In the world of trust and estates software, no package is all things to all users trying to perform a given task. So, when looking to buy software, focus on what works for you. To help with the process, I offer the Kelley Software Purchasing...

An unethical practice is widespread among charities with donor-advised fund (DAF) programs. Financial advisors1 benefit financially from promoting and facilitating the contribution of their clients' funds to charities. These deals, in which donors...

Talking is good any marriage counselor will tell you so. I mention this because the relationship between regulators and the brokerage industry lately resembles that of a long-term union that's hit the rocks, and the pair could benefit from opening...

Dreams are an important part of any successful advisory business. Indeed, they represent perhaps the purest form of aspiration. But there's a reason that is a derisive term in the business world: Many people are unwilling to pay the price for...

Three years ago, Dave Malleck realized he needed professional help. A principal with Raymond James Financial Services in Dallas, Malleck had been so drilled into the day-to-day running of his practice that he could not make time to carve out the...

The branch office manager of yore is dying. The do-it-all BOM the guy who would mentor an office's young bucks, auditing their tickets and their client interactions all while recruiting and tending his own book is becoming obsolete in today's...

Once, it was common to advise international clients to set up their tax-free trusts in one of the offshore tax havens places with sun-kissed beaches and afternoon rum breaks. No longer. Now, these international clients should seriously consider...

FOR THE FINANCIAL SERVICES INDUSTRY, the baby boomer generation holds the promise of huge riches. Some 76 million men and women born between 1946 and 1964 fall into this vaunted demographic. And millions of them are among the high net worth and...

When the NASD released follow-up guidance on Conduct Rule 3012 in April, it aimed to clarify how member firms must supervise the personal business of producing branch managers. Unfortunately many firms particularly independents remain confused...