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LIFE INSURANCE AND ANNUITIES SEP 08, 2011
Ratings aside, new Security Benefit CEO aims for stronger retirement product presence

Insurance and investment veteran Michael Kiley, who will take the helm of Security Benefit Corp. on Sept. 30, is setting his expectations high.

By Darla Mercado
S&P downgrades 11,500 munis tied to U.S.
FIXED INCOME SEP 08, 2011
S&P downgrades 11,500 munis tied to U.S.

S&P assigned AA+ scores to about 11,500 securities in the $2.9 trillion municipal bond market, including school-construction bonds in Irving, Texas; debt backed by a federal lease in Miami; and a bond series for multifamily housing in Oceanside, Calif.

By Doug Cubberley
Muni offerings hit the skids
RETIREMENT PLANNING SEP 08, 2011
Muni offerings hit the skids

Concerns over a possible default by Uncle Sam rippling the lakes of state issuers; five top-rated borrowers braced for possible downgrade

By John Goff
Surprise! U.S. Chamber takes swipe at Finra
INDUSTRY NEWS SEP 08, 2011
Surprise! U.S. Chamber takes swipe at Finra

In a surprise, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce slammed the self-regulatory organization in a report this week. In it, the business group claimed, among other things, that many Finra directors have 'limited or no experience working for a financial services firm.' .

By Mark Schoeff Jr.
REGULATION AND LEGISLATION SEP 08, 2011
Most Dodd-Frank adviser changes remain up in the air

The bold new era of regulation that Congress laid out in the Dodd-Frank financial reform law has not arrived — at least not for financial advisers.

By Liz Skinner
SEC wants comments on how to kill off outdated rules
REGULATION AND LEGISLATION SEP 07, 2011
SEC wants comments on how to kill off outdated rules

By Liz Skinner
Volatility driving more advisers to alternatives
INDUSTRY NEWS SEP 07, 2011
Volatility driving more advisers to alternatives

Increased market volatility is driving more financial advisers toward alternative investments and a more active approach to investing, according to the results of a new survey from Jefferson National Life Insurance Co.

By Jeff Benjamin
REGULATION AND LEGISLATION SEP 07, 2011
Buzz: NAIFA backs Finra for adviser SRO

Lobbying in favor of a self-regulatory organization for investment advisers has gained momentum, with a major insurance organization calling on Congress to authorize Finra the to do the job.

By Doug Cubberley
NAIFA backs Finra for adviser SRO
REGULATION AND LEGISLATION SEP 07, 2011
NAIFA backs Finra for adviser SRO

Lobbying in favor of a self-regulatory organization for investment advisers has gained momentum, with a major insurance organization calling on Congress to authorize Finra the to do the job.

By Mark Schoeff Jr.
Obama aims to roll back roll-back of Dodd-Frank
REGULATION AND LEGISLATION SEP 07, 2011
Obama aims to roll back roll-back of Dodd-Frank

President defends 'important changes,' nominates first head of consumer protection bureau; Republicans seek guarantees

By John Goff
Pimco's Gross: Obama's $300B doesn't cut it
RIAS SEP 06, 2011
Pimco's Gross: Obama's $300B doesn't cut it

Bill Gross, founder of Pacific Investment Management Co., said President Barack Obama's plan to stimulate the economy with more than $300 billion in tax cuts and spending is inadequate.

By Doug Cubberley
INDUSTRY NEWS SEP 06, 2011
'New normal minus'

Bill Gross recently ratcheted down his outlook for the U.S. economy. He's not alone. A new survey shows advisers are growing increasingly pessimistic about the state of the recovery -- and the prospects for a stock market rally.

By John Goff
Pimco to gain more 'autonomy' in AGI restructuring
RETIREMENT PLANNING SEP 06, 2011
Pimco to gain more 'autonomy' in AGI restructuring

Allianz Global Investors on Tuesday announced restructuring effective Jan. 1 that will give PIMCO greater distribution independence and will more closely align the elements of Allianz's other business.

By Drew Carter
WIREHOUSES SEP 06, 2011
BofA's woes making life difficult for Merrill advisers

Warren E. Buffett's $5 billion vote of confidence in Bank of America Corp. last Thursday notwithstanding, Merrill Lynch advisers have been forced to reassure clients over the past few weeks that their parent company is not headed for insolvency.

By Andrew Osterland
Fiduciary standard gets new — and influential — advocate
RIAS SEP 06, 2011
Fiduciary standard gets new — and influential — advocate

Wealth managers say it's time all advisers look after the best interests of clients when offering financial guidance. In fact, scores of wealth managers have banded together in a non-profit that backs a higher standard of conduct. .

By Mark Schoeff Jr
Puny Treasury yields could trigger more cuts to annuities – and agents' commissions
LIFE INSURANCE AND ANNUITIES SEP 06, 2011
Puny Treasury yields could trigger more cuts to annuities – and agents' commissions

With key 10-year Treasury yields touching an all-time low, insurers may have to rein in annuity benefits even further. That's bad news for the carriers -- not to mention brokers and clients.

By Darla Mercado
Ten-year Treasuries overvalued — and then some — but investors buying anyway
RETIREMENT PLANNING SEP 06, 2011
Ten-year Treasuries overvalued — and then some — but investors buying anyway

Term premium at an all-time high, but investor confidence in economy at rock bottom; 'fear priced into yields'

By John Goff
Gold market is a 'bubble poised to burst,' Wells Fargo says
INDUSTRY NEWS SEP 06, 2011
Gold market is a 'bubble poised to burst,' Wells Fargo says

Speculative demand from investors has pushed the gold market into a “bubble that is poised to burst.” Wells Fargo & Co. rings the "warning bell."

By Doug Cubberley
Bill Gross: The four factors that will really shape our debt bets
INDUSTRY NEWS SEP 06, 2011
Bill Gross: The four factors that will really shape our debt bets

Nothing in the Congressional compromise reached over the weekend makes a significant dent in our $1.5 trillion deficit, writes the Pimco bond guru.

By Bloomberg
INDUSTRY NEWS SEP 06, 2011
Dear Mom and Dad: Camp is great; I won a medal for investing!

For some children of the extremely affluent, vacation will mean taking part in special programs designed to help them deal with issues surrounding wealth

By Andrew Osterland