Western & Southern Financial Group Inc.'s decision to base its variable annuity investment options on exchange-traded funds is a positive for the insurer, allowing it to better manage market risk tied to the products, according to Moody's Investors Service
Bring on the fiduciary standard. In a recent InvestmentNews survey of almost 600 advisers, registered reps, financial planners, insurance agents and others, 69.2% said that they agree with the SEC's staff recommendation that any financial professional giving personalized investment advice be deemed a fiduciary
While he's too modest to boast about being a successful entrepreneur, Marty Bicknell is the first to admit that he's a poor prognosticator
Advisers soon will see whether last week's reaction to events in the Middle East and North Africa will reverse the slow return of investor confidence that markets have been enjoying
Will serve as managing director for firm with $7.1B in AUMs; outfit started out as John D.'s family office in 1882
Execs at wirehouses may say their businesses are not threatened by RIAs, but assets managed by independent, fee-based advisers are surging
Adviser Investments purchasing Kobren Insight; said to be management buyout
Republican leaders in Washington should stand down in their efforts to block the revival of the popular Build America Bond program
Charles Schwab aims to attract smaller RIAs by expanding its retail network
Prudential once again has pulled back on the living benefits in one of its most popular variable annuities
Genworth Financial Inc.'s decision to leave the variable annuities business could herald more departures by other peripheral players this year.
LPL Financial soon will unveil to its representatives an expanded menu of fee-based VAs — a product that has proved unpopular among brokers so far.
If the government closes, the SEC will send most of its employees home. Another casualty: adviser registrations, which will be halted.
GOP budget cuts could end up declawing financial reform, the SEC boss warns
TD Ameritrade is urging RIAs to tell Congress to stick with SEC oversight of industry -- and is even advisers a sample letter to make it easier for them to weigh in.
Agency's much-anticipated report on adviser oversight fails to offer single approach; controversy ahead
The new chairman of a House subcommittee with jurisdiction over investment adviser issues is holding his fire on two crucial questions effecting the industry — until he reads upcoming reports addressing the topics.
In the world of variable annuities, 2010 may have been the year of the guaranteed-minimum-withdrawal benefit
To make their variable annuities more attractive, insurers revved up living-benefit features last year
Summary prospectuses for variable annuities are supposed to help consumers make informed decisions about buying these complicated investments
