Opinion

Displaying 2102 results
NEWS OPINION SEP 28, 2008
It's time for a federal financial services agency

InvestmentNews argued last week that the entire regulatory system for the financial industry needs to be revamped, after an independent commission has thoroughly reviewed the factors that contributed to the mess.

NEWS OPINION SEP 22, 2008
Address financial crisis, calmly

The crisis that has swept the financial markets in the past few months, beginning with the collapse of The Bear Stearns Cos. Inc. of New York and continuing with the bailout of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, and now the government takeover of American International Group Inc. of New York, makes obvious the need to revamp totally the nation's financial-markets regulation.

When cashing out of an annuity makes sense
NEWS OPINION SEP 19, 2008
When cashing out of an annuity makes sense

NEWS OPINION SEP 15, 2008
Big bailout magnifies risks

The immediate reaction to last week's federal takeover of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac was overwhelmingly positive.

NEWS OPINION SEP 08, 2008
Can brokers be fiduciaries?

Judging by newly proposed regulations on investment advice, it looks as if the Department of Labor is trying hard to engineer a sharp turn from the course established by Congress.

NEWS OPINION SEP 08, 2008

NEWS OPINION SEP 05, 2008
Pre-retirement checklist is an essential planning tool

NEWS OPINION SEP 01, 2008
Housing's continuing crisis

Financial planners and investment advisers are likely to have a hard time calming their clients over the next few months as the mortgage crisis continues to roil the financial markets.

NEWS OPINION AUG 25, 2008
Corporate-tax system needs overhaul

According to a report by the Government Accountability Office, 28% of large U.S. corporations paid no income tax in 2005.

NEWS OPINION AUG 22, 2008
A 1035 annuity exchange may look good, but only on paper

NEWS OPINION AUG 18, 2008
Lessons learned from auction rate securities

Whether done voluntarily, as in the case of Merrill Lynch, or as the result of settlements with regulators, as with Citigroup, JPMorgan Chase, Morgan Stanley, UBS and Wachovia, the buy-backs of failed auction rate securities that giant Wall Street firms have agreed to undertake are significant.

NEWS OPINION AUG 11, 2008
First, do no intentional harm

Providing financial advice is similar to providing medical advice in that there is inherent uncertainty about whether recommended actions will achieve the desired results.

NEWS OPINION AUG 11, 2008
Keeping an eye on cash flow

Advisers have a fiduciary responsibility to educate their clients that generating enough cash to fund lifetime goals and objectives adequately is the key to financial success

NEWS OPINION AUG 11, 2008
Regulation will improve the health of real estate market

The best part of the housing bill signed by President Bush on July 30 was the section that establishes new regulations for mortgage loan originators.

NEWS OPINION AUG 08, 2008
Delusional distribution strategies

NEWS OPINION AUG 04, 2008
Kudos to Merrill, Lone Star on their deal

Merrill Lynch & Co. Inc's actions last week may well have marked the beginning of the end of the financial crisis that has gripped the economy for more than a year.

NEWS OPINION AUG 04, 2008
Keeping clients calm and focused

NEWS OPINION JUL 28, 2008
Fannie and Freddie: Grow up

Not immediately, but at some time in the foreseeable future, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac must be either officially nationalized or fully privatized.

NEWS OPINION JUL 25, 2008
1035 exchanges of annuities appealing but challenging

NEWS OPINION JUL 21, 2008
SEC's rumor probe will lead nowhere

After weeks of slumbering on the sidelines, Christopher Cox and the Securities and Exchange Commission have become engaged in the financial crisis that has swept the markets.