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Safeguarding IRAs in difficult times
Worries about bank failures and the stability of other financial institutions are all over the news lately.
A 1035 annuity exchange may look good, but only on paper
When advisers consider whether a client should exchange his annuity for a new model, one of the easiest…
Lessons learned from auction rate securities
Whether done voluntarily, as in the case of Merrill Lynch, or as the result of settlements with regulators, as with Citigroup, JPMorgan Chase, Morgan Stanley, UBS and Wachovia, the buy-backs of failed auction rate securities that giant Wall Street firms have agreed to undertake are significant.
First, do no intentional harm
Providing financial advice is similar to providing medical advice in that there is inherent uncertainty about whether recommended actions will achieve the desired results.
Keeping an eye on cash flow
Advisers have a fiduciary responsibility to educate their clients that generating enough cash to fund lifetime goals and objectives adequately is the key to financial success
Regulation will improve the health of real estate market
The best part of the housing bill signed by President Bush on July 30 was the section that establishes new regulations for mortgage loan originators.
Delusional distribution strategies
A recent survey by the Westport, Conn.-based MetLife Mature Market Institute indicated that 43% of baby boomers believed…
New IRS rulings affect investors
Three new revenue rulings released by the Internal Revenue Service over the past few weeks are likely to have substantial effects on investors.
Kudos to Merrill, Lone Star on their deal
Merrill Lynch & Co. Inc's actions last week may well have marked the beginning of the end of the financial crisis that has gripped the economy for more than a year.
Keeping clients calm and focused
Financial planners and investment advisers appear to be earning their fees. A survey by the Washington-based Center…
Fannie and Freddie: Grow up
Not immediately, but at some time in the foreseeable future, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac must be either officially nationalized or fully privatized.
A tax break for the military
The new Heroes Earnings Assistance and Relief Tax Act of 2008 contains several retirement plan provisions for military service personnel that financial advisers must know about.
1035 exchanges of annuities appealing but challenging
Are you trying to figure out whether or not it makes sense for your client to do a…
SEC’s rumor probe will lead nowhere
After weeks of slumbering on the sidelines, Christopher Cox and the Securities and Exchange Commission have become engaged in the financial crisis that has swept the markets.
Are best practices enough?
In casual conversation about the troubled financial markets, the words "risk" and "uncertainty" often are treated as synonyms.
Expand the Fed’s role carefully
Federal Reserve Board Chairman Ben Bernanke's speech last Tuesday attracted the most attention for new mortgage lending rules, to be detailed this week, and for leaving the Fed's doors open to investment banks until next year.
Master limited partnerships: The income is worth the effort
Master limited partnerships offer good income opportunities for retirees. From a tax standpoint, however, the MLP structure…
Customer service: Do you deliver?
While you can’t always guarantee investment, you can guarantee service that will make your clients feel valued.
Are deferrals worth it?
Last time, I discussed the rationale behind accelerating the payment of taxes rather than deferring taxes for as long as possible.
Congress should tread cautiously on futures
Many analysts have commended Southwest Airlines Co. for hedging its fuel prices years in advance, thus allowing it to remain profitable while the rest of the airline industry fell into or barely avoided bankruptcy.
