RIA News

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RIA NEWS MAY 25, 2011
States worried about viability of prepaid college savings plans

Faced with escalating tuition costs and lackluster investment returns, some states are considering plans to cut back on the benefits offered through their prepaid college savings plans

By Liz Skinner
California goes to school on 529 plans
RIA NEWS MAY 25, 2011
California goes to school on 529 plans

Aiming to take advantage of lower fees and other investor-friendly trends in the college savings plan market, the Golden State puts its plans out for bid.

By Liz Skinner
John Hancock to pony up $1 million to Louisiana in death benefit flap
LIFE INSURANCE AND ANNUITIES MAY 24, 2011
John Hancock to pony up $1 million to Louisiana in death benefit flap

Payment to the Bayou State marks third such settlement for the insurer in less than two months

By Darla Mercado
RIA NEWS MAY 24, 2011
Startup Washington Wealth Management snags MSSB big John Simmons

Virginia-based firm looking to add more wirehouse advisers; founder touts adviser transition program

By Andrew Osterland
RIA NEWS MAY 24, 2011
Trace evidence? Ameriprise took years to boot alleged forger, Finra says

Finra censures Amerprise after the firm purportedly discovered a broker who was allegedly forging client signatures -- but failed to boot him out of the company for over two years.

By Bruce Kelly
Connecticut is latest state to probe death benefit payments
LIFE INSURANCE AND ANNUITIES MAY 24, 2011
Connecticut is latest state to probe death benefit payments

Connecticut's insurance department yesterday kicked off an inquiry into insurers' payments of death benefits and the steps the insurance companies take to locate beneficiaries.

By Bloomberg
FIXED INCOME MAY 24, 2011
Deutsche Bank: Bargains going a-begging in muni market

Investors are continuing to stampede out of tax-exempt muni bond funds, but they probably shouldn't, according to Gary Pollack, Deutsche Bank AG's head of fixed-income trading

By Andrew Osterland
Legg Mason overhauls executive ranks
RIA NEWS MAY 24, 2011
Legg Mason overhauls executive ranks

Following a quarter in which it sustained nearly $13 billion in net outflows, Legg Mason Inc. is reorganizing its senior ranks

By Jessica Toonkel
REGULATION, LEGAL & COMPLIANCE MAY 23, 2011
Ketchum pledge: More-efficient Finra oversight

By MFXFeeder
LIFE INSURANCE AND ANNUITIES MAY 23, 2011
Life carriers' risk controls under scrutiny

By Darla Mercado
Life insurers gird for risk management grilling by advisers
LIFE INSURANCE AND ANNUITIES MAY 23, 2011
Life insurers gird for risk management grilling by advisers

Insurers are girding for a flurry of questions about their risk management from broker-dealers and advisers whose interest has grown following the economic bust.

By Darla Mercado
Securities America, plaintiffs' attorneys strike deal: Sources
RIA NEWS MAY 23, 2011
Securities America, plaintiffs' attorneys strike deal: Sources

In a huge turning point for Securities America, the besieged brokerage and attorneys representing investors have purportedly agreed to settle lawsuits arising from the sale of soured private placements

By Bruce Kelly
Securities America, plaintiffs making 'substantial progress'
RIA NEWS MAY 23, 2011
Securities America, plaintiffs making 'substantial progress'

In an e-mail sent to brokers Friday evening, Securities America said crucial negotiations with investors suing the B-D could lead to a final resolution of the dispute. Without such an agreement, the brokerage -- and its 1,800 reps -- may be facing the end of the line.

By Bloomberg
<font color = red>INsider:</font> Report that Ameriprise 'may' let SA go under could be off the mark
RIA NEWS MAY 23, 2011
<font color = red>INsider:</font> Report that Ameriprise 'may' let SA go under could be off the mark

A report today indicated that Ameriprise 'may' let Securities America go under. But sources tell InvestmentNews that plaintiffs lawyers have just made their first settlement proposal to Ameriprise.

By Bloomberg
LIFE INSURANCE AND ANNUITIES MAY 23, 2011
The Hartford nabs VA exec from Jackson

Steve Kluever has parted ways with Jackson National Life Insurance Co., joining The Hartford Financial Services Group Inc. and heralding a new push in variable annuity development for the insurer

By Darla Mercado
LIFE INSURANCE AND ANNUITIES MAY 22, 2011
Booted reps often keep insurance licenses

Neal Smalbach was fired by a broker-dealer in 2008 for selling securities while he was unregistered, an infraction that got him suspended by the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority Inc. for six months, according to the organization's BrokerCheck system.

By Bruce Kelly
RETIREMENT PLANNING MAY 22, 2011
The secrets of the top advisers

Gregory Vaughan has the demeanor of your favorite college professor — accessible, attentive and humble

By Andrew Osterland
RIA NEWS MAY 22, 2011
Urge investors to vote all their proxies

By MFXFeeder
RIA NEWS MAY 22, 2011
A portfolio that purrs

Animal lovers now have their own socially screened stock portfolio to cuddle up with — without the fear of fur balls, ticks or fleas

By Dan Jamieson
Rollover funds go a-begging
RETIREMENT PLANNING MAY 22, 2011
Rollover funds go a-begging

Workers often leave 401(k) accounts with former employers for no good reason, survey finds; advisers missing a trick

By Lavonne Kuykendall