Expert Views

Wednesday Deadline Approaching For Foreign Accounts

by Seth J. Entin

People who haven't reported ownership of foreign accounts by September 23 may face jail time and fines.

Shrimp Happens

by Jeff and Jeanice Harring

A tale of elder fraud on the Louisiana bayou.

Making Hay While The Sun Shines

by Richard A. Behrendt

"Opportunity is knocking." That's been the mantra of estate planners recently as the first half of 2009 has been ripe for high-net-worth clients to consider some very robust estate planning.

Seven Deadly Advisor Traps

by Mark Matson

Many financial professionals fall into traps during a successful career. These traps will define your practice and, to no small extent, your future and destiny.

Investing In People

by Alan N. Walter

In spite of the recession, this may be the time to form new relationships, to bring in that new person and expand your business. 

The SEC's Role In Financial Services Reform

by W. Hardy Callcott

A look at how Obama's blueprint for financial services reform would affect the SEC and the groups, including advisors, the agency oversees. 

Pointers On Hiring New Advisors

by

With good financial industry veterans leaving banks and wirehouses, independent firms need to be ready to recruit those advisors. 

Alternative Investments Are the New Mainstream

by Andrew Rogers

We've all heard that it was impossible for anyone to make money in 2008. Apparently, no one told this to the investment managers of Harvard University's endowment...

Intergenerational Gifts: The Pretty Side Of An Ugly Economy

by Steve Parrish

When are depressed values, low crediting rates and tax law changes good news?  The answer is when you are trying to move family wealth without experiencing gift and estate taxes.

Client Communication

Advisors interested in improving communication with clients may want to take this survey.

Choosing A Coach

by Bill Bachrach

Eleven keys to choosing the right training and/or coaching program for you. 

CFP Mark Standards Too Low?

by Somnath Basu

A finance professor who feels the requirements of the CFP mark are too weak answers his critics.

The Longevity Opportunity

by Stephen Mitchell

Is calling longevity a "risk" the best way to connect with our clients and prospects on this critical and often sensitive issue? 

Will FINRA Police Advisors Going Forward?

by Janet Aschkenasy

Not if the advisor community can help it.

A Closer Look At Treasury's Bank Plan

by Erica Berg, Chris Daniel, Nicole Ibbotson and Kevin Petrasic

The authors explain how the program to resolve the troubled asset problem plaguing banks will work. 

In Defense Of The CFP Mark

by Kevin R. Keller

When it comes to ethical behavior and a commitment to putting clients' interests first and providing financial planning services with a fiduciary duty, CFP certificants lead the way.

Suddenly Single? Now What?

by Russell Fox

Advisors working with those who have recently lost a spouse need to be prepared to help the surviving spouse take the next steps in securing their finances.

Restoring Trust In The CFP Mark

by Somnath Basu

A painful truth is that many financial practitioners are sales people masquerading as planners or advisors in an industry whose ethical practices have a shameful track record.

Is It A Great Time To Be A Financial Advisor?

by Bill Bachrach

The answer is yes, but the biggest challenge is not the stock market or the economy; it's inside your own head.

The Top 10 Ways To Deal With Toxic Assets

by Nicole Ibbotson & Kevin Petrasic

This top ten list of ideas to deal with the crisis includes possible solutions that stand out for their promise, creativity and/or sheer audacity.