Last week the Department of Labor released a series of FAQs and their responses. Our Kim O’Brien breaks down four key points found among the 34 answers DOL provided.
New research shows that nearly 3 in 10 advisors are leaving or considering leaving the industry due to new regulations. However, additional survey data shows many advisors adopting a positive attitude toward new rules.
The Department of Labor fiduciary rule is going to have a major impact on overhead costs and, eventually, client fees, say financial industry insiders. How will advisors evolve?
Are there any unexpected ‘Black Swan’ events ahead that could prove damaging for investors? Three important ones as it turns out.
Mergers and acquisitions of registered investment advisors (RIA) rose sharply in the third quarter as firms jockey for positioning in a new compliance-centric world. Experts say the consolidation trend will continue.
Life insurers began reporting third-quarter earnings this week and so far so good.
New Treasury Department rules are expected to encourage defined benefit plans to offer hybrid distribution options that include an annuity.
Will the run of states legalizing marijuana use make it a trendy focus for investment? Experts disagree on the future prospects of cannabis investing.
The Department of Labor releases a guidance with answers to 34 questions received from financial services providers and others since its controversial fiduciary rule was published in April.
How will conversations go when advisors are forced to sign contracts with longtime clients under the Department of Labor fiduciary rule? Our Kim O’Brien imagines it…
The exemption would grant the marketing organizations “financial institution” status. This would allow agents under contract with the marketing organizations to sell commission-based fixed indexed annuities.
Participating whole life insurance can take financial risk away from a client while giving them an asset that will last forever.
Even if they don’t realize it, financial planners provide a ready-made channel to sell individual disability insurance coverage into the growing employer-sponsored multilife market.
The rule, titled Cybersecurity Requirements for Financial Services Companies, is likely to come across as a hefty and expensive proposition for many insurance companies and their distribution networks.
Insurance marketing organizations are sweating out applications to the Department of Labor that will allow them to continue selling financial products under new fiduciary rules.
Regulators and insurance industry groups are asking for more revisions to a proposed regulation governing agent liability in connection with data security.
Did the Brexit vote have the detrimental impact on the U.K. economy that naysayers predicted? Hardly, analysts say. In fact, advisors might want to consider Great Britain as a foreign landing spot for their client’s portfolio.
Is it possible that some advisors will continue receiving trips and other incentive-based compensation under the Department of Labor fiduciary rule? The answer is yes, one analyst says.
Advisors are getting more comfortable using Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn to market services. One big reason: using social media is generating an average asset gain of $4.9 million.
