A Battle Over Values, Not Ideas
By Mike PattonI recall my training from years ago. I was instructed to meet the client when they arrived, look them in the eye, shake their hand,...
May 01, 2008
What Lurks BeneathWhen two of Bear Stearns's highly leveraged hedge funds that reportedly had invested in subprime loans imploded last summer, the firm stepped in with $1.6...
May 01, 2008
Watch ListOver the past five years, the focus has shifted for the independent advice community, a shift that has been reflected in the IA 25, our...
April 19, 2008
Freedom Without Ethics = DisasterI went to see the new movie Ben Stein co-wrote, entitled "Expelled.. What does this have to do with my journey to independence, you ask?...
April 01, 2008
Getting a Handle on 408(b)(2)The Department of Labor's (DOL) newly proposed 408(b)(2) regulation, which mandates disclosures of compensation and conflicts of interest by plan service providers will, when finalized,...
March 25, 2008
The Taste of IndependenceAs I approach my first anniversary of independence I think back and consider the ups and downs I've experienced. For those of you in a...
March 07, 2008
Ending a Three-Year Settlement SagaFidelity Investments has agreed to pay an $8 million penalty for accepting over $1.6 million in gifts and entertainment paid for by outside brokers.