Practice management

Hawaii is the best state for retirees according to the 2012 MoneyRates.com analysis of the Best and Worst Stated for Retirement in the U.S.

Have you thought about what you can do in your practice to improve how you operate your business, making sure that this year is a better year than last year? Do you think your practice needs improved focus in order to be more profitable? Chris Kirby has some suggestions that could streamline your business to a “leaner and meaner” more profitable machine.

Bank of America Merrill Lynch has just finished work on a new supply chain finance module for its CashPro Online banking channel for corporate clients.

Got an account in the red for the year? Dropped some iffy advice? That can be forgiven. But wait too long to call that millionaire client back and you might be out an account.

Franklin Templeton Investments announced the launch of its new online, interactive retirement center for advisors and plans sponsors on Thursday.

In spite of Medicare’s almost constant presence in the news recently, most U.S. investors still grossly underestimate how much they will need to save to cover the costs of healthcare in retirement, it emerged in a webcast last night from Wells Fargo’s retirement group.

Kevin Keller, the CEO of the CFP Board, expain how enforcement has changed since he took the helm at the company and he looks ahead at the future of the group.

Kevin Keller, the CEO of the CFP Board, discusses what it will take to attract advisors to become CFPs and dispels some of the biggest myths and misconceptions about the credentials.

The system now provides financial advisors with access to tax tools, account details and trading information.

Ask a room full of financial advisors if they have thought about business planning, and most will say yes. Ask that same group of advisors if they have actually taken the time to create a written business plan and more importantly, follow it, and the majority of that room will most likely say no.

Most believe without action to address tax cuts and spending cuts that are set to roll out at the end of the year, economic conditions will worsen.

Independent business owners associated with broker-dealers have a real chance today to capitalize on the frustrations that wirehouse advisors are experiencing with regard to increasing compliance burdens, lack of support and compensation limitations. Mindy Diamond says that a big problem, however, is that most of the firms these principals represent are not positioned properly to benefit from this unique opportunity.

Kevin Keller, the CEO of the CFP Board of Standards, says that the fiduciary standard will remain a hot button issue in 2013. In the second part of a four-part interview, he also discusses dealing with criticism after the organization raised fees last year.

With an eye toward the future and likely also toward steering the Facebook generation toward its own website, Fidelity Investments launched a new app for Facebook, called FutureTimeline, which allows users to set long-term financial goals and track their savings toward shorter-term goals, like vacations or buying a new car.

The trade group's annual gathering showcased an industry less preoccupied with stabilizing itself and adapting to new regulations — and more interested in looking toward the future.

The liquidation of boomers' assets will be the biggest opportunity for advisors over the course of the next 20 years, according to Tiburon's Chip Roame. Advisors just need to get past the bad attitudes.

Janney’s 32nd hire in their private client group this year, George Keith will be complex manager in Darien, Conn.

The Social Security Administration announced a 1.7% cost-of-living adjustment for 2013. That adjustment will also cause an increase in the maximum amount of earnings subject to Social Security tax.

Seven advisors have joined Baird’s wealth management group in Texas, Maryland and Nebraska in a late summer round of recruiting.

Everyone has deeply personal emotions, ties, commitments to political parties, religions, lifestyles, sports teams, etc. that we all judge, right or wrong. Ned Van Riper says advisors have to be cautious about what they say (and display) so as not to offend a potential client.