Hennessy Advisors is set to aquire assets related to the management of the SPARX Japan Fund and SPARX Japan Smaller Companies Fund, which have some $65 million in assets. ...

Merrill Lynch Global Wealth Management says that 35 of Barron’s "Top 100 Women Financial Advisors" list are members of the firm (including advisors with Banc of America Investment Services). ...

The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) of Washington, D.C., says that two new large-firm representatives have been elected to its board and a third new member appointed to its independent dealer seat. ...

FINRA and SIFMA outline their ideas for reform and share their preliminary reactions to the administration's positions. ...

Sheryl Stephens and Margaret Starner of Raymond James, who have been recognized in the past by Research magazine, were recently named among Barron’s “Top 100 Women Financial Advisors” by Winner's Circle. ...

The Swiss investment bank says net new money has been negative in the three wealth and asset management divisions in the second quarter of 2009 to date. ...

The suit against Bank of America/Merrill Lynch seeks class-action status and claims that since wealthier clients have been steered to male financial advisors, female advisors were typically eligible for only lower production-based bonuses. ...