Wealth management

Despite a 10% drop in the total number of broker-dealers in the past five years, the total number of reps industrywide has fallen a correspondingly negligible amount.

The upcoming issue of Bank Investment Consultant will feature our annual Top Program Managers. And later this week, we’ll have a slide show of the winners. In the meantime, here’s a peek at those who just missed the cutoff (in alphabetical order). Plus, here’s a link to last year’s winners.

The Dow eked out a tiny gain in April. Here's a look at the five stocks that did the most to hold back the group last month.

Through all the ups and downs last month, the Dow Jones Industrial Average still managed to post a tiny gain – 1.59 points, or 0.01% -- for the month. Here’s a look at the five best-performing Dow component stocks in April.

The group of three advisors said changes at the bank forced their hand.

Industry veteran Steven M. Short will oversee the wealth management offices in the bank’s footprint, which includes about 15 markets across six states.

Legacy expert attorneys Danielle and Andy Mayoras say even the most savvy and successful entrepreneurs are counting on their financial advisors to protect their life’s work and legacy after they’re gone. Are you up to the task?

The Chicago-based company bought Tamarac Inc., to expand the services it provides to RIAs.

Advisors must realistically assess their clients' readiness for life after work.

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.