Wealth management

The implementation of the Economic Growth and Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2001 started the process of "decoupling" between the Federal estate tax and various states. As the years moved forward, many states retained a $1 million estate tax exemption amount, decoupling their exemption from the Federal amount that has ultimately risen to its current $5 million level. However, the reality is that a second decoupling just occurred in 2011, and as a result, a new state estate tax planning "loophole" has opened up, creating a planning opportunity for many clients, but only until the states close the loophole.

At a financial forum organized by Paris Europlace, Citigroup Vice Chairman Lewis B. Kaden gave his view of five positive contributions from reform proposals under development in the U.S. and in Europe and his take on five areas that will require "a great deal of future study." Here they are.

Legacy expert attorneys Andy and Danielle Mayoras say your clients have names and reputations that will live on after they’re gone. The estate planning guidance you provide them now will ensure their legacy and wishes are protected for generations to come.

Investors have no shortage of people to go to for advice. In addition to hundreds of thousands of financial advisors, they can turn to financial websites, blogs and financial shows on television. With such fierce competition, how can advisors stand out from the crowd? Consultant Paul Werlin, president of Human Capital Resources, has a few ideas. In a story in our upcoming May issue, Werlin identifies 10 ways advisors can set themselves apart in a crowded market. Here’s a preview.

On Wall Street and NYLife/MainStay Investments invites you to see the top 10 branch managers of the year for 2011 (IN ALPHABETICAL ORDER).

The firm will specialize in planning around the investment, retirement and insurance needs of the area’s working professionals and families nearing retirement.

Securities America, and other firms of varying sizes, are offering comprehensive support programs to lure new advisors, many of whom are trading commission-based firms for independence.

Here’s an interactive slide show featuring the five best-performing growth mutual funds so far this year.

Schwab report finds spike in total M&A activity in the RIA sector for the first quarter, but nearly half of the $23.95 billion in total assets under management transacted across 17 deals through March 31 came from one deal.

Wilmington Trust has tapped industry veteran William T. LaFond to head up its wealth advisory business in the Washington, D.C., and Richmond markets.

Legacy expert attorneys Danielle and Andy Mayoras say the legal battle between two feuding CEOs provides yet another example of why it’s so important for advisors to make prudent succession planning decisions as their firms grow and evolve.

LPL Financial said its RIA platform, the firm’s custody unit, eclipsed the $25 billion threshold in total assets under custody.

Genworth Financial Wealth Management launched a program offering its advisors access to capital to fund acquisitions and retirement.

Here's an interactive slide show with five tips from ACE Private Risk Services on maintaining adequate coverage into the retirement years.

For bank reps looking to advance their careers, there’s no better news than a promotion or a job offer that’s too good to refuse. Here’s a sampling of bank reps who were recently promoted or moved to new organizations to assume roles of greater responsibility.

On the heels of major organizational changes, Northern Trust promotes two more executives in its wealth management business.

BNY Mellon Wealth Management has named an expert in philanthropy and planned giving sales director of its Charitable Solutions Group.

The move reflects the ongoing erosion of wealth management market share in the wirehouse channel, the firm says, citing numbers from Cerulli Associates.

Here is an interactive slide show that details the Strategic Latin America Fund's top five countries by percentage of the portfolio allocated to each:

Denver-based Whitebox Advisors, the $2.3 billion asset management firm founded by Andrew Redleaf, is making a concerted push into the RIA channel with the help of third-party marketing firm Havener Capital Partners LLC.