Indexed-annuities amendment: Insurers yea, advisers nay
Congressional committee approval late last week of an amendment to the financial-reform bill maintaining state regulation of equity-indexed annuities drew mixed reaction, with insurers cheering the action and advisers largely opposing it.
Another indie B-D bites the dust
Okoboji Financial Services Inc. filed forms with both the SEC and Finra to withdraw as a broker-dealer.INsider: Why are so many broker-dealers disappearing?
Another indie broker-dealer is closing up shop
Another independent broker-dealer is shutting down — this time, so its parent company can refocus on its insurance business.
AFA shuts its doors — more B-Ds to follow?
AFA, which shut its doors today, is the second independent brokerage to go under in two months. And there may be plenty more to follow
Stuck in the middle
They're in their prime earning years, often saving for their kids' college education at the same time they're forced to support an aging parent (while, of course, trying to save for their own retirements, too.) In this exclusive Lifestages special report, InvestmentNews focuses on the middle years: 40 to 60.
2010 Advisers’ Choice
Who do financial advisers think are the most influential and respected portfolio managers and fund companies? Find out in this exclusive InvestmentNews special report
Senate compromise on fiduciary duty draws cheers, jeers
An insurance group lauds a proposal requiring the SEC to merely examine a single standard of care. And what will come of the study? Not much, says a consumer advocate.
House-Senate negotiators hit impasse on fiduciary standard
Standard of care takes center stage on Capitol Hill amid a flurry of offers, counteroffers, and counter-counteroffers. Right now, House-Senate negotiators appear to be locked in a stalemate.
Retail investors flocking to ‘one of the all-time suckers’ bets’
Drawn by tales of fast money in the land of iron condors, retail traders are swarming the futures market. But do they know what they're doing?
Vanguard latest to drop commissions on ETFs
Move comes months after competitors Charles Schwab & Co. and Fidelity Investments separately eliminated commissions on certain ETFs
Coming soon: More charges against Madoff accomplices
Two people familiar with the probe into Bernard Madoff's massive financial fraud say at least two former employees will face charges in the coming weeks.
Will Merrill Edge boost or bite BofA?
In rebranding its online discount brokerage, Bank of America is trying to squeeze in to an already crowded space.
Fiduciary advocates launch one last ‘huge push’
When House and Senate negotiators gather tomorrow, they're scheduled to consider strengthening the fiduciary duty provision in landmark financial regulatory reform legislation.
<b>Incite</b>: Retiree ‘Ponzi scheme’ is $16 trillion short
Social Security just celebrated its 75th birthday. Economist Laurence Kotlikoff says it's time to retire the cash-strapped pension plan -- or face disastrous results.
Clients behaving badly: How advisers cope
Airline attendants aren't the only ones who put up with rude customers
Fund managers smacked by bets on Goldman Sachs
A number of mutual funds placed sizable bets on Goldman Sachs -- bets that have been walloped by the SEC's suit against the Wall Street titan
‘Boiler room’ brokerage operation busted
FBI agents raided the offices of a New York-based brokerage and arrested several people suspected of running a boiler room operation, with links to the mob, that allegedly defrauded investors out of $12 million.
House-Senate conference the last chance for fiduciary amendment
After more than three weeks of debate, the Senate approved a comprehensive overhaul of financial regulations on Thursday night without acting on fiduciary standards amendments.
Push for fiduciary standard fading in Senate
For now, it's unlikely that the Senate will consider any amendments that are not already in the pipeline for floor action.
Investors drilling BP
Investors pummeled shares of oil drillers and BP yesterday, sending the company to 15 month low, after President Obama talked tough about dealing with the worst oil spill in the nation's history.
