January 01, 2003

If you haven't noticed, the number of firms offering clearing services is dwindling. During the last year alone, Weiss, Peck & Greer sold its correspondent...

January 01, 2003

George Diachok is no stranger to the broker/dealer business. In fact, he retired from it in 2001 after selling the firm, Multi Financial Securities, that...

January 01, 2003

At a recent seminar, planner Linda Gadkowski was in the midst of explaining the importance of accurate beneficiary designations when a young man suddenly leaped...

January 01, 2003

Back in the mid-1980s, when Dave Polstra, a CPA, was breaking into financial planning, he wrote plans like crazy. "I would sit in front of...

January 01, 2003

Ameritrade is doing something really different: targeting small advisors that none of the other custodians want. Bear Stearns, Merrill Lynch, and Raymond James have all...

January 01, 2003

The U.S. tax system is extremely complex, and to an investor it can be very dangerous--much like traversing a minefield without the proper maps to...

January 01, 2003

Thank goodness for New Year's resolutions! This seasonal exercise allows us to look back at the past year, resolve to do better in mastering weaknesses...