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INDUSTRY NEWS FEB 22, 2010
Government-owned GMAC loses $5 billion in 4Q

Home and auto lender GMAC Financial Services said Thursday it lost $5 billion in the last three months of 2009, as losses from its mortgage operations kept the company in the red for another quarter.

By Bloomberg
REGULATION AND LEGISLATION FEB 22, 2010
Jailed Ponzi defendant used Morse code to dictate hit letter, prosecutors say

Prosecutors say a Utah man tried to hire a hit man to kill witnesses in a fraud case against him by dictating a letter from jail by Morse code.

By Associated Press
RIAS FEB 22, 2010
Jobs and economy take center stage - for the moment

Employment is now job one at the White House.

By MFXFeeder
INDUSTRY NEWS FEB 22, 2010
Morgan Stanley's James Gorman: Brokerage recruiting wars are over, for now

The battle for brokers, which led scores of reps to hop from one wirehouse to another in early 2009, came to a grinding halt at end of the year — a development that could last for years, according to James Gorman, new chief executive at Morgan Stanley & Co.

By Bloomberg
INDUSTRY NEWS FEB 22, 2010
Smith Barney buy boosts Morgan Stanley earnings

Morgan Stanley says it earned $617 million during the last three months of 2009 as its investment banking operations profited from its Smith Barney joint venture.

By Associated Press
Slimmer variable annuities attract thin following
RIAS FEB 22, 2010
Slimmer variable annuities attract thin following

Despite the market's lukewarm reception to John Hancock's slimmed-down variable annuity, other insurers continue to introduce competing products aimed at financial advisers who have usually sidestepped such VAs.

By Darla Mercado
LIFE INSURANCE AND ANNUITIES FEB 22, 2010
ING to sell stripped-down VA with stripped-down commission

ING plans to replace its traditional variable annuity offering with a simplified VA product that comes with a scaled-back commission.

By Darla Mercado
REGULATION AND LEGISLATION FEB 22, 2010
Citi, Wells looking to cash out taxpayers: sources

Citigroup Inc. and Wells Fargo & Co. are seeking to repay billions in federal bailout aid but so far haven't received permission from the government, people familiar with the talks told The Associated Press.

By Associated Press
INDUSTRY NEWS FEB 22, 2010
Big banks bounce back, but taxpayers stuck with $155B bill

At crisis' edge last year, they are repaying billions of dollars dumped into their vaults to rescue them. Dividend checks are accumulating at the Treasury. Taxpayers won't recoup the full sum of the government's unprecedented infusion to the financial sector, but the returns are ahead of schedule.

By John Goff
INDUSTRY NEWS FEB 22, 2010
First Eagle's Abhay Deshpande: Japanese stocks are the way to go

As the rest of the investment world gravitates toward red-hot emerging markets, Abhay Deshpande, co-manager of First Eagle Global Fund, is asserting that Japan actually may be the place to invest.

By Bloomberg
OPINION FEB 21, 2010
Service levels: Getting the message out

Don't miss an opportunity to communicate your service levels to clients and prospects.

By Maureen Wilke
REGULATION AND LEGISLATION FEB 21, 2010
Watchdog slams Finra's 'abysmal' record

A good-government group is asking Congress to rethink the concept of self-regulation.

By Dan Jamieson
Fleming nabs two big names for Morgan Stanley's invesment management biz
INDUSTRY NEWS FEB 21, 2010
Fleming nabs two big names for Morgan Stanley's invesment management biz

Gregory J. Fleming, who took the helm of Morgan Stanley Investment Management earlier this month, has nabbed two big names to boost the firm's invesment management biz

By Douglas Appell
LIFE INSURANCE AND ANNUITIES FEB 21, 2010
Spotlight on VAs

The humble variable annuity is gaining in popularity

By mlanche
LIFE INSURANCE AND ANNUITIES FEB 21, 2010
Guggenheim adds to collection

Guggenheim Partners LLC, an investment firm founded by the famous family for which it is named, said last week that it is acquiring Security Benefit Corp. — and with it Rydex SGI.

By David Hoffman
PRACTICE MANAGEMENT FEB 21, 2010
Counseling clients: Why a passive investing approach still makes sense

You need to be prepared to reassure nervous clients with sound advice and analysis.

By Bloomberg
RIAS FEB 21, 2010
The last laugh

For most investors, not having access to their money is a drawback.

By Darla Mercado
RIAS FEB 21, 2010
Wash. State floats 'shocking' changes to estate tax

A bill has been introduced in the Washington state legislature that would double estate taxes for residents.

By Jessica Toonkel Marquez
RIAS FEB 21, 2010
Time for compromise on Capitol Hill

The Senate this week begins debate on its version of a financial-reform bill.

By MFXFeeder
LIFE INSURANCE AND ANNUITIES FEB 19, 2010
Will ramped-up annuities come back to bite insurers - again?

Nationwide Financial Services Inc. yesterday bumped up its variable annuity living benefits, signaling a return — for some carriers — to the generous benefits that backfired on insurers when the stock market imploded in 2008.

By Darla Mercado