Wealth management

While stock values get the most attention after the Fed cuts rates, they affect trusts, too. Some beneficiaries of entities without flexible distribution provisions could take a big hit.

In a lengthy court reply, advisors who left Merrill this week to form an RIA with Dynasty Financial Partners accuse Merrill of "bad faith" for putting them on administrative leave and failing to reinvest in their business.

Also this week, Raymond James draws from Commonwealth again amid that firm's absorption by LPL Financial, and Osaic adds advisors with nearly $800 million in AUM.

Even as interest rates fall, investors keep piling into money market funds. Advisors think many could be putting their money to better uses.

Independent financial advisors get a lot of flexibility, but a study by Deloitte and Wells Fargo FiNet delves into the complexity of expanding successfully.

Merrill is also adjusting the incentives it gives advisors for steering clients into banking products.

For clients holding crypto, about half have experienced notable losses. But 70% have experienced notable gains, the latest Financial Advisor Confidence Outlook found.

For advisors who invest in cultural understanding, bilingual support and education, the growth opportunity is vast.

Firms are increasingly looking to provide high net worth clients with services stretching beyond basic wealth management. The offerings include everything from help with cybersecurity to taking out complicated loans.

Many express frustration with either real or perceived doubts about clients' concerns, but experts say they're missing an opportunity to address them up front.

The plan is just "phase one" in a broader proposal to allow greater trading with digital assets.

JPMorgan credits Sieg for helping to oversee the absorption of First Republic Bank and drive the firm's revenue and net new asset figures higher.

New Fidelity research shows a surge in plan sponsors offering financial wellness programs that could overlap with traditional advisor services, raising questions about future roles.

Even as Canadian investor and "Shark Tank" co-star Kevin O'Leary broke records last month with the $13 million basketball card he helped purchase, experts warn that there are pitfalls.

The regulator's Investor Advisory Committee said policymakers could abandon asset and income thresholds for determining who can put money into private markets and instead adopt a "sophistication" standard.

More Commonwealth advisors choose Osaic over LPL Financial, while LPL picks up a pair of Edward Jones advisors.

Amid legal scrutiny, Morgan Stanley is making changes to its deferred compensation policies while adding sweeteners for asset growth and deposit growth.

Two studies from Morningstar dive into the subtleties across the various categories of funds and the sources of the gap between actual and total investment returns.

The latest revision to state regulators' guidelines for non-traded real estate investment trusts could change who can invest and how advisors can recommend the products to clients.

Attorneys and other compliance experts say it's important that financial advisors greet any type of negative feedback with a thoughtful response — especially if it could turn into a legal matter.