Activist hedge fund manager Phillip Goldstein will create a non-profit to help the industry challenge "regulatory injustices."
The Conference Board's index of leading indicators perked up 0.1% in March, following five consecutive declines.
At Omaha, Neb.-based TD Ameritrade Holding Corp., first-quarter profits were up 35% to $187 million.
A bill would create a federal office inside the Treasury to provide expertise on regulating the insurance industry.
The number of mutual funds voting against climate change resolutions declined from 77.8% in 2004 to 65% in 2007.
Confusing information used by financial services firms is leading many Americans to make investing mistakes.
Paulson & Co.'s John Paulson was paid $3.7 billion in 2007, surpassing George Soros, who received $2.9 billion.
JPMorgan, Wells Fargo, BlackRock and Knight showed first-quarter profits, while Piper Jaffray swung to a loss.
Consumer prices rose by 0.3% in March, led by rising costs in energy, food and transportation.
U.S. housing starts totaled 947,000 last month, representing a 36.5% drop from March 2007.
