This is the fourth part of an ongoing series for advisors evaluating recruiting packages, retention packages, plans to set up their own fee-only advisory firms or even the possibility of joining and independent broker-dealer and/or advisory firm. ...

Some advisors imagine that wholesalers enjoy cushy lives: big base salaries plus fees for new assets, dinners on the company tab, golf outings, and other perks. It's time to radically rethink this picture. ...

Another 6,400 jobs were eliminated in February from the securities industry, for a reduction of over 0.75 percent for the month. This brings the total job loss from the peak employment month in June 2008 to over 54,000, or a decline of bout 6.4 percent....

Paul Santucci, who leads recruiting for UBS Wealth Management UBS, explains how the broker-dealer has been on a tear in the United States. ...

While the recent crash course in market downturns has been painful for advisors and investors, there are some valuable lessons to be appreciated. ...

The Fed's announcement that it would buy some $1.2 trillion of Treasuries and debt caused a ripple across various aasset classes, including gold, silver and bonds. ...

Barclays Global Investors has unveiled its "ETF Managed Solutions Guide" designed for financial advisors in identifying more than 30 third-party managers (or TPMs) who offer model ETF portfolios. ...

The SPDR Barclays Capital Long Term Credit Bond ETF (LWC) has just been introduced by State Street Global Advisors; LWC provides market exposure to long-term (10-plus years) investment grade bonds....

Since risks are unavoidable and the planning process is highly complex. One step that can help is for advisors and clients detail and prioritize expenses in order to separate basic needs from more discretionary lifestyle-type costs. ...

Insurers that sell variable annuities have had to contend with volatile equity and credit markets. As a result of the changes, the industry is moving towards more standardized benefits, according to several experts....

Though short-focused or commodity-themed exchange traded funds (ETFs) are making headlines for their performance, such funds are only a small part of the ETF universe. ...

A discussion with Kelly Welker, Branch Manager, Welker Financial Strategies LLC-LPL Financial, in San Antonio....