Awash in a Sea of PhDs
By Mike PattonThis was an important week, both in a long-term strategic sense and from a current perspective. On the strategic front, I spoke at an annual...
May 12, 2007
Schwab Cuts PortfolioCenter Prices for Smaller Firms, Adds Service LevelSchwab Performance Technologies, the portfolio management software subsidiary of the Charles Schwab Company, announced a new version of its PortfolioCenter designed for RIA firms with 50 or fewer clients, called PortfolioCenter Emerging Practice, with a smaller pricetag than the full-blown software.
May 10, 2007
Adding Clients and Getting In Some ReadingThe term one armed paper hanger has taken on a new meaning this week. I gained another comprehensive financial planning client, which makes three total....
May 09, 2007
One Way or the OtherThe topic of dually registered advisors is hot. You'll find it discussed at most advisor trade conferences and see much commentary on the subject, especially on how broker/dealer firms are trying to accommodate this new model. Different than "pure" or fully independent RIAs, dually registered or "hybrid" advisors are those...
May 08, 2007
Fidelity to Offer CRM, Financial Planning ApplicationsAdvisors affiliated with Fidelity Registered Investment Advisor Group will have customized versions of two popular applications available to them in the fourth quarter: Oracle's Siebel customer relationship management offering, and EISI's NaviPlan Central.
May 03, 2007
Seeking Help on CRM, Portfolio SoftwareIn my last blog I wrote about my decision to choose the RIA route. This week I'd like to provide a brief summary of my...
April 26, 2007
Schwab to Repurchase Additional $500 Million in StockOn April 25, Charles Schwab Corp. declared its regular quarterly cash dividend of $0.05 share, but the company also announced that the Schwab board had authorized its second $500 million common stock repurchase plan of the year.
April 26, 2007
I've Made My DecisionThis week I feel like a pioneer embarking on a journey to discover new lands, with the difference in this case that many have blazed...