in fines for violations of pricing, political contribution, supervisory and other rules of the Municipal Securities Rulemaking Board.

The Pasadena-Calif.-based bank decided to move its program because of Cetera’s technology platform, product menu, reporting capabilities and the training it provides advisors.

The Senate Banking Committee approved Mary Jo White’s nomination to lead the Securities and Exchange Commission on a bipartisan vote, clearing her way to become the first ex-prosecutor to lead the agency.

Morgan Keegan employees were required to make a home office visit after their firm was acquired by Raymond James.

Recruiting and hiring experienced, client-facing advisors with ultra high-net-worth experience is extremely difficult right now, with demand high and supply low, say a number of executive search specialists.

The Internal Revenue Service is reminding tax professionals that they must implement safeguards to protect taxpayer data.

Federal regulators would “like to codify exemptive relief” from provisions of the Investment Company Act of 1940, so they can focus on more innovative fund applications.

Almost half of American workers and 36% of retirees lack confidence that they will have enough money for a comfortable retirement—but few are turning to advisors for help.

Through less promotional posts, advisors may be able to avoid the red tape.

Wealth is shifting to new demographic groups, requiring advisors to re-evaluate their approach to client engagement. Here, we explore the key business factors driving the urgency behind advisors’ need to focus on women.

Wells Fargo has hired 17 advisors to its standalone branches and added nine advisors to its independent brokerage business, Financial Network.

Personal devices can pose a serious threat to businesses if strict policies and preventative cybercrime measures are not put in place, according to a study. Advisory firms may be wise to maintain a watchful eye on employee communication.

As the Securities and Exchange Commission's enforcement and litigation activity in 2012 demonstrates, the agency's focus on municipal market enforcement has increased dramatically, and this trend seems likely to continue under the SEC's new leadership.

When small business owners become successful, they become a magnet for questionable deals and speculative investments.

The system isn’t falling apart, but clients in their 60s have more personal concerns at heart—and you need to be able to answer their questions.

A new report on FINRA's 2012 actions suggests the self-regulatory body is getting tougher.

After hiring 3,597 full-time agents last year, New York Life is raising the ante, with a goal of adding 3,700 reps in 2013. Among the new hires, more than half are expected to be women or individuals who represent the “cultural markets,” as the company put it, referring specifically to the African-American, Chinese, Hispanic, Korean, South Asian, and Vietnamese communities.

From future predictions to fee inquiries: Here are a few inquiries that aggravate financial advisors the most.