Almost a year after spending $700 million ($1.3 billion Canadian) to acquire Midland Walwyn, Canada's largest independent broker/dealer, Merrill Lynch has begun to flex its muscle in the Canadian marketplace.In May, the firm began rolling out...

Salomon Smith Barney is backing away from tough language in its new employee handbook that sought to restrict arbitration awards (see RR, July 1999, Page 24).The handbook, made available to reps in April, said NASDR arbitrators could not award...

For the past year, Merrill Lynch has sued several defecting Pennsylvania reps and has convinced one arbitration panel to bar one of the brokers from contacting clients for a full year.Former Merrill rep Jennifer Maruca was enjoined by an NASD...

PaineWebber retail executives say the firm has no plans to offer discount services like Merrill Lynch, but they might be open to offering introductory services to clients who don't yet have a PaineWebber broker.The firm will be offering investors ...

The CFP Board of Standards will begin accrediting financial planning programs within firms and create a new Associate Certified Financial Planner designation for entry-level planners."When the public sits down for financial planning advice...

The online trading craze has sent a group of Canadian broker/dealers in search of regulatory relief. Saddled by what they say are overly strict suitability rules, the Canadian brokers want provincial regulators to rewrite existing regs to cut them...

Most brokers and managers know the rules against churning, unsuitability, unauthorized trading and misrepresentation. But newer regulations involving e-mail and broker compensation can trip up the unwary.After a series of rule changes, broker e...

American Express Financial Advisors (AEFA) is hoping to become more competitive in the independent contractor arena by letting reps choose among several new work options.The new career platforms, scheduled to be unveiled later this year, will...

A 20-something construction worker walked into Jeff Young's office with the idea of starting an investment plan. But in the course of collecting basic personal information, Young soon learned that the man--a referral--had a child out of wedlock...

1) Delegate.Loosen up and don't be afraid to share the load. But make sure you know whom you are entrusting. "Financial consultants should take the time to get to know their sales assistant, new accounts clerk, operations staff and even the...