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• IRS Expands Options for Retirement Plan Fixes

  The IRS has offered more ways for employers to make voluntary corrections in their employee retirement plans to bring them into compliance with tax laws and regulations.

• FolioDynamix Buys SunGard Advisor

  FolioDynamix has announced its purchase of SunGard Advisor Technologies Inc.

• 401(k) Contributions Hold Steady

  Fidelity found that Americans are holding steady when it comes to balancing their concerns over the economy and the declining market, and saving for their retirement.

• Customization Report Card Says Needs to Improve

  Wealth management firms are taking steps to better customize their services for clients with more than $1 million, industry observers say.

• Approved for Portfolio Margining, Pershing Aims at High-Net-Worth Clients

  Newly permitted to offer portfolio margin accounts, Pershing says it will target high-net-worth customers with the higher-leverage accounts.

• Wealthy Investors Grow Pessimistic

  High-net-worth investors are becoming increasingly pessimistic about the economy and dissatisfied with the performance of their financial services providers.

• Curian Products in Works Heed Retirement Demand

  Curian Capital LLC of Denver is developing a managed account for investors who need their portfolio to produce regular income as they enter retirement.

• SEC Warns about 401(k) Debit Cards

  The SEC has issued a warning about the use of 401(k) debit cards that allow employees at some companies to borrow money from their retirement plans.

• MassMutual Permits 401(k) Sponsors to Customize Plans

  MassMutual's retirement services division is offering a customized 401(k) tool for plan sponsors and retirement plan advisers.

• Execs in Two Camps Differ Only on Slump's Duration

  Few banking institutions escaped the pain of credit deterioration in the second quarter, but as executives presented their companies' results in recent weeks two camps seemed to emerge.

• Getting Antsy: Advisers Cope with High-Strung Clients

  The fluctuations in the stock market have created quite the headache for advisers, not to mention the surfeit of investment information via the Internet and cable news.

• The Dichotomies of the 22 Million Mass Affluent

  Frugal and lavish at the same time, the new rich have $22 trillion to spend.

• Bank Tidal Wave Douses Wealth Management

  In the wake of a crisis, investors may strike out on their own.

• Even Oil Companies Missed Part of the Recent Gush

  Believe it or not, there are still opportunities for your clients in oil.

• Worthy Successors

  There are two kinds of succession planning—and, often, two different successors.

• Narrow Target

  Ann Coffey specializes in concentrated positions to court the high net worth.

• Garden State Growth

  New Jersey reps prosper despite a challenging market.

• 5 Questions with Belinda Block

  UBS Wealth Management's head of coaching discusses aspects of her sessions and the benefits to advisors.

• Wide-Angle Lens

  Affluent clients want their financial advisors to focus on more than just investments.

• Viewpoint: from Your iPod, a Message on Internet Access

  As the population that prefers the face-to-face model approaches retirement, and fewer and fewer walk into bank branches, the scramble gets worse.

• Not So Elementary

  Alpha, beta and correlation are now popular terms, but investors still need help understanding what they mean.

• Risky Business

  Wealthy clients may be underserved by their property and casualty insurance.

• Is the Boomer Market Opportunity Overblown?

  As baby boomers move into their sixties, banks' wealth management divisions have reason to be excited. But what if the oft-cited number of 78 millions boomers retiring in the next 25 years doesn't pan out?

• The Spoils of Marriage

  An upfront bonus that vests over time may not be considered a marital asset in a divorce settlement.

• House Calls

  Before you pitch your services to physicians, be sure you can meet their unique planning needs.

• B of A Finds Time's Right to Push Alternative Products

  Advisers will have to put more emphasis on alternative assets as the economic crisis continues, according to the head of Bank of America Corp.'s alternative investment arm.

• Wealthy Depositors Seek Options for Parking Cash

  As a start-up flush with capital, Allegiance Bank Texas in Houston has had little trouble attracting deposits of late.

• SEC, Department of Labor Join Forces

  The SEC chairman and and US Secretary of Labor have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to formalize and strengthen the cooperation and relationship between their two agencies.

• Morgan Stanley Adds Rep for Mexico

  Morgan Stanley has hired Juan Dibildox as an investment representative in its private wealth management office.

• Philam Offers New Retirement Savings Scheme

  Fund management firm Philam Asset Management Inc. (PAMI) is now offering investors a Personal Investment Program (PIP), aimed at offering investors an affordable savings plan for their future.

• Axa: Retirement Web Site Isn't Just About Sales

  Don't just retire. "Reengage, reinvigorate, redefine, rejuvenate." That's the inspirational message at MyRetirementShop.com, a Web site Axa Equitable Life Insurance Co. launched this month.

• Fund Execs Defend 401(k) Fees

  Excessive fees in some 401(k) plans are hurting the reputation of all 401(k) plans and shaking investor confidence.

• Morgan Grabs $8 Million Team

  Morgan Stanley has boosted its Latin American wealth management presence by luring an $8 million team from Citigroup.

• Social Security Debuts Retirement Benefits Estimator

  The Social Security Administration unveiled a new online calculator to help people plan for their retirement.

• State CPA Societies Offer Secure File Transfers

  Eight state CPA associations have signed deals with LeapFile, a company that provides secure file transfers, to offer some of its services to their members for free.

• Survey on Service Details Younger Crowd's Turnoffs

  Younger banking customers are likelier than older ones to defect over problems such as high fees or poor service.

• Hedge Fund Inflows Suffer Steep 2Q Slide

  Volatile financial markets forced hedge fund net inflows to their lowest level last quarter since the fourth quarter of 2005.

• What Wealthy Families Really Want

  Today, CPAs and chartered accountants are playing an increasingly important role among the circle of advisors to families of substantial wealth.

• More Charges to Come for Bear Stearns HF Managers

  The government's case against two former Bear Stearns hedge fund managers will thicken as prosecutors announced intentions to levy additional charges against the duo.

• Boomers Need Comforting, Reassurance Amid Market Turmoil

  A bear market is particularly bad for Baby Boomers approaching or in retirement, especially if this turns out to be an extended economic downturn.

• Ernst & Young Wins Hedge Fund Case

  Ernst & Young won a decision involving a defunct hedge fund after its liquidators sued the firm's Cayman Islands unit.

• New Pay Options, Old Criticism

  The weak economy is prompting consumers to use their credit cards for more of their regular expenses, opening a door for third-party companies that can process card payments on behalf of billers that do not accept them.

• Evergreen's CEO on His Multi-Boutique Legacy

  Before Dennis Ferro retires as CEO at Evergreen Investments, he wants to expand its alternative investment capabilities and its international distribution.

• Two Baltimore Firms Plan to Merge

  Brown Advisory and Alex. Brown Investment Management, two Baltimore investment firms, have announced that they will merge.

• A Higher Profile for All Varieties of Risk

  Small and large financial institutions are continuing to give high priority to risk-management improvement.

• A Baby Boomer Stampede May Prove Just a Trot

  As Baby Boomers move into their 60s, banks' wealth-management divisions have reason to be excited.

• You Gotta Have a Plan

  Creating retirement plans for small businesses and professional practices presents a big opportunity for planners.

• Petrozzo New CIO at Fidelity

  Daniel Petrozzo, formerly of Morgan Stanley, was named the new chief information officer at Fidelity Investments.

• Better Yields

  Planners can find several vehicles that produce more income, for today or tomorrow.

• Saving a Stretch

  A new IRS ruling sheds new light on stretching inherited IRAs, even when the client misses distributions.

• The Commodity Question

  Do commodities deserve a permanent place in clients' portfolios?

• Consumers Went Shopping in May

  The U.S. Commerce Department said personal consumption increased by 0.8% in May, the largest gain posted since November 2007.

• Retirees Need $85K for Healthcare: Fidelity

  Retirees may need more money than previously expected in order to cover all their health care costs.

• HFSB Names Borges New Chairman

  The Hedge Fund Standards Board, set up to monitor conformity to hedge funds best practice standards, has appointed Antonio Borges as its first permanent chairman.

• Stock, Bond Funds Net Nearly $35B in May

  Stock and bond mutual funds garnered $34.6 billion net inflows in May, with global-focused funds raking in the most.

• Hedge Funds Balance Secrecy, Transparency

  Hedge funds are notorious for being secretive, private investment pools, but the time has finally come for them to become more transparent.

• World Wealth Report: Investors Retrench, Grow More Conservative

  Cash became the investment of choice, with fixed income securities not far behind, as high-net-worth individuals reacted to turmoil in the financial markets.

• Annuities Remain Best Bet for Retirees

  Outside of a defined benefit plan, traditional life annuities issued by insurance companies are the best ways to reduce longevity risk for women.