Wealth management

Biases that arise from misconceptions (and laziness) can do lasting damage to a client's retirement plan and an advisor’s business—the popularity of "file and suspend" is just one example

Prompted by a Financial Planning investigation, more effective advice for soldiers and vets in financial distress is the objective.

From the family feud that rocked Nicholas Schorsch's REIT and IBD empires to LPL's regulatory lapses and a wealth management crisis sparked by a CEO's private fund, the advisory industry had a healthy share of lowlights in 2014. Here are some of the most memorable.

The CFP Board’s first computer-based exam attracted over 2,100 applicants.

Raymond James recruited advisors with about $2 billion in combined assets, including a Merrill Lynch team with $535 million in AUM. Meanwhile, UBS hired a $2.5 million producer and Wells Fargo grabbed a team managing more than $400 million in assets.

A change in S&P Dow Jones investment classifications has the potential to change both the makeup and the perception of some dividend-focused ETFs.

"He clearly wouldn't be walking way [from American Realty Capital] if things were business as usual,” says Aite Group analyst Alois Pirker. “The optics are just not very good."

With nearly 16,000 firms managing $2.4 trillion in assets, Cerulli predicts the RIA industry will capture 28% of retail investor assets by 2018.

The $500 million firm "outgrew" Ameriprise before joining one of the country's largest aggregators, United Cap's Brinker says.

A couple who bought a business using money from their self-directed IRA faced a big tax bill as the value of the business increased; Plus, how to transition your clients before you retire.

From the breakthrough performance of 'robo advisors' to Schorsch's big grab, the advisory industry has seen major changes in 2014. Here's a look at the most important events and trends pushing the industry forward this year.

Year-end tax planning isn't necessarily a good reason to bring up charitable planning with your clients.

RCS Executive Chairman Nicholas Schorsch and two other top executives resigned from American Realty Capital Properties.

High-income workers can contribute more than $30K to their Roth IRA every year despite contribution limits imposed on this type of retirement account; plus, how investors can use the drop in oil prices to boost retirement income.

Big producers continued to strike out on their own in 2014. See the year's biggest breakaways.

Retirement calculators only give an opinion of the sufficiency of retirement savings and do not provide an accurate assessment; plus, what to do when markets tumble.

Advisors still have time to come up with significant savings for their clients.

Citigroup and Goldman Sachs Group were among 10 banks fined for failing to shield analysts from pressure to promote stocks a decade after a U.S. crackdown sought to end Wall Street conflicts of interest.

The tax and financial advantages of a charitable gift annuity are substantial, but sometimes oversold. Make sure donor clients understand how these annuities work.

Former Convergent Chairman Steve Lockshin offers his take on events and issues surrounding the suicide of his friend, ex-Convergent CEO David Zier.