Industry News

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NEWS RIAS FEB 17, 2011
Prudential's pared-down VA has some advisers grumbling

Prudential once again has pulled back on the living benefits in one of its most popular variable annuities

By Darla Mercado
NEWS RIAS FEB 17, 2011
Other VA players may follow Genworth out door

Genworth Financial Inc.'s decision to leave the variable annuities business could herald more departures by other peripheral players this year.

By Darla Mercado
Fidelity VA slow to catch on with fee-based advisers
NEWS LIFE INSURANCE AND ANNUITIES FEB 17, 2011
Fidelity VA slow to catch on with fee-based advisers

Group still 'kicking the tires' on MetLife annuity; offering is popular with firm's reps, however

By Darla Mercado
NEWS RIAS FEB 17, 2011
LPL expanding menu of fee-based VAs

LPL Financial soon will unveil to its representatives an expanded menu of fee-based VAs — a product that has proved unpopular among brokers so far.

By Darla Mercado
NEWS RETIREMENT PLANNING FEB 17, 2011
Workers, retirees worried about finances: Survey

American workers and retirees are more hopeful about the economy now than they were in the third quarter, but both groups remain worried about their own finances, according to a survey released today.

By Mark Schoeff Jr.
Think tank urges cutting contributions to tax-deferred plans
NEWS RETIREMENT PLANNING FEB 17, 2011
Think tank urges cutting contributions to tax-deferred plans

A proposal to cut by more than half the total amount employers and employees may contribute to their defined-contribution plans could spur some employers to kill the plans, industry lobbyists say.

By Doug Halonen
With shutdown near, SEC set to halt adviser registration
NEWS RIAS FEB 16, 2011
With shutdown near, SEC set to halt adviser registration

If the government closes, the SEC will send most of its employees home. Another casualty: adviser registrations, which will be halted.

By Mark Schoeff Jr.
GOP lawmakers aim to balance budget — by 2040
NEWS RETIREMENT PLANNING FEB 16, 2011
GOP lawmakers aim to balance budget — by 2040

Rep. Ryan's plan envisions big cuts to Medicare, Social Security, but also caps tax rate at 25%

By John Goff
Fears about inflation inflated, Gundlach says
NEWS LIFE INSURANCE AND ANNUITIES FEB 16, 2011
Fears about inflation inflated, Gundlach says

Bond fund manager sees little risk of major price hikes; other experts agree

By John Goff
Schapiro: SEC can't enforce Dodd-Frank rules without more bucks
NEWS RIAS FEB 15, 2011
Schapiro: SEC can't enforce Dodd-Frank rules without more bucks

GOP budget cuts could end up declawing financial reform, the SEC boss warns

By Mark Schoeff Jr.
TD to advisers: Just say no to SRO
NEWS RIAS FEB 15, 2011
TD to advisers: Just say no to SRO

TD Ameritrade is urging RIAs to tell Congress to stick with SEC oversight of industry -- and is even advisers a sample letter to make it easier for them to weigh in.

By Dan Jamieson
SEC to advisers: Pay new fees or face more exams
NEWS RIAS FEB 15, 2011
SEC to advisers: Pay new fees or face more exams

Agency's much-anticipated report on adviser oversight fails to offer single approach; controversy ahead

By Mark Schoeff Jr.
NEWS RIAS FEB 15, 2011
House subcommittee chairman sees merits of SROs, fiduciary standard

The new chairman of a House subcommittee with jurisdiction over investment adviser issues is holding his fire on two crucial questions effecting the industry — until he reads upcoming reports addressing the topics.

By Mark Schoeff Jr.
NEWS FINTECH FEB 15, 2011
Tool provides college-planning edge

College planning is one area where financial advisers can really stand out from the crowd

By Davis Janowski
NEWS RETIREMENT PLANNING FEB 15, 2011
Are guaranteed 529 plans a losing proposition?

College savers are flocking to 529 plans that offer principal protection. But critics says investors in these structured products are likely to come up short when tuition time arrives.

By Bloomberg
McWhinney installed as head of Citi's Personal Wealth Management unit
NEWS INDUSTRY NEWS FEB 15, 2011
McWhinney installed as head of Citi's Personal Wealth Management unit

Struggling New York banking giant Citigroup Inc. today named Deborah Doyle McWhinney managing director and head of the bank’s newly created Citi Personal Wealth Management unit, which will include roughly 600 financial advisers already in place in retail bank branches throughout the country.

By Charles Paikert
NEWS INDUSTRY NEWS FEB 15, 2011
Deborah McWhinney to helm foundation

The ex-president of Schwab Institutional has become CEO and president of the Dennis & Phyllis Washington Foundation.

By Bloomberg
NEWS INDUSTRY NEWS FEB 15, 2011
Advisers mull effect of McWhinney’s exit

Many financial advisers, stunned by Deborah D. McWhinney’s abrupt departure from Schwab Institutional, are wondering just what caused it. Schwab offered little explanation as to why the 52-year-old executive left after more than six years or why there was no warning.

By Bloomberg
NEWS MUTUAL FUNDS FEB 14, 2011
Two ways to play the growing middle class: Philip Tasho

Agricultural commodities represents a creative way to invest in the world's emerging middle class, according to Philip Tasho, founder and chief investment officer at Tamro Capital Partners, which manages $1.4 billion in asset management.

By Jeff Benjamin
Obama budget would exempt IRA distributions for small accounts
NEWS RETIREMENT PLANNING FEB 14, 2011
Obama budget would exempt IRA distributions for small accounts

Retirees with less than $50,000 in their individual retirement accounts may not have to take required withdrawals under President Barack Obama's proposed budget.

By Mark Bruno