Wealth management

As the trend toward independence continues, the opportunities raise questions from those advisors who are considering making the move. Dynasty Financial Partners' Shirl Penney provides some answers.

Advisors who move aggressively into fee-based business end up doing much better than their transaction-based colleagues, with more assets, a higher return on those assets and more revenues, according to a new report.

RIA in a Box's registration maintenance service focuses on turning down an RIA's panic level from surprise regulatory visits.

UPDATE: Who are the most influential people in our industry? Financial Planning is now accepting nominations for our annual Influencer Awards. We are seeking the most impactful individuals in multiple categories who are leading -- and sometimes pushing -- the industry to higher levels. The awards will recognize practitioners and thought leaders who have made significant contributions to the financial planning profession, from developing innovative portfolio and practice-management solutions to providing leadership for the advisory community.

In an uncertain market, many wealthy clients are fearful of giving away liquid assets to reduce the size of their estates. An alternative is to give a home to the next generation using a lease-back strategy.

Stocks from three industry sectors stood out from the pack last month. Did you have your clients locked into any of these summer standouts?

The Olympic Games have been a training ground for some into a second career as a financial advisor. On Wall Street caught up with several of those advisors as this year's games heat up in London. Take a look at who they are, the challenges they faced as athletes, and how that prepared them for their advisory careers.

Financial Planning and the Foundation for Financial Planning recognize life-changing volunteerism with the 2nd annual Pro Bono Planners of the Year Awards.

Here's a sampling of bank reps who were recently promoted or moved to new organizations to assume roles of greater responsibility.

Schwab Advisor Services has expanded its "Insight to Action" practice management consulting program for registered investment advisors.

What is the fastest growing financial services market and distribution channel? According to Tiburon Strategic Advisors, it's the fee-based financial advisory market.

Fighting over estates is never pretty. These court battles are emotional, draining, and sometimes downright nasty for everyone involved. When they happen to the estate of a beloved American icon, it's even more tragic.

Financial Advisor Phoenix Advisors LLC is hiring three financial advisors from Capital Financial Advisors.

Pioneer Investments is boosting its coverage of registered investment advisors with the addition of Brian Kilar as a wholesaler for the RIA channel.

Chaisson joins the boutique wealth manager after spending 19 years at Smith Barney, Bank of America and Fidelity Investments.

In the ongoing consolidation of the independent B-D space, insurer AIG's acquisition of Woodbury Financial Services brings the smaller firm in from the cold where it has become increasingly challenging to survive without a larger parent company.

A planner offers tools for coping with a paralyzing loss.

Some Americans are giving up their passports to save on taxes.

To help protect assets and reduce taxes, consider family limited partnerships and family limited liability companies.

FP's Pro Bono Planners of the Year Awards celebrate the idea that planning is worth sharing.