• January 2010

  • Cover Story

  • What Does the Future Hold?

    By Pamela J. Black
    Having made it back from the brink, the outlook for bank brokerage in 2010 is looking up, if for no other reason than last year was so bleak. Of course, a lot depends on the market holding up reasonably well and the economy continuing to recover. So far, most economists agree that both are likely.

    Recruitment Roundtable
    CEOs from the largest bank brokerage firms met to discuss the issue most on their minds.

  • Columns

    • Producer Profile

  • Turning Back from Independence

    By Howard J. Stock

    Jason Phipps, a Primevest rep at National Bank and Trust in Wilmington, Ohio, finds out the hard way that the branches are where his bread is buttered.

  • Departments

    • Production

  • Teach Your Clients Well

    By Steve Garmhausen

    A referral solution from Truebridge enabled Anchor Bank executives to parlay educational materials and retail-banker training into impressive cross-selling results.

  • Shopping for Clients at the Company Store

    By Dave Lindorff

    There are two ways to view a request for free advice. You could feel burdened or you could see the request as an opportunity. Steve Zales, a Wells Fargo bank rep, took the latter approach and built a career in serving not-for-profit institutions and their employees.

    • People

  • When the Wolf Is at the Door

    By Howard J. Stock

    How some advisors are helping those affected by layoffs and a diving home prices — and getting rewarded for it.

    • Portfolio

  • Going for the Gold

    By By Dave Lindorff

    Inflation fears have sparked a new rush for the glittery stuff. What should you tell clients?

  • In Every Issue

    • Branching Out

  • Motoring On in Detroit

  • Editor's Letter

  • Ring in the New!

    Most of us are incredibly happy to see the end of 2009 with its market lows and unemployment highs. Now those trends are reversing and this year promises to be better.

  • FrontLines

  • Retirees Are Burning Through Assets

    Almost half of all financial assets held by households over age 65 can now be considered in retirement income drawdown mode, according to the study by Hearts & Wallets.

  • Diversification, Contributions Shore Up 401(k)s' Recovery

    Good news for 401(k) participants — retirement wealth has increased, so much so that balances are higher than before the market downturn, according to study by Vanguard Investments.

  • Hedging Client Exposure to Extreme Risks

    The market may now seem to be improving, but nay-saying consultant Watson Wyatt has one message for investors: If it turns out to be a double-dip recession, don't say we didn't tell you so!

  • Switching Between Fiduciary and Suitability Rules

    Despite expressing support for a fiduciary standard, commission-only brokers still want to be able to revert to their old suitability standard when they recommend and sell investment products.

  • Trends & Takeaways

  • Fidelity's 529 Fee Cut

    Managers of 529 college-savings plans have always competed on fees, but the latest round of the bidding war promises to be the most intense.

  • A Tentative Turnaround for Bank Brokerage

    Bank brokerage revenue finally increased in the third quarter after five quarters of decline, according to the Bank Insurance and Securities Association's Productivity and Performance Report: Third Quarter 2009.