MetLife Inc., the insurer reducing variable annuity sales by more than half, said rivals that are expanding are probably retaining less funds to back the retirement products.
Fixed-annuity sales in the third quarter reached their highest level since 2009, topping $22 billion. That number represents a 31% rise from the previous quarter and more than a 35% increase from the same period last year.
<i>Breakfast with Benjamin:</i> Big news from two tech giants: strong earnings and a gamechanging sale. Plus two questions: Should you worry about the rout in emerging markets and is your technology working for or against you? Also: A super price for a Super Bowl suite.
Advisers should spend more time vetting private-placement funds and their managers, commission says.
They're a great way to save on federal taxes, but state treatments differ widely.
Just as advisers have to become experts in learning the best Social Security claiming strategies, they need to learn how Medicare and tax rules could affect their clients' bottom line in retirement.
Don't move funds based solely on the word 'free,' regulator says.
Deal offers portal for advisers to engage clients and prospects, connects with RCS Capital.
State regulator charges Jordan Belfort disciple with engaging in abusive sales practices, churning a client's account and using markups to conceal commissions in the account of an 81-year-old investor.
Reading through the slew of year-in-review articles brings thoughts of breakthroughs to come in 2014.
The storied chief executive of the now-defunct Wall Street brokerage John Thomas Financial Inc. continues to face an open Financial Industry Regulatory Authority Inc. fraud complaint that he bullied brokers, lied to senior staff and intimidated colleagues in his pursuit of penny stock riches.
Dozens of brokers from John Thomas Financial Inc. have found new employers in New York's financial district.
Fiscal cliff agreement on exemption jettisoned in budget proposal; financial planners scrambling
Chances of substantial overhaul slim to none; lip service
Mukesh Mehta leaves TD Ameritrade to oversee network of four broker-dealers.
More Americans than ever converted their tax-deferred IRAs into Roth plans in 2010, led by IRA holders with annual incomes exceeding $1 million. Advisers successfully pitched the switch as a pay now, save later strategy.
In the wake of Mohamed El-Erian's surprising departure from Pimco, Joe Duran began to ask himself what makes people change course, what motivates people to change and to question the purpose that drives all of us in our daily lives.
Younger advisers being transitioned into larger roles in the business have a distinct advantage that helps them build client relationships &mdash; their comfort with technology.
“We think of it as a bit of a game changer,” said Neesha Hathi, senior vice president of Advisor Technology Solutions at Schwab.
