When a spouse dies, the law is completely clear. In the U.S., even without a will, the widow or widower automatically gets the assets. Being married is like taking the car pool lane, says Frederick Hertz, an attorney in Oakland, Calif., and author...
Peter Camejo is either a walking contradiction or the kind of broker people could use as investing and corporate responsibility get reacquainted. He's a broker-turned-political candidate who is running for governor of California on seriously the...
Two and a half years of unrelenting declines have certainly made clients worry. Many have pulled out of the market. Others are so frightened they won't even consider doing anything at all unless it's hoarding gold bullion and bottled water. Here...
And now, for something completely different. The VICE Fund yes, this really exists invests largely in alcohol, gambling, tobacco and defense industries. The fund, launched last month by Mutuals.com, a registered investment advisor, has a minimum...
Brokers have seen double-digit drops in pay. So have investment product wholesalers. They suffered an average 18.5 percent drop in compensation last year, according to DGL Consultants. Variable annuities wholesalers fared worst, with a 31.9...
Last month we discussed the benefits of limited partnerships and limited liability companies as estate planning tools. This month we will look at the recent Hackl case, which struck terror in the hearts of estate planning professionals and their...
Think you're safe buying an investment grade bond for your client? Guess again. Rating downgrades are coming at a record pace. By increasing client asset allocation into bonds, brokers may not necessarily be reducing risk, even when restricting...
The truth about sales assistants: They are far more than "the help." Sales assistants have taken on more responsibilities than ever, including maintaining warm relations with clients. Our annual survey of sales assistants takes the measure of an...
After a long, hot and depressingly slow summer, clients returned from vacation last month, and with them, came that annoying paperwork that takes far too much of your time. How can you cut through the morass of documents and spend more of your day...
