Wealth management

The economic downturn took a toll on how much money wealthy families donated to charity in 2009, with average gift amounts tumbling by 35% from 2007, according to a Bank of America study released on Tuesday.

The unit of U.K.-based Barclays plc, opened a national U.S. trust company, Barclays Wealth Trustees (U.S.), NA., based in Delaware.

Glenmede Trust's office in New York has helped provide a quick asset boost in the wake of the market crash. The Philadelphia firm has added about $2 billion to its assets under management since the end of 2008, for a total of $18 billion.

S&P Equity Research, a division of the New York-based credit rating agency, identified 29 funds that achieved the highest overall five-star quantitative ranking in each of their respective categories, and gave them gold, silver and bronze placements.

For four days, advisors descended on Boston for insights on practice management, regulatory changes to help improve their business.

Most advisors segment their clients books, but few do so systematically, according to a Schwab practice management expert.

The ETF business is exploding with more providers entering the space and more interest from advisors and investors than ever before. Many advisors are becoming more sophisticated in their use of ETFs. However with rapid development comes confusion. The ETF 360 Summit on Oct. 21 in New York City helped advisors sort through the clutter and confusion, teaching them to identify the buying opportunities to get the best results for their clients.

More than half of investors are maintaining their level of charitable giving in the fourth quarter—whether their advisors choose to help them or not.

For four days in October, financial planners and advisors descended on Denver for the annual FPA Conference, which delivered information, tips and advice to help practitioners build a better business.

As part of the magazine's 40th Anniversary celebration, the publication honored six practitioners that have made significant contributions to the financial planning industry.

Registered investment advisors’ assets took an $8 trillion hit in 2009, but they’re rebounding this year with $4.6 trillion in gains.

Rydex/SGI annual benchmarking study finds majority of those surveyed are using alternatives in client portfolios.

Basic business practices such as client segmentation separate the winners from the losers among registered investment advisors.

Schwab study finds that strategy is key in effective deployment of tech services

Boston firm brings its institutional strategies to high-net worth individuals.

If you’ve done something wrong, cooperation is key to holding onto your certified financial planner designation.

The family office sector continues to experience key personnel shifts and increased consolidation.

The Unified Managed Account Exchange gives RIAs more control over product selection.

The firm is the latest in a string of high-profile financial services firms to adopt the term, all in an effort to take excellent care of their customers and distinguish themselves from competitors.