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Merrill Lynch fined $1M in broker's fraud
REGULATION AND LEGISLATION OCT 18, 2011
Merrill Lynch fined $1M in broker's fraud

Bank of America Corp.'s Merrill Lynch unit will pay $1 million to resolve claims that supervisory failures enabled a Texas-based representative to operate a Ponzi scheme using a company account.

By Doug Cubberley
RIAS OCT 18, 2011
Major tax overhaul is long overdue

By MFXFeeder
FIXED INCOME OCT 18, 2011
Muni bond tax break seen surviving

By Mark Schoeff Jr.
Watchdog exposes the top investor swindles, scams and traps
REGULATION AND LEGISLATION OCT 18, 2011
Watchdog exposes the top investor swindles, scams and traps

Economic uncertainty and volatile markets are helping scam artists exploit the fear and greed of unsophisticated and often financially vulnerable investors.

By Andrew Osterland
Securities America reps more secure after 'transformational acquisition'
BROKER DEALERS OCT 18, 2011
Securities America reps more secure after 'transformational acquisition'

Rumors have been swirling for months about who would acquire Securities America, the embattled broker-dealer. On Wednesday, the guessing-game ended, as parent Ameriprise sold the B-D to Ladenburg Thalmann.

By Bloomberg
In selling LTC insurance, shift the focus to the risk for family members
RETIREMENT PLANNING OCT 18, 2011
In selling LTC insurance, shift the focus to the risk for family members

If you're recommending long-term-care insurance to clients as a way for them to protect assets and to care for themselves when they're old and sick, you're probably doing it incorrectly.

By Darla Mercado
BROKER DEALERS OCT 18, 2011
Indie broker-dealer says Reg D sales could drive it under

Another independent broker-dealer that sold high-risk private placements is hanging on by a thread, with the firm's management stating grave concerns about the broker-dealer's future

By Bruce Kelly
RETIREMENT PLANNING OCT 18, 2011
Health care costs claim bigger part of nest egg

Escalating medical expenses and Medicare cutbacks will strain retiree budgets

By Dan Jamieson
BROKER DEALERS OCT 18, 2011
Another indie B-D says it could go under

Private placements strike again: Another independent broker-dealer that sold high-risk Reg D offerings appears to be struggling. This week, CapWest Securities' management filed a report with the SEC stating grave concerns about the B-D's future.

By Bruce Kelly
INDUSTRY NEWS OCT 17, 2011
The marquees decide

In the past few months, several of the top names in the advice industry have gotten out of the indie B-D business. What do they know that you don't? |<b>Extra</b> <a href=http://www.investmentnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/gallery?Site=CI&amp;Date=20110923&amp;Category=FREE&amp;ArtNo=923009998&amp;Ref=PH>What the top RIA execs make</a>

By John Goff
REGULATION AND LEGISLATION OCT 17, 2011
Another ex-NAPFA prez in hot water

FBI raids home of adviser Mark F. Spangler in probe of alleged fraud; served as president of financial advisers association in 1999

By Darla Mercado
RETIREMENT PLANNING OCT 17, 2011
Last chance to re-characterize

Much has been written about the opportunity to undo, or re-characterize, a Roth IRA conversion if the assets in the account depreciate

By Robert N. Gordon
RIAS OCT 17, 2011
Bracing for the college tuition storm

By MFXFeeder
RIAS OCT 17, 2011
Schwab apologizes to RIA clients for marketing letter gaffe

Bernie Clark, head of Schwab Advisor Services, apologized last week to the firm's RIA clients, expressing regret for a marketing piece sent to advisers' clients who sponsor Schwab-held retirement plans

By Dan Jamieson
Dynasty trusts: A way to let the wealthy duck estate, gift taxes forever?
RETIREMENT PLANNING OCT 17, 2011
Dynasty trusts: A way to let the wealthy duck estate, gift taxes forever?

Jeffrey Thomasson, 52, may pass on more than $100 million to heirs using an estate-planning strategy for avoiding gift and estate taxes.

By Bloomberg
Treasury's insurance watchdog seeks feedback on systemic risk
LIFE INSURANCE AND ANNUITIES OCT 16, 2011
Treasury's insurance watchdog seeks feedback on systemic risk

The Treasury's Federal Insurance Office yesterday announced that it's looking for public comments &#8212; with a special focus on systemic risk &#8212; as part of a report on modernizing insurance regulations.

By Darla Mercado
RETIREMENT PLANNING OCT 16, 2011
More the exception than the rule

Recently, the Tax Court ruled that a taxpayer's continuing business activities and lack of credible evidence failed to qualify him as disabled under the tax code

By MFXFeeder
REGULATION AND LEGISLATION OCT 16, 2011
Court orders Wells to pay up in raiding claim

A California appellate court has ordered Wells Fargo Advisors LLC to pay $915,000 in legal fees to Stifel Nicolaus &amp; Co. Inc. and Stifel broker Chris Nielsen

By Dan Jamieson
REGULATION AND LEGISLATION OCT 14, 2011
Ten regulatory moves advisers need to know

Rep. Spencer Bachus, an Alabama Republican and chairman of the House Finance Committee, is floating legislation that would establish one or more self regulatory organizations to oversee investment advisers; the fiduciary standard hits a snag; and the SEC takes a look at sub-accounts.

By Liz Skinner
BROKER DEALERS OCT 14, 2011
'Selling away' again a concern for regulators

Suddenly, selling away is again a big concern for regulators and law enforcement agencies. In recent months, former reps at several marquee B-Ds have been investigated for allegedly peddling unapproved investments on the side. | <b>Extra </b><a href=http://www.investmentnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/gallery?Site=CI&amp;Date=20110923&amp;Category=FREE&amp;ArtNo=923009998&amp;Ref=PH>What top RIA execs earn</a>

By Bruce Kelly