Securities and Exchange Commission Chairman Mary L. Schapiro last week issued an open letter to broker-dealer chief executives, warning them to make sure supervisors are vigilant about conflicts of interests as they recruit registered representatives.
As Tiger Woods publicly acknowledged his “transgressions” earlier this week, his wife was looking into changing the couple's prenuptial agreement in order to collect more of the pro golfer's millions, according to published reports.
Study after study has found that affluent clients, above all else, want three things from their advisers: comprehensive financial planning, high-touch service and regular communications.
Every successful financial services practice must build and maintain a professional network. At a minimum, this group of trusted professionals can supply you with information and be a resource for your clients.
By now, everyone with a pulse is aware that the game for financial professionals has changed, and an entirely new set of rules has evolved.
In your best clients' eyes, are you a knowledgeable, informed resource? Do you know about issues that are of greatest concern to your affluent clients?
A few early-bird financial advisers are starting to make plans to hire new employees.
Hong Kong regulators on Monday banned a former banker at one of Asia's top stock brokerages from the territory's financial industry for life after he was jailed for insider trading.
How do you deliver premium-level communications coverage to top clients when you're spread thin in terms of time and administrative help?
Summer is usually a time when advisers kick back and relax. But with revenue down across the industry, this summer may be quite different. Indeed, many advisers are suddenly looking for ways to fill the revenue void left by the market's downturn.
Financial advisers tempted to reward star employees with raises should think twice and instead offer them one-time bonuses, according to practice-management experts.
Now more than ever, it's important to segment your clients and be sure you are focused on the top 20% to 30%.
Independent advisers are mulling a switch to monthly electronic statements in order to cut costs.
If statistics are any indication, advisers see strength in numbers, according to a recent survey.
Financial advisers who have cut back on the work hours of their support staff to economize are reordering their service priorities to make sure clients aren't neglected.
Updated beneficiary details are so important and so often ignored that you will be providing an extremely valuable — and much appreciated — service by bringing this matter to your clients' attention.
According to a survey from Fidelity Investments, a huge percentage of financial advisers — 84% — had dealt with a client who suffered from Alzheimer's disease, and 96% of those surveyed didn't feel fully prepared to assist clients suffering from the disease.
The financial health of many affluent families isn't good. That is why most of these families are open to a second opinion regarding their finances.
The death of Michael Jackson underscores the importance of clients' having updated wills and financial plans. You can capitalize on this heightened awareness to be sure all of your clients' financial documents are updated and that their beneficiaries are correctly identified.
Investors are angry, scared and looking for someone to blame for the economic downturn, and unfortunately, advisers often are the scapegoats, bearing the brunt.
