Search

The article offers ideas for employee benefit advisers about selecting the right client relationship management software (CRM) for their practice. It is important for advisers to consult their staff before making the decision on what CRM software to buy. In addition, it is beneficial for advisory firms to hire a technology consultant if they lack the time, knowledge or human resources for evaluating CRM software options. Asking other advisers about the CRM solution they are using is also advisable.

The discusses the importance for financial advisors to find and invest in the right technology to be able to produce dividends in terms of managing a more efficient and profitable financial planning practice. According to a research by The Aite Group, client relationship management software is one of the top business applications for advisors, second to financial planning software. Other suggested business tools to better serve clients are Web-based applications, video marketing and smart phone applications.

The article reports on the continued growth of U.S.-based exchange-traded funds (ETF) as of 2008. The growth of ETF into a spectacular array of divergent choices is evidenced by the inclusion of leveraged portfolio, funds tracking fundamentally weighted indexes and actively managed funds. Among the factors that contribute to the popularity of ETF are trading flexibility and the fund's low cost structure.

The article discusses how insurance plays a role in providing growth and protection of wealth for high-net worth individuals. According to wealth managers, these group of individuals need insurance to provide them an umbrella protection for liability, to lessen the impact of estate taxes and finance the cost of their life insurance premium.

The article focuses on real estate investment trust (REIT), which apparently adds diversification to portfolios. It states that a diversified global portfolio of property stocks will generally have lower volatility than a portfolio of U.S.-only property stocks. Global real estate securities funds, including the Westmont Asset Management in Los Angeles and Fox, Joss & Yankee in Reston, Virginia, have been launched to invest in real estate securities outside U.S. The shift in valuation encourages advisors to increase their allocations in client portfolios.

The article explores the advantages and disadvantages of being independent financial advisors. According to Barnaby Grist of Schwab Institutional, the average advisor going independent brings over $100 million in assets. Fidelity Institutional's Scott Dell'Orfano believes the primary reasons that elite advisors choose to start their own firms are the desire to build equity in their practices and the flexibility to offer broader platform of products.

The article presents "The City," a comic strip.

The article provides insights on the financial viability of investing on energy stocks, mutual funds and exchange-traded funds (ETF) to meet financial objectives, stating that investors may find profitability in exploring mentioned sectors due to increasing demand for energy worldwide.