Friday, January 29, 2010
Breakfast Briefing Advisor Edition: Compliance Basic Training, MSFT Earnings, Compliance Mistakes, iPad...
• Compliance basic training? Advisers could use it, say attorneys - investmentnews
• For Piedmont Investors, Paltry Payout Likely - online.wsj
• Insurance group: Texting bans don't work - Jan. 29, 2010 - money.cnn
• Microsoft Earnings: Microsoft Profit Rises 60%, Tops Analysts' Expectations - cnbc
• Five biggest compliance mistakes advisers make - investmentnews
• iPad: Will It Become a Must-Have Tool for the Capital Markets? - wallstreetandtech
• For Piedmont Investors, Paltry Payout Likely - online.wsj
• Insurance group: Texting bans don't work - Jan. 29, 2010 - money.cnn
• Microsoft Earnings: Microsoft Profit Rises 60%, Tops Analysts' Expectations - cnbc
• Five biggest compliance mistakes advisers make - investmentnews
• iPad: Will It Become a Must-Have Tool for the Capital Markets? - wallstreetandtech
Permalink posted by markw @ 5:25 AM 
Breakfast Briefing Econ Edition: Bernanke, Debt Ceiling, Tax Credits, Freddie Mac...
• Freddie Mac: Delinquencies Increase Sharply in December - calculatedriskblog
• It's Official: Democrats Succeed In Pushing New Debt Ceiling To $14.3 Trillion - zerohedge
• Obama plans $33 billion tax credit for jobs and wages - Jan. 28, 2010 - money.cnn
• Obama Housing Rescue Threatened by Foreclosures, Unemployment - businessweek
• The Stuff Conspiracy Theories Are Made Off - zerohedge
• Recourse: One of the Dangers of "Walking Away" - calculatedriskblog
• Fannie Mae: Delinquencies Increase Sharply in November - calculatedriskblog
• Grantham: Lessons Learned in the Decade - ritholtz
• Chart of the day: How the AIG bailout worked - creditwritedowns
• Sentiment and Liquidity Review - ritholtz
• Bernanke gets a second term running the Fed - Jan. 28, 2010 - money.cnn
• God Had Paulson's Back During The Crisis, Sarah Palin Got Too Close For Comfort - dealbreaker
• Secret Deals Involving No One; AIG Coverup Conspiracy Unravels - globaleconomicanalysis
• President Obama and the Courts - online.wsj
• Chicago Fed: Economic Activity Moved Lower in December - calculatedriskblog
• Perilous Practices of Public Pension Funds - seekingalpha
• Forbes' Favorite Billionaires - dealbreaker
• Uh, Where's My Recovery? (Durable Goods) - market-ticker.denninger.net
• It's All About Ben - zerohedge
• A quick note on the ZH story of Wells Fargo accounting shenanigans - zerohedge
• It's Official: Democrats Succeed In Pushing New Debt Ceiling To $14.3 Trillion - zerohedge
• Obama plans $33 billion tax credit for jobs and wages - Jan. 28, 2010 - money.cnn
• Obama Housing Rescue Threatened by Foreclosures, Unemployment - businessweek
• The Stuff Conspiracy Theories Are Made Off - zerohedge
• Recourse: One of the Dangers of "Walking Away" - calculatedriskblog
• Fannie Mae: Delinquencies Increase Sharply in November - calculatedriskblog
• Grantham: Lessons Learned in the Decade - ritholtz
• Chart of the day: How the AIG bailout worked - creditwritedowns
• Sentiment and Liquidity Review - ritholtz
• Bernanke gets a second term running the Fed - Jan. 28, 2010 - money.cnn
• God Had Paulson's Back During The Crisis, Sarah Palin Got Too Close For Comfort - dealbreaker
• Secret Deals Involving No One; AIG Coverup Conspiracy Unravels - globaleconomicanalysis
• President Obama and the Courts - online.wsj
• Chicago Fed: Economic Activity Moved Lower in December - calculatedriskblog
• Perilous Practices of Public Pension Funds - seekingalpha
• Forbes' Favorite Billionaires - dealbreaker
• Uh, Where's My Recovery? (Durable Goods) - market-ticker.denninger.net
• It's All About Ben - zerohedge
• A quick note on the ZH story of Wells Fargo accounting shenanigans - zerohedge
Permalink posted by markw @ 5:15 AM
Breakfast Briefing International Edition: Greek CDS, Yen, Soros, Bank of Japan...
• Greek 5 yr CDS hits 420, let’s compare - ritholtz
• Currency-Stocks Correlation Is Back As Yen Is Preferred Funding Currency Once Again - zerohedge
• The 10 Most Important Things Said So Far In Davos - businessinsider
• Soros: When I See Bubbles, I Buy Them - businessinsider
• Bank Of Japan Pressured To Let Loose Even More Liquidity As Crushing Deflation Deepens - businessinsider
• What Does George Soros Really Think of Gold? - minyanville
• Roubini: A Greek Bailout Solves Nothing Since Spain Is The Real Time Bomb That Will Destroy The Euro - businessinsider
• Rumours, Rumours, and No Greek Bond Sales To China - creditwritedowns
• Davos: Lagarde on Euro Zone: No Way Out and No Bailout - cnbc
• EU Debt - Why Greece Is too Small to Fail - cnbc
• U.K. House Prices Up 1.2% In Jan: Nationwide - foxbusiness
• Baltic Dry Index falls below 3000 - ritholtz
• Rogoff: Global Economy to Crash if It Keeps Gorging on Debt - ritholtz
• Japan data mixed; deflationary pressure rises Economic Report - marketwatch
• Euro-Zone Inflation, Unemployment Rise - online.wsj
• Currency-Stocks Correlation Is Back As Yen Is Preferred Funding Currency Once Again - zerohedge
• The 10 Most Important Things Said So Far In Davos - businessinsider
• Soros: When I See Bubbles, I Buy Them - businessinsider
• Bank Of Japan Pressured To Let Loose Even More Liquidity As Crushing Deflation Deepens - businessinsider
• What Does George Soros Really Think of Gold? - minyanville
• Roubini: A Greek Bailout Solves Nothing Since Spain Is The Real Time Bomb That Will Destroy The Euro - businessinsider
• Rumours, Rumours, and No Greek Bond Sales To China - creditwritedowns
• Davos: Lagarde on Euro Zone: No Way Out and No Bailout - cnbc
• EU Debt - Why Greece Is too Small to Fail - cnbc
• U.K. House Prices Up 1.2% In Jan: Nationwide - foxbusiness
• Baltic Dry Index falls below 3000 - ritholtz
• Rogoff: Global Economy to Crash if It Keeps Gorging on Debt - ritholtz
• Japan data mixed; deflationary pressure rises Economic Report - marketwatch
• Euro-Zone Inflation, Unemployment Rise - online.wsj
Permalink posted by markw @ 5:14 AM
Obama Keeps Retirement Policy Crowd In Suspense
President Obama did not end up promoting annuities during the State of the Union address, but his administration seems to be preparing to support the income planning concept.
Administration officials raised the annuity industry's hopes about the address Monday, when they held a Middle Class Task Force meeting a release a fact sheet calling for the government to promote "the availability of annuities and other forms of guaranteed lifetime income, which transform savings into guaranteed future income."
The fact sheet drafters also proposed creating a new system of automatic individual retirement accounts for workers who do not have employer-sponsored retirement plans, and they recommended steps such as giving employers and plan participants more detailed, easier-to-understand information about 401(k) plan fees...
Life and Health News: Obama Keeps Retirement Policy Crowd In Suspense
Administration officials raised the annuity industry's hopes about the address Monday, when they held a Middle Class Task Force meeting a release a fact sheet calling for the government to promote "the availability of annuities and other forms of guaranteed lifetime income, which transform savings into guaranteed future income."
The fact sheet drafters also proposed creating a new system of automatic individual retirement accounts for workers who do not have employer-sponsored retirement plans, and they recommended steps such as giving employers and plan participants more detailed, easier-to-understand information about 401(k) plan fees...
Life and Health News: Obama Keeps Retirement Policy Crowd In Suspense
Permalink posted by markw @ 4:45 AM
Northwestern Mutual to pay $4.7 billion in dividends
While reducing investment risk in last year's uncertain economic environment, Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Co. said Thursday it was able to set aside its second-highest dividend payout ever and increase its total surplus.
The Milwaukee-based insurer said it will pay $4.7 billion in dividends to policy owners this year, which represents a dividend interest rate of 6.15% on unborrowed funds of most life insurance policies. While the total payout is up about $200 million, the dividend interest rate slipped from last year's 6.5%...
JSonline: Northwestern Mutual to pay $4.7 billion in dividends
The Milwaukee-based insurer said it will pay $4.7 billion in dividends to policy owners this year, which represents a dividend interest rate of 6.15% on unborrowed funds of most life insurance policies. While the total payout is up about $200 million, the dividend interest rate slipped from last year's 6.5%...
JSonline: Northwestern Mutual to pay $4.7 billion in dividends
Permalink posted by markw @ 4:43 AM
Thursday, January 28, 2010
One Fee to Bind Them
In 2009, broker-dealer Capital Analysts introduced a new flat-fee business model. So how's it going?
Last fall, Deena Katz, she of Texas Tech and Evensky & Katz, flagged me down at the FPA National Conference and said, "You have to talk to Matt Lynch. He's changing everything and no one really understands." Wow, I thought, who knew that a tweak to advisors' cost structure could change everything? How silly-of course it does. And of course there's more. Because what the pioneering new cost-structure at Lynch's firm, Cincinnati-based Capital Analysts Incorporated (CAI), does is empower advisors to do their best work.
In 2009, while the industry was in shock, CAI introduced a new flat fee program for its affiliated advisors called Wealth Manager Access: one fee, ranging from $40,000 to $120,000 per year, determined by the amount of assets and advisors in the practice. The basic fee covers three advisors, and additional desks cost $24,000 each. And that's it. Advisors can be reps, RIAs or dually registered. There are no extra charges for technology, marketing, compliance, licensing, E&O coverage. No quarreling over payouts or chargebacks. CAI eliminated fees for custodying IRAs, REITs and alternatives...
Financial Planning: One Fee to Bind Them
Last fall, Deena Katz, she of Texas Tech and Evensky & Katz, flagged me down at the FPA National Conference and said, "You have to talk to Matt Lynch. He's changing everything and no one really understands." Wow, I thought, who knew that a tweak to advisors' cost structure could change everything? How silly-of course it does. And of course there's more. Because what the pioneering new cost-structure at Lynch's firm, Cincinnati-based Capital Analysts Incorporated (CAI), does is empower advisors to do their best work.
In 2009, while the industry was in shock, CAI introduced a new flat fee program for its affiliated advisors called Wealth Manager Access: one fee, ranging from $40,000 to $120,000 per year, determined by the amount of assets and advisors in the practice. The basic fee covers three advisors, and additional desks cost $24,000 each. And that's it. Advisors can be reps, RIAs or dually registered. There are no extra charges for technology, marketing, compliance, licensing, E&O coverage. No quarreling over payouts or chargebacks. CAI eliminated fees for custodying IRAs, REITs and alternatives...
Financial Planning: One Fee to Bind Them
Permalink posted by markw @ 10:01 AM
Variable Annuities Are Down but Not Out
The pricey, complex insurance contracts essentially did their job-paying out a steady stream of income to clients regardless of the plunging markets-but the companies that backed them took a hit.
In response, last year they began to reduce the benefits offered and raise prices. Many have overhauled the structure of their contracts altogether. Some industry observers take a glass-is-half-full attitude and say that the market turmoil gave the industry a gift by forcing it to recognize that its wares were too complicated and pushed it to create simpler products. "Nobody thinks prices up and benefits down is a good thing," says Frank Zafran, director of annuity products at Morgan Stanley Smith Barney. "But the industry simplifying its product line is a good thing..."
OnWallStreet: Variable Annuities Are Down but Not Out
In response, last year they began to reduce the benefits offered and raise prices. Many have overhauled the structure of their contracts altogether. Some industry observers take a glass-is-half-full attitude and say that the market turmoil gave the industry a gift by forcing it to recognize that its wares were too complicated and pushed it to create simpler products. "Nobody thinks prices up and benefits down is a good thing," says Frank Zafran, director of annuity products at Morgan Stanley Smith Barney. "But the industry simplifying its product line is a good thing..."
OnWallStreet: Variable Annuities Are Down but Not Out
Permalink posted by markw @ 7:16 AM
Tim Geithner’s Prepared Testimony
...The decision to rescue AIG was exceptionally difficult and enormously consequential. At that time, our economy stood at the brink. The financial institutions that Americans rely on to protect their savings, help finance their children’s education, and help pay their bills were at risk in ways few had ever experienced. The institutions and markets that businesses rely on to make payroll, build inventories, fund new investments, and create new jobs were threatened like at no time since the Great Depression. Across the country, people were rapidly losing confidence in our financial system and in the government’s ability to safeguard their economic future. Action was required. The world was watching. And the government did not have the luxury of time...
WSJ: Tim Geithner’s Prepared Testimony
WSJ: Tim Geithner’s Prepared Testimony
Permalink posted by markw @ 5:43 AM
Breakfast Briefing Advisor Edition: 10 things every adviser should know about social media
• Social media: 10 things every adviser should know - investmentnews
• 7 Functional Features You Need on Your Business Website - businesspundit
• 7 reasons why wirehouses shouldn't milk the old business model: RIAbiz
• Financial Planning Coalition accepts reality on regulatory reform: investmentnews
• Two financial planning groups launch online search tools: investmentnews
• 7 Functional Features You Need on Your Business Website - businesspundit
• 7 reasons why wirehouses shouldn't milk the old business model: RIAbiz
• Financial Planning Coalition accepts reality on regulatory reform: investmentnews
• Two financial planning groups launch online search tools: investmentnews
Permalink posted by markw @ 5:38 AM
Breakfast Briefing Econ Edition: California NODs, Jobless Rates, AIG Hearing Highlights
• DataQuick on California: Record Notices of Default filed in 2009 - calculatedriskblog
• Paulson: 25% unemployment rate without AIG bailout - marketwatch
• Jobs and Jobless Rates: Private vs. Government - mjperry
• Ring of Fire - ritholtz
• Unemployment Rate and Presidential Disapproval - calculatedriskblog
• One-month Treasury Bill Rates turn Negative - calculatedriskblog
• Treasury Secretary Geithner defends Fed actions on AIG bailout - investmentnews
• The World According to Suze - minyanville
• Breaking: Darrell Issa asks for a subpoena in AIG bailout cover-up - creditwritedowns
• How Many Quants Does It Take to Screw in a Lightbulb? - ritholtz
• Why a Storage Unit is the Gateway Drug to Financial Ruin - Fiscal Geek
• Live-Blogging The Geithner Grilling - dealbreaker
• Highlights Of The AIG Hearing - forbes
• Paulson: 25% unemployment rate without AIG bailout - marketwatch
• Jobs and Jobless Rates: Private vs. Government - mjperry
• Ring of Fire - ritholtz
• Unemployment Rate and Presidential Disapproval - calculatedriskblog
• One-month Treasury Bill Rates turn Negative - calculatedriskblog
• Treasury Secretary Geithner defends Fed actions on AIG bailout - investmentnews
• The World According to Suze - minyanville
• Breaking: Darrell Issa asks for a subpoena in AIG bailout cover-up - creditwritedowns
• How Many Quants Does It Take to Screw in a Lightbulb? - ritholtz
• Why a Storage Unit is the Gateway Drug to Financial Ruin - Fiscal Geek
• Live-Blogging The Geithner Grilling - dealbreaker
• Highlights Of The AIG Hearing - forbes
Permalink posted by markw @ 5:36 AM
Breakfast Briefing International Edition: Euro drops to 6 Month Low, GM Hammers Toyota, Davos and Haiti
• Toyota Recall: Unprecedented Recall Hammers Toyota and Partners - cnbc
• Euro Drops To 6 Month Low - zerohedge
• China's banking regulator urges restraint - marketwatch
• Fear And Loathing In Davos - dealbreaker
• Executives at Davos urged to invest in Haiti - businessweek
• Construction in China's Ghost Towns - creditwritedowns
• Euro Drops To 6 Month Low - zerohedge
• China's banking regulator urges restraint - marketwatch
• Fear And Loathing In Davos - dealbreaker
• Executives at Davos urged to invest in Haiti - businessweek
• Construction in China's Ghost Towns - creditwritedowns
Permalink posted by markw @ 5:35 AM
Celent Assesses Admin Systems
“Despite the turmoil in financial services generally and among life/annuity insurers in particular, there is still keen interest in renewing and/or replacing policy administration systems,” the report, authored by Craig Weber, SVP of Celent’s Insurance Group, Senior Analyst Jeff Goldberg and Analyst Arin Ray, states. “We believe that these initiatives are necessary to help the industry address service and distribution imperatives.”
Weber says carriers have increasingly capable options from which to choose when selecting a policy administration system... "Since Celent's 2007 report on the subject, all vendors have made considerable progress in modernizing their technology and in increasing product functionality over the past two years," he says. "For example, every vendor we looked at now supports Web services as an integration method, and virtually every user interface includes major elements which are Web-based."
This report was compiled using Celent’s ABCD Vendor View, which grades systems four elements: Advanced technology and technical flexibility, Breadth of functionality, Customer base, and Depth of client services and solutions.
INN: Celent Assesses Admin Systems
Permalink posted by markw @ 4:47 AM
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
Lunch Linkage: Goldman to leave Fidelity, Oregon's death spiral, New Home Sales
• Charles Goldman to leave Fidelity - investmentnews
• Oregon's Death Spiral; Business Owners Say "I'm moving out" - globaleconomicanalysis
• New Home Sales Decline Sharply in December - calculatedriskblog
• Ohio Spends $1 Million Of Stimulus Money To Tell You It's Spending Stimulus Money - consumerist
• Obama to Give 13 Areas $8 Billion for High-Speed Rail - bloomberg
• Is it Time for a 3rd Party? - ritholtz
• More on New Home Sales and the FOMC Statement - calculatedriskblog
• New Bastion Development Poised to Profit From Real Estate Opportunities in Northwest Florida - money.cnn
• Existing Home Inventory: A long way from Normal - calculatedriskblog
• Supreme Corp on TDS - ritholtz
• Credit card penalty rates can top 30 percent; how to avoid them - foxbusiness
• Suspending Money Market Redemptions Is Now Legel - zerohedge
• Our new world economic order and other things - ritholtz
• Roubini, other Davos economists, see slow growth - marketwatch
• Constitutional Convention Updated - creditwritedowns
• Geithner Says AIG Investments May Increase in Value - cnbc
• Geithner, NY Fed Defend Actions on AIG Payments - cnbc
• North, South Korea Exchange Shots - online.wsj
• Three Decades of S&P 500 Sector Performance - econompicdata
• Roubini: Break Up The Banks - dealbreaker
• Oregon's Death Spiral; Business Owners Say "I'm moving out" - globaleconomicanalysis
• New Home Sales Decline Sharply in December - calculatedriskblog
• Ohio Spends $1 Million Of Stimulus Money To Tell You It's Spending Stimulus Money - consumerist
• Obama to Give 13 Areas $8 Billion for High-Speed Rail - bloomberg
• Is it Time for a 3rd Party? - ritholtz
• More on New Home Sales and the FOMC Statement - calculatedriskblog
• New Bastion Development Poised to Profit From Real Estate Opportunities in Northwest Florida - money.cnn
• Existing Home Inventory: A long way from Normal - calculatedriskblog
• Supreme Corp on TDS - ritholtz
• Credit card penalty rates can top 30 percent; how to avoid them - foxbusiness
• Suspending Money Market Redemptions Is Now Legel - zerohedge
• Our new world economic order and other things - ritholtz
• Roubini, other Davos economists, see slow growth - marketwatch
• Constitutional Convention Updated - creditwritedowns
• Geithner Says AIG Investments May Increase in Value - cnbc
• Geithner, NY Fed Defend Actions on AIG Payments - cnbc
• North, South Korea Exchange Shots - online.wsj
• Three Decades of S&P 500 Sector Performance - econompicdata
• Roubini: Break Up The Banks - dealbreaker
Permalink posted by markw @ 11:39 AM
Obama To Highlight Annuities
The Obama administration will promote use of annuities to generate retirement income when it releases proposals for helping stressed middle-income families... The administration’s plans include a proposal to encourage the use of annuities and similar products to transform savings into guaranteed future income, thereby reducing the chance of retirees’ outliving their savings or seeing nest eggs worn down by inflation or investment losses...
National Underwriter: Obama To Highlight Annuities
National Underwriter: Obama To Highlight Annuities
Permalink posted by markw @ 7:07 AM
Breakfast Briefing Advisor Edition: Use of Temp Workers... SEC charges two with improper short selling... Soc Gen...
• Use of temp workers invites exposures - investmentnews
• SEC charges two California advisory firms with improper short selling - investmentnews
• BlackRock-AIG Presentation... Soc Gen Had Pledged Sub-50 Cent Securities To The Fed's Discount Window - zerohedge
• Foreclosures, Auctions, and Banks Obscuring Financial Data - doctorhousingbubble
• What's A "Bloomberg Minute"? - dealbreaker
• Adviser Community - investmentnews
• Will the Fed Nudge Interest Rates? - smartmoney
• Hiring a Financial Planner to Manage Your Money - tipd
• SEC charges two California advisory firms with improper short selling - investmentnews
• BlackRock-AIG Presentation... Soc Gen Had Pledged Sub-50 Cent Securities To The Fed's Discount Window - zerohedge
• Foreclosures, Auctions, and Banks Obscuring Financial Data - doctorhousingbubble
• What's A "Bloomberg Minute"? - dealbreaker
• Adviser Community - investmentnews
• Will the Fed Nudge Interest Rates? - smartmoney
• Hiring a Financial Planner to Manage Your Money - tipd
Permalink posted by markw @ 5:03 AM
Breakfast Briefing Econ Edition: Stimulus Tracker... Preposterous "Partial Spending Freeze"... AIG: Collusion Of Epic Proportions...
• The Stimulus Tracker on CNNMoney.com - money.cnn
• Darrell Issa's Special Report On AIG Could Be The End Of Geithner - zerohedge
• Obama's Preposterous "Partial Spending Freeze"; Lessons of 1937 - globaleconomicanalysis
• AIG: Collusion Of Epic Proportions Between Goldman's US Treasury Branch And Goldman Sachs Proper - zerohedge
• New York Fed: We Prevented The End Of The World - zerohedge
• U.S. Economy: Home Prices, Confidence Climb Further From Abyss - businessweek
• Case Shiller House Price Seasonal Adjustment - calculatedriskblog
• Map of Healthy and Ailing Markets - ritholtz
• Bill Gross and the deficit ring of fire - creditwritedowns
• S&P500 Sector Trivia - ritholtz
• Trader Commentary On Cause Of Sudden Financial Weakness - zerohedge
• Why is National Security Being Invoked to Keep Basic Financial Information Secret? - zerohedge
• Questions Geithner Cannot Escape - globaleconomicanalysis
• Berkshire Hathaway Shares Soar As Warren Buffett Joins the S&P 500 - cnbc
• NY Times: AIG Hearing Preview - calculatedriskblog
• Boost for Obama's foreclosure prevention program - Jan. 26, 2010 - money.cnn
• Deficit and Spending Increase Under Obama - online.wsj
• Obama to focus on Jobs in State of Union Address - online.wsj
• FDIC Friday Lotto: Another Reason Why Banks Are Not Lending - globaleconomicanalysis
• Darrell Issa's Special Report On AIG Could Be The End Of Geithner - zerohedge
• Obama's Preposterous "Partial Spending Freeze"; Lessons of 1937 - globaleconomicanalysis
• AIG: Collusion Of Epic Proportions Between Goldman's US Treasury Branch And Goldman Sachs Proper - zerohedge
• New York Fed: We Prevented The End Of The World - zerohedge
• U.S. Economy: Home Prices, Confidence Climb Further From Abyss - businessweek
• Case Shiller House Price Seasonal Adjustment - calculatedriskblog
• Map of Healthy and Ailing Markets - ritholtz
• Bill Gross and the deficit ring of fire - creditwritedowns
• S&P500 Sector Trivia - ritholtz
• Trader Commentary On Cause Of Sudden Financial Weakness - zerohedge
• Why is National Security Being Invoked to Keep Basic Financial Information Secret? - zerohedge
• Questions Geithner Cannot Escape - globaleconomicanalysis
• Berkshire Hathaway Shares Soar As Warren Buffett Joins the S&P 500 - cnbc
• NY Times: AIG Hearing Preview - calculatedriskblog
• Boost for Obama's foreclosure prevention program - Jan. 26, 2010 - money.cnn
• Deficit and Spending Increase Under Obama - online.wsj
• Obama to focus on Jobs in State of Union Address - online.wsj
• FDIC Friday Lotto: Another Reason Why Banks Are Not Lending - globaleconomicanalysis
Permalink posted by markw @ 5:02 AM
Breakfast Briefing International Edition: Roubini At Davos: Greece Is Obviously Bankrupt... German Economy Seen Growing... Oil Prices and China...
• Roubini At Davos: Greece Is Obviously Bankrupt - businessinsider
• China Regulator: Banks Should Reasonably Control New Loans - foxbusiness
• Officials say stimulus bill to cost $75B more - finance.yahoo
• German Economy Seen Growing At 1.4% In 2010 - foxbusiness
• Oil Prices and China - calculatedriskblog
• China Regulator: Banks Should Reasonably Control New Loans - foxbusiness
• Officials say stimulus bill to cost $75B more - finance.yahoo
• German Economy Seen Growing At 1.4% In 2010 - foxbusiness
• Oil Prices and China - calculatedriskblog
Permalink posted by markw @ 4:57 AM
Applet Tablet Headlines: How Much Should You Pay? Rewriting Rules of Book Publishing; An Opportunity for Advertisers; iSlate?
• Apple's Tablet Promises to Rewrite Rules of Book Publishing - online.wsj
• CHART OF THE DAY: Apple, The iPhone Company - businessinsider
• Apple Tablet Is Latest Attempt by Steve Jobs to 'Shock and Awe' - businessweek
• Apple's Tablet: Shockwave for Stocks - smartmoney
• 10 Ways The Apple Tablet Will Change Your Life Forever - businessinsider
• AT&T Will Improve Network for IPhone, Apple Says - businessweek
• Heard on the Street: IPhone at the Core of Apple - online.wsj
• Apple's Tablet: A Big Opportunity For Advertisers - forbes
• Futures Mixed Ahead of Earnings, Apple Product Announcement - foxbusiness
• What is the maximum price you would pay for an Apple Tablet? - FiLife.com - filife
• CHART OF THE DAY: Apple, The iPhone Company - businessinsider
• Apple Tablet Is Latest Attempt by Steve Jobs to 'Shock and Awe' - businessweek
• Apple's Tablet: Shockwave for Stocks - smartmoney
• 10 Ways The Apple Tablet Will Change Your Life Forever - businessinsider
• AT&T Will Improve Network for IPhone, Apple Says - businessweek
• Heard on the Street: IPhone at the Core of Apple - online.wsj
• Apple's Tablet: A Big Opportunity For Advertisers - forbes
• Futures Mixed Ahead of Earnings, Apple Product Announcement - foxbusiness
• What is the maximum price you would pay for an Apple Tablet? - FiLife.com - filife
Permalink posted by markw @ 4:38 AM
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
Lunch Linkage: New benchmarks for retirement income management, Where the AIG Billions Went, Oil to $40?
• New benchmarks for retirement income management - investmentnews
• An Insider's View of the Real Estate Train Wreck - ritholtz
• America Increasingly Looks Like A Developing Nation As 30% Of Americans Approach Or Are In Poverty - businessinsider
• Irish Startup Raises $230,000 Using Only LinkedIn - businessinsider
• Obama looks to ramp up retirement savings programs - investmentnews
• 10 Things Retailers Won't Tell You - smartmoney
• optionsXpress Appoints Kirk Chartier as Chief Marketing Officer - money.cnn
• 15 years on: the Cantona Kung-Fu kick seen round the world - creditwritedowns
• IMF Adjusts GDP Expectations, Boosts US 2010 GDP Expectations, Reduces 2011 Projections - zerohedge
• Oil Could Sink to $40 on Stronger Supply: Economist - cnbc
• November Case-Shiller (Seasonally Unadjusted) Index Down -0.2% From October, Down -5.3% YoY - zerohedge
• N.Y. Fed Investigated by Treasury's Barofsky Over AIG Bailout - businessweek
• Hershey Added To Conviction Sell List At Goldman - foxbusiness
• Someone Still Buying Rounds For Lenny Dykstra - dealbreaker
• AIG Investigator: Where the Billions Went - cnbc
• An Insider's View of the Real Estate Train Wreck - ritholtz
• America Increasingly Looks Like A Developing Nation As 30% Of Americans Approach Or Are In Poverty - businessinsider
• Irish Startup Raises $230,000 Using Only LinkedIn - businessinsider
• Obama looks to ramp up retirement savings programs - investmentnews
• 10 Things Retailers Won't Tell You - smartmoney
• optionsXpress Appoints Kirk Chartier as Chief Marketing Officer - money.cnn
• 15 years on: the Cantona Kung-Fu kick seen round the world - creditwritedowns
• IMF Adjusts GDP Expectations, Boosts US 2010 GDP Expectations, Reduces 2011 Projections - zerohedge
• Oil Could Sink to $40 on Stronger Supply: Economist - cnbc
• November Case-Shiller (Seasonally Unadjusted) Index Down -0.2% From October, Down -5.3% YoY - zerohedge
• N.Y. Fed Investigated by Treasury's Barofsky Over AIG Bailout - businessweek
• Hershey Added To Conviction Sell List At Goldman - foxbusiness
• Someone Still Buying Rounds For Lenny Dykstra - dealbreaker
• AIG Investigator: Where the Billions Went - cnbc
Permalink posted by markw @ 9:55 AM
Downgrade Risk at 15-Month Low, Greece Sells
The rise in corporate bond yields eased as Greece raised $11.3 billion and Standard & Poor’s said the number of companies and governments at risk of credit-rating downgrades fell to the lowest in 15 months.
Greece’s ministry of finance said it received 25 billion euros ($35 billion) of orders for 8 billion of five-year notes sold late yesterday in Athens. Adobe Systems Inc. raised $1.5 billion in its first bond offering at narrower yield spreads than initially expected. Vietnam sold $1 billion of 10-year notes yielding 6.95 percent, the low end of its proposed range. S&P said the number of global issuers poised for lower ratings fell to 804 this month from 824 in December and 936 a year ago...
Bloomberg: Downgrade Risk at 15-Month Low, Greece Sells
Greece’s ministry of finance said it received 25 billion euros ($35 billion) of orders for 8 billion of five-year notes sold late yesterday in Athens. Adobe Systems Inc. raised $1.5 billion in its first bond offering at narrower yield spreads than initially expected. Vietnam sold $1 billion of 10-year notes yielding 6.95 percent, the low end of its proposed range. S&P said the number of global issuers poised for lower ratings fell to 804 this month from 824 in December and 936 a year ago...
Bloomberg: Downgrade Risk at 15-Month Low, Greece Sells
Permalink posted by markw @ 8:02 AM
Breakfast Briefing Econ Edition: States and the Death Tax, Government Spending and Debt, a National Security Exemption for AIG?
• Figures on government spending and debt - finance.yahoo
• Control of Stuy Town Takes Center Stage - online.wsj
• CRE and Moral and Social Constraints to Strategic Defaults - calculatedriskblog
• Home prices decline for 1st time in 7 months - Jan. 26, 2010 - money.cnn
• National Security Exemption for AIG ?!? - ritholtz
• Virginia, other states target death-tax lapse - investmentnews
• Growing Movement To Disband Police Departments - globaleconomicanalysis
• Cavuto: This is About to Get Ugly - foxbusiness
• The Latest On Bernanke: Obama Now Directly Calling Senators To Generate Favorable Votes - zerohedge
• Schwarzenegger's Puts Unions In The Cross-Hairs - globaleconomicanalysis
• U.S. Opens Probe Into AIG's Payout to Partners - online.wsj
• Case Shiller House Prices Increase Slightly in November - calculatedriskblog
• Asset Bubbles - ECB Official Warns of Emerging Assets Bubbles - cnbc
• Stop the Presses! Deep Thoughts From Jeremy Grantham - zerohedge
• Triangulating on deficit reduction, 2010 version - creditwritedowns
• Control of Stuy Town Takes Center Stage - online.wsj
• CRE and Moral and Social Constraints to Strategic Defaults - calculatedriskblog
• Home prices decline for 1st time in 7 months - Jan. 26, 2010 - money.cnn
• National Security Exemption for AIG ?!? - ritholtz
• Virginia, other states target death-tax lapse - investmentnews
• Growing Movement To Disband Police Departments - globaleconomicanalysis
• Cavuto: This is About to Get Ugly - foxbusiness
• The Latest On Bernanke: Obama Now Directly Calling Senators To Generate Favorable Votes - zerohedge
• Schwarzenegger's Puts Unions In The Cross-Hairs - globaleconomicanalysis
• U.S. Opens Probe Into AIG's Payout to Partners - online.wsj
• Case Shiller House Prices Increase Slightly in November - calculatedriskblog
• Asset Bubbles - ECB Official Warns of Emerging Assets Bubbles - cnbc
• Stop the Presses! Deep Thoughts From Jeremy Grantham - zerohedge
• Triangulating on deficit reduction, 2010 version - creditwritedowns
Permalink posted by markw @ 7:45 AM
Monday, January 25, 2010
Lunch Linkage: Stuyvesant Town turned over to Creditors,,, Goldman's Conern Over The Economy Is Growing,,, Apple Tablet Pricing...
• Existing home sales sink on slated tax credit expiration - Jan. 25, 2010 - money.cnn
• Stuyvesant Town turned over to Creditors - calculatedriskblog
• Owners: $5.4B NY housing complexes go to creditors - finance.yahoo
• Where does stimulus money come from? - Jan. 25, 2010 - money.cnn
• Bill To Tax Corporate Political Contributions At 500% Introduced - consumerist
• Goldman's Conern Over The Economy Is Growing - zerohedge
• The Greatest Risks They Ever Took - forbes
• China Economy - Jim Chanos: China's Real Estate Bubble Is Unprecedented - cnbc
• Fannie and Freddie Are Dead. What's Next? (FNM) - fool
• Apple Tablet 'Isn't Going To Cost Anywhere Near $1,000' - businessinsider
• Plainfield: The smoldering hedge fund - Jan. 25, 2010 - money.cnn
• What's Contributing to Market Volatility? - ritholtz
• Bernanke Gains More Support In Senate for Second Term - cnbc
• Cash Strapped Illinois Accelerates Property Tax Collections - globaleconomicanalysis
• 10 Year Treasury Update From Nic Lenoir - zerohedge
• Stuyvesant Town turned over to Creditors - calculatedriskblog
• Owners: $5.4B NY housing complexes go to creditors - finance.yahoo
• Where does stimulus money come from? - Jan. 25, 2010 - money.cnn
• Bill To Tax Corporate Political Contributions At 500% Introduced - consumerist
• Goldman's Conern Over The Economy Is Growing - zerohedge
• The Greatest Risks They Ever Took - forbes
• China Economy - Jim Chanos: China's Real Estate Bubble Is Unprecedented - cnbc
• Fannie and Freddie Are Dead. What's Next? (FNM) - fool
• Apple Tablet 'Isn't Going To Cost Anywhere Near $1,000' - businessinsider
• Plainfield: The smoldering hedge fund - Jan. 25, 2010 - money.cnn
• What's Contributing to Market Volatility? - ritholtz
• Bernanke Gains More Support In Senate for Second Term - cnbc
• Cash Strapped Illinois Accelerates Property Tax Collections - globaleconomicanalysis
• 10 Year Treasury Update From Nic Lenoir - zerohedge
Permalink posted by markw @ 11:14 AM
Time to Review Your Life Insurance
When was the last time you looked at your life insurance coverage? Why not do it now? Now is as good a time as any. It’s time to awaken Americans to the need for life insurance, and its remarkable utility as an estate planning and tax-saving tool.
What? You don’t have insurance? You’re not alone. According to LIFE, 68 million adult Americans have no life insurance coverage. (That means about 30% of us.) In September 2008, a LIFE poll found that 27% of adult Americans would be willing to cancel their life insurance coverage to save money in hard times...
Consumer Boomer: Time to Review Your Life Insurance
What? You don’t have insurance? You’re not alone. According to LIFE, 68 million adult Americans have no life insurance coverage. (That means about 30% of us.) In September 2008, a LIFE poll found that 27% of adult Americans would be willing to cancel their life insurance coverage to save money in hard times...
Consumer Boomer: Time to Review Your Life Insurance
Permalink posted by markw @ 5:31 AM
Financial Planning: Smart steps to help recent widows
Women who have recently lost a spouse may confront many changes in their daily lives and need financial support and advice... Financial planning at this stage involves both a person's emotional and financial states. Many widows are pushed by well-meaning friends and relatives to make decisions that can turn out to be unwise, so financial advisers need to understand how to counsel them...
Investment News: Smart steps to help recent widows
Investment News: Smart steps to help recent widows
Permalink posted by markw @ 5:29 AM
Banks' annuity fee income rose, FA sales fell in "09 3Q
Fee income from annuity sales climbed at bank holding companies during the first three quarters of 2009, but sales of fixed annuities in the bank channel slipped, according to two separate studies released last week.
Fee income from the sale of fixed and variable annuities rose to $2 billion through the first nine months of 2009, a gain of 2.5% from the comparable period in 2009. Commissions from the sale of those annuities also leapt in the third quarter, rising to $669.8 million and reflecting a gain of 4% from the year-ago period...
Investment News: Banks' annuity fee income rose, FA sales fell in "09 3Q
Fee income from the sale of fixed and variable annuities rose to $2 billion through the first nine months of 2009, a gain of 2.5% from the comparable period in 2009. Commissions from the sale of those annuities also leapt in the third quarter, rising to $669.8 million and reflecting a gain of 4% from the year-ago period...
Investment News: Banks' annuity fee income rose, FA sales fell in "09 3Q
Permalink posted by markw @ 5:23 AM
Breakfast Briefing Econ Edition: Bernanke support gains momentum, Peak autos, Stock futures way up...
• With Reconfirmation Vote Imminent, Support for Bernanke Gains Momentum - online.wsj
• Democrats Seek to Skirt Court Ruling on Political Spending - online.wsj
• Peak Autos: America's Love Affair with the Automobile May Be Coming to an End - globaleconomicanalysis
• The Death of Capitalism - zerohedge
• More Fun With (Quietly Revised) Numbers - ritholtz
• Why Paul Volcker is (once again) The Man - ritholtz
• Guest Post: Bernanke Nomination By The Numbers And What Saves Him - zerohedge
• ARC loans: An emergency small business boost that fizzled - Jan. 24, 2010 - money.cnn
• Gas prices drop slightly in last 2 weeks - survey - Jan. 25, 2010 - money.cnn
• How Long Should You Ride This Rally? - fool
• US Q4 GDP: Revival in US Eonomic Growth Unlikely to Budge the Fed - cnbc
• More on Q4 GDP Forecasts - calculatedriskblog
• 'Quants' The Math Whizzes Behind the Crisis - ritholtz
• Financial Crisis - FDIC Mulls Securitizing Banks' Troubled Assets: Report - cnbc
• Good Question: Why Can't IRS Fill in the Blanks? - mjperry
• What Will this Week's Housing Data Suggest? - ritholtz
• Embattled Bernanke Edges Closer to a Second Term - cnbc
• Dollar slips ahead of central bank meetings Currencies - marketwatch
• Platinum Overtaking Gold as Metal of Choice on Autos - businessweek
• Stock futures way up, signal an end to market tumble - investmentnews
• Democrats Seek to Skirt Court Ruling on Political Spending - online.wsj
• Peak Autos: America's Love Affair with the Automobile May Be Coming to an End - globaleconomicanalysis
• The Death of Capitalism - zerohedge
• More Fun With (Quietly Revised) Numbers - ritholtz
• Why Paul Volcker is (once again) The Man - ritholtz
• Guest Post: Bernanke Nomination By The Numbers And What Saves Him - zerohedge
• ARC loans: An emergency small business boost that fizzled - Jan. 24, 2010 - money.cnn
• Gas prices drop slightly in last 2 weeks - survey - Jan. 25, 2010 - money.cnn
• How Long Should You Ride This Rally? - fool
• US Q4 GDP: Revival in US Eonomic Growth Unlikely to Budge the Fed - cnbc
• More on Q4 GDP Forecasts - calculatedriskblog
• 'Quants' The Math Whizzes Behind the Crisis - ritholtz
• Financial Crisis - FDIC Mulls Securitizing Banks' Troubled Assets: Report - cnbc
• Good Question: Why Can't IRS Fill in the Blanks? - mjperry
• What Will this Week's Housing Data Suggest? - ritholtz
• Embattled Bernanke Edges Closer to a Second Term - cnbc
• Dollar slips ahead of central bank meetings Currencies - marketwatch
• Platinum Overtaking Gold as Metal of Choice on Autos - businessweek
• Stock futures way up, signal an end to market tumble - investmentnews
Permalink posted by markw @ 5:19 AM
Breakfast Briefing International Edition: China steps up Internet feud, Avatar nears world box-office record...
• China steps up Internet feud, accusing U.S. of using Web to stir unrest in Iran - online.wsj
• BNP Paribas Real Estate Gets 3-Yr IBM Property Pact - Source - online.wsj
• Crovitz: Google, China and the Shores of Tripoli - online.wsj
• Suicides Inside France Telecom Prompting Sarkozy Stress Testing - businessweek
• Ferrero rules out bid for Cadbury - marketwatch
• 'Avatar' closer to world box-office record - marketwatch
• Cheung Kong Wins Bid For Property Project In Kowloon - foxbusiness
• China Economy to Grow 9.5% in 2010: State Economist - cnbc
• In Canada, Unequal Access to Cancer Drugs Creates A 'Postal-Code Lottery' to Get Treatment - mjperry
• Asian Stocks Fall for Sixth Day on Bank Capital, Profit Concern - businessweek
• European shares down for fourth day in a row - marketwatch
• China State-Run Paper Says Clinton Internet Speech Hypocritical - foxbusiness
• Gold Gains in London on Speculation Dollar Will Stoke Demand - bloomberg
• Iraq seals oil deal with Exxon Mobil, Shell group - finance.yahoo
• Chinese Entrepreneurs Will Set Examples At The Shanghai World Expo - forbes
Permalink posted by markw @ 5:18 AM
The Chess Game of Financial Regulation
The financial crisis that began in the sub-prime mortgage market is at least the third major financial crisis to include a breakdown in the United States housing finance sector. During the Great Depression, banks and balloon mortgages were involved in a collapse. In the 1980's, we experienced the Savings and Loan Crisis. Currently, we are dealing with the aftermath of a boom-bust cycle in house prices that was exacerbated by risky lending practices.
A sobering fact is that the response to each of the first two crises helped to lay the groundwork for the next – and current -- crisis. It turns out that financial regulation is not like a math problem, which can be solved once and stays solved. Instead, financial regulation is like a chess game, in which moves and counter-moves proceed continually, eventually changing the board in ways that players have not anticipated...
FinReg21: The Chess Game of Financial Regulation
A sobering fact is that the response to each of the first two crises helped to lay the groundwork for the next – and current -- crisis. It turns out that financial regulation is not like a math problem, which can be solved once and stays solved. Instead, financial regulation is like a chess game, in which moves and counter-moves proceed continually, eventually changing the board in ways that players have not anticipated...
FinReg21: The Chess Game of Financial Regulation
Permalink posted by markw @ 4:45 AM
Friday, January 22, 2010
Lunch Linkage: Unemployment rises in 43 states, Venture diet is working, Risk is back...
• Unemployment Rate Increased in 43 States in December - calculatedriskblog
• Dec. Leading Economic Index Hits Record High; First Time Since 2004 of 9 Consecutive Increases - mjperry
• The Venture Diet Is Working - businessinsider
• ABC News: Senate leadership uncertain if enough votes to re-confirm Bernanke - calculatedriskblog
• Corporate bond yields demonstrate that risk is back - creditwritedowns
• Rep. Frank Calls for Abolishing Fannie and Freddie - foxbusiness
• They Brought it Upon Themselves - ritholtz
• Hotel RevPAR off 16.7% in 2009 - calculatedriskblog
• Small business owners brace for another rough year - Jan. 22, 2010 - money.cnn
• Deficit terrorism could kill the Euro - creditwritedowns
• The mutual funds financial advisers can't get enough of - investmentnews
• Global Tactical Asset Allocation - Fixed Income - zerohedge
• Bank Curbs Likely to Spread To Other Countries: El-Erian - cnbc
• The Tide Has Turned: Barbara Boxer Joins Feingold And Many Others Opposing Bernanke - zerohedge
• Dec. Leading Economic Index Hits Record High; First Time Since 2004 of 9 Consecutive Increases - mjperry
• The Venture Diet Is Working - businessinsider
• ABC News: Senate leadership uncertain if enough votes to re-confirm Bernanke - calculatedriskblog
• Corporate bond yields demonstrate that risk is back - creditwritedowns
• Rep. Frank Calls for Abolishing Fannie and Freddie - foxbusiness
• They Brought it Upon Themselves - ritholtz
• Hotel RevPAR off 16.7% in 2009 - calculatedriskblog
• Small business owners brace for another rough year - Jan. 22, 2010 - money.cnn
• Deficit terrorism could kill the Euro - creditwritedowns
• The mutual funds financial advisers can't get enough of - investmentnews
• Global Tactical Asset Allocation - Fixed Income - zerohedge
• Bank Curbs Likely to Spread To Other Countries: El-Erian - cnbc
• The Tide Has Turned: Barbara Boxer Joins Feingold And Many Others Opposing Bernanke - zerohedge
Permalink posted by markw @ 10:26 AM
Breakfast Briefing Advisor Edition: Start Speaking Plain English... Bank Overhaul Poses Threat to Stocks, Economy...
• Sallie Krawcheck's advice to financial advisers: Start speaking plain English - investmentnews
• Bank Overhaul Poses Threat to Stocks, Economy: Experts - cnbc
• Social Is the Next Search - seekingalpha
• Financial Armageddon: Spreading Far and Wide - financialarmageddon
• Bank Overhaul Poses Threat to Stocks, Economy: Experts - cnbc
• Social Is the Next Search - seekingalpha
• Financial Armageddon: Spreading Far and Wide - financialarmageddon
Permalink posted by markw @ 6:18 AM
Breakfast Briefing Econ Edition: Business Blunders of the Year... Jobless Claims Rise... Wealth Distribution in the U.S... Two Real Estate Bubbles...
• Initial jobless claims unexpectedly rise - finance.yahoo
• Is the recession dating committee preparing for a double dip? - creditwritedowns
• Wealth Distribution in the United States - businesspundit
• Meredith Corporation F2Q10 (Qtr End 12/31/09) Earnings Call Transcript - seekingalpha
• Big Banks Have Already Figured Out The Loophole In Obama's New Rules - businessinsider
• China and the U.S.: A Tale of Two Real Estate Bubbles - seekingalpha
• Banks Paying Property Taxes and more on Short Sale Fraud - calculatedriskblog
• Business Blunders of the Year - bnet
• GE profit falls, but beats Street - Jan. 22, 2010 - money.cnn
• Philly Fed Index Shows Expansion in January - calculatedriskblog
• Rents Fall to 3 1/2 Year Low in Orange County - calculatedriskblog
• More on Falling Apartment Rents and Rising Vacancy Rates - calculatedriskblog
• The Volcker Rule & AIG: It's Not About Prop Trading - zerohedge
• Loan modification? Good luck with that Realty Q&A - marketwatch
• Are 20.7 Billion Reasons Enough For Goldman To Continue Being A Bank Holding Company? - zerohedge
• Obama Proposes new Bank Rules on Size and Trading - calculatedriskblog
• Federal Reserve Balance Sheet Update: Week Of January 21 - $2.3 Trillion - Rolling Record Highs - zerohedge
• WSJ Jumps the Shark - ritholtz
• Barney Frank Backpedals On Why His Proposed Reform Was Thorougly Trampled By Obama - zerohedge
• Policy Pivot on Banks Followed Months of Wrangling - online.wsj
• Claims data, seasonal distortions but hiring still punk - ritholtz
• Goldman Sachs Appears To Have Been Quasi-Worried About Earnings Reactions - dealbreaker
• NBER Intrigue - ritholtz
• Senator Kaufman Endorses Prop Trading Ban, 99 Other Senators Have No Idea What Prop Trading Is - zerohedge
• On Incident Patterns Of Fed MBS Purchases And OpEx Expirations - zerohedge
• Is the recession dating committee preparing for a double dip? - creditwritedowns
• Wealth Distribution in the United States - businesspundit
• Meredith Corporation F2Q10 (Qtr End 12/31/09) Earnings Call Transcript - seekingalpha
• Big Banks Have Already Figured Out The Loophole In Obama's New Rules - businessinsider
• China and the U.S.: A Tale of Two Real Estate Bubbles - seekingalpha
• Banks Paying Property Taxes and more on Short Sale Fraud - calculatedriskblog
• Business Blunders of the Year - bnet
• GE profit falls, but beats Street - Jan. 22, 2010 - money.cnn
• Philly Fed Index Shows Expansion in January - calculatedriskblog
• Rents Fall to 3 1/2 Year Low in Orange County - calculatedriskblog
• More on Falling Apartment Rents and Rising Vacancy Rates - calculatedriskblog
• The Volcker Rule & AIG: It's Not About Prop Trading - zerohedge
• Loan modification? Good luck with that Realty Q&A - marketwatch
• Are 20.7 Billion Reasons Enough For Goldman To Continue Being A Bank Holding Company? - zerohedge
• Obama Proposes new Bank Rules on Size and Trading - calculatedriskblog
• Federal Reserve Balance Sheet Update: Week Of January 21 - $2.3 Trillion - Rolling Record Highs - zerohedge
• WSJ Jumps the Shark - ritholtz
• Barney Frank Backpedals On Why His Proposed Reform Was Thorougly Trampled By Obama - zerohedge
• Policy Pivot on Banks Followed Months of Wrangling - online.wsj
• Claims data, seasonal distortions but hiring still punk - ritholtz
• Goldman Sachs Appears To Have Been Quasi-Worried About Earnings Reactions - dealbreaker
• NBER Intrigue - ritholtz
• Senator Kaufman Endorses Prop Trading Ban, 99 Other Senators Have No Idea What Prop Trading Is - zerohedge
• On Incident Patterns Of Fed MBS Purchases And OpEx Expirations - zerohedge
Permalink posted by markw @ 6:16 AM
Breakfast Briefing International Edition: The Costs of China's Currency Policy... Toyota's Massive Recall... China's Shadow of Inflation...
• Barbados Shores Up a Troubled Four Seasons - online.wsj
• U.S.-Rescued Haitian Victims Treated on Hospital Ship - bloomberg
• Kyle Bass Is So Bearish On Japan, He Financed His Home In Yen - businessinsider
• Gates: Taliban Part of Afghan Political Fabric - online.wsj
• Toyota Broadens Massive US Safety Recall; Shares Down - cnbc
• China delivers growth but with shadow of inflation - ritholtz
• Poland Goes Without Bailouts - online.wsj
• Roubini says China can't bring recovery alone - marketwatch
• Sergey Brin Reports From His Trip To Haiti - businessinsider
• The Costs Of China's Currency Policy - forbes
• U.S.-Rescued Haitian Victims Treated on Hospital Ship - bloomberg
• Kyle Bass Is So Bearish On Japan, He Financed His Home In Yen - businessinsider
• Gates: Taliban Part of Afghan Political Fabric - online.wsj
• Toyota Broadens Massive US Safety Recall; Shares Down - cnbc
• China delivers growth but with shadow of inflation - ritholtz
• Poland Goes Without Bailouts - online.wsj
• Roubini says China can't bring recovery alone - marketwatch
• Sergey Brin Reports From His Trip To Haiti - businessinsider
• The Costs Of China's Currency Policy - forbes
Permalink posted by markw @ 6:15 AM
Would You Have Spotted the Fraud?
Pictured below is what’s known as a skimmer, or a device made to be affixed to the mouth of an ATM and secretly swipe credit and debit card information when bank customers slip their cards into the machines to pull out money. Skimmers have been around for years, of course, but thieves are constantly improving them, and the device pictured below is a perfect example of that evolution.
This particular skimmer was found Dec. 6, 2009, attached to the front of a Citibank ATM in Woodland Hills, Calif. Would you have been able to spot this?
Krebs on Security: Would You Have Spotted the Fraud?
This particular skimmer was found Dec. 6, 2009, attached to the front of a Citibank ATM in Woodland Hills, Calif. Would you have been able to spot this?
Krebs on Security: Would You Have Spotted the Fraud?
Permalink posted by markw @ 5:13 AM
Penn Mutual, subsidiary have ratings affirmed by A.M. Best
Noting the company’s diversified business profile, large excess surplus and solid-risk adjusted capitalization, A.M. Best has affirmed the ratings of The Penn Mutual Life Insurance Co. and its Delaware-based subsidiary.
The ratings company announced that it has affirmed the financial strength rating of “A+” (Superior) and issuer credit ratings of “aa-” of Horsham, Pa.-based Penn Mutual and its subsidiary, The Penn Insurance and Annuity Co. of Wilmington, Del. The outlook for all ratings is “stable...”
IFA Web News: Penn Mutual, subsidiary have ratings affirmed by A.M. Best
The ratings company announced that it has affirmed the financial strength rating of “A+” (Superior) and issuer credit ratings of “aa-” of Horsham, Pa.-based Penn Mutual and its subsidiary, The Penn Insurance and Annuity Co. of Wilmington, Del. The outlook for all ratings is “stable...”
IFA Web News: Penn Mutual, subsidiary have ratings affirmed by A.M. Best
Permalink posted by markw @ 4:57 AM
Proposed Bank Restrictions Could Hurt Annuity Sales
Following a difficult couple of years, sales of annuities through banks are set to increase this year, but they could face difficulties if a proposal by President Barack Obama to restrict the size and activities of large commercial banks is enacted... In an effort to reduce the risk posed by banks, the President said Thursday he would ask Congress to bar them from proprietary trading or from owning, investing in or sponsoring hedge funds or private equity funds.
Analysts said these regulations could be bad news for banks that sell wealth management products, including annuities...
Financial Planning: Proposed Bank Restrictions Could Hurt Annuity Sales
Analysts said these regulations could be bad news for banks that sell wealth management products, including annuities...
Financial Planning: Proposed Bank Restrictions Could Hurt Annuity Sales
Permalink posted by markw @ 4:56 AM
Thursday, January 21, 2010
Men and Women Have Different Views of Life After 65, Sun Life Financial Study Finds
The gender gap seems to have extended into Canadians' views of retirement with twice as many men (32 per cent) than women surveyed saying they want to work past age 65, according to the second edition of the Sun Life Canadian Unretirement Index.
Men and Women Have Different Views of Life After 65, Sun Life Financial Study Finds
Source: Insurance News Net
Men and Women Have Different Views of Life After 65, Sun Life Financial Study Finds
Source: Insurance News Net
Permalink posted by armandn @ 12:55 PM
U.S. Life Insurers Face More Real Estate Losses, Fitch Says
U.S. life insurers, a group led by MetLife Inc. and Prudential Financial Inc., may face $15 billion in additional losses tied commercial real estate, most of which will be recognized in the next two years, Fitch Ratings said.
U.S. Life Insurers Face More Real Estate Losses, Fitch Says
Source: Business Week
U.S. Life Insurers Face More Real Estate Losses, Fitch Says
Source: Business Week
Permalink posted by armandn @ 12:55 PM
Proposed Bank Restrictions Could Hurt Annuity Sales
Following a difficult couple of years, sales of annuities through banks are set to increase this year, but they could face difficulties if a proposal by President Barack Obama to restrict the size and activities of large commercial banks is enacted.
Proposed Bank Restrictions Could Hurt Annuity Sales
Source: BankInvestmentConsultant.com
Proposed Bank Restrictions Could Hurt Annuity Sales
Source: BankInvestmentConsultant.com
Permalink posted by armandn @ 12:53 PM
New Pacific Life Kit Highlights How Life Insurance Can Help Women Achieve Their Financial Goals
Women control about half of the $14 trillion of private wealth in the United States and they live nearly five years longer than men. Estimates show that women need approximately $2 trillion in life insurance to help protect their families and reach their financial goals. A new kit from Pacific Life, “Women and Wealth: How Life Insurance Can Help the Growing Group of Financial Decision Makers,” can assist life insurance professionals reach and better serve this specialized market.
New Pacific Life Kit Highlights How Life Insurance Can Help Women Achieve Their Financial Goals
Source: Insurance News Net
New Pacific Life Kit Highlights How Life Insurance Can Help Women Achieve Their Financial Goals
Source: Insurance News Net
Permalink posted by armandn @ 12:52 PM
MetLife Bets on Restoring Alico's Reputation
John Hancock has launched a new interactive microsite, www.GetMoreWithMultilifeLTC.com, to help brokers and consultants explore and establish LTC insurance plans for businesses with up to 1,000 employees.
MetLife Bets on Restoring Alico's Reputation
Source: Yahoo! Finance
MetLife Bets on Restoring Alico's Reputation
Source: Yahoo! Finance
Permalink posted by armandn @ 12:51 PM
Breakfast Briefing Advisor Edition: Putnam unveils online IRA tools, Nearly one out of five insurance producers headed for the exit...
• Putnam unveils online IRA tools for financial advisers - investmentnews
• Nearly one out of five insurance producers headed for the exit: Survey - investmentnews
• Scott Brown victory in Massachusetts could delay, even derail, financial reforms - investmentnews
• Know your goals and how you're going to reach them - Senior Advisory Group - producersweb
• Jeans at work? Not just yet - investmentnews
• 12 traps to avoid when converting to a Roth Robert Powell - marketwatch
• Maybe That's Why Buffett Was Cranky Today? - dealbreaker
• Warning From the World Economic Forum in Davos - zerohedge
• Nearly one out of five insurance producers headed for the exit: Survey - investmentnews
• Scott Brown victory in Massachusetts could delay, even derail, financial reforms - investmentnews
• Know your goals and how you're going to reach them - Senior Advisory Group - producersweb
• Jeans at work? Not just yet - investmentnews
• 12 traps to avoid when converting to a Roth Robert Powell - marketwatch
• Maybe That's Why Buffett Was Cranky Today? - dealbreaker
• Warning From the World Economic Forum in Davos - zerohedge
Permalink posted by markw @ 5:53 AM
Breakfast Briefing Econ Edition: Subprime Fallout, Bank Tax Is Unconstitutional, Housing Starts, SEC Charges General Re...
• Subprime Fallout Hits Home in South Carolina - online.wsj
• Democrats To Seek Stunning $1.9 Trillion Increase In Debt Ceiling To $14.3 Trillion - zerohedge
• Obama's Bank Tax Is Unconstitutional - businessinsider
• Housing Starts Decline in December - calculatedriskblog
• Housing Starts, Vacant Units and the Unemployment Rate - calculatedriskblog
• Airline revenue in worst plunge on record - money.cnn
• Darrell Issa Accuses FRBNY Of Contempt For Selective Document Disclosure - zerohedge
• Robert Reich: The Voters Are Firing Obama Because He's Flopped On The Economy - businessinsider
• Interpublic to Name Brien CEO of McCann - online.wsj
• Big Banks Accused of Short Sale Fraud - ritholtz
• Glass-Steagall: Be Careful What You Wish - globaleconomicanalysis
• Obama: The Best President For Stocks Since... FDR - businessinsider
• What the Backlash Over Bonuses and AIG's Bailout Says About America - ritholtz
• States to Obama: Do more to prevent foreclosures - Jan. 20, 2010 - money.cnn
• Mad Money: Why Do Good Things Happen to Bad Banks? - cnbc
• The Immigrant Connection - forbes
• Obama to Go on Offensive Against Big Banks - cnbc
• EBay earnings climb in fourth quarter - marketwatch
• U.S. stocks end lower; material sector weighs - marketwatch
• SEC Charges General Re Corporation for Role in AIG and Prudential Accounting Frauds - zerohedge
• One Sign it's Not the Great Depression All Over Again - businesspundit
• Democrats To Seek Stunning $1.9 Trillion Increase In Debt Ceiling To $14.3 Trillion - zerohedge
• Obama's Bank Tax Is Unconstitutional - businessinsider
• Housing Starts Decline in December - calculatedriskblog
• Housing Starts, Vacant Units and the Unemployment Rate - calculatedriskblog
• Airline revenue in worst plunge on record - money.cnn
• Darrell Issa Accuses FRBNY Of Contempt For Selective Document Disclosure - zerohedge
• Robert Reich: The Voters Are Firing Obama Because He's Flopped On The Economy - businessinsider
• Interpublic to Name Brien CEO of McCann - online.wsj
• Big Banks Accused of Short Sale Fraud - ritholtz
• Glass-Steagall: Be Careful What You Wish - globaleconomicanalysis
• Obama: The Best President For Stocks Since... FDR - businessinsider
• What the Backlash Over Bonuses and AIG's Bailout Says About America - ritholtz
• States to Obama: Do more to prevent foreclosures - Jan. 20, 2010 - money.cnn
• Mad Money: Why Do Good Things Happen to Bad Banks? - cnbc
• The Immigrant Connection - forbes
• Obama to Go on Offensive Against Big Banks - cnbc
• EBay earnings climb in fourth quarter - marketwatch
• U.S. stocks end lower; material sector weighs - marketwatch
• SEC Charges General Re Corporation for Role in AIG and Prudential Accounting Frauds - zerohedge
• One Sign it's Not the Great Depression All Over Again - businesspundit
Permalink posted by markw @ 5:50 AM
Breakfast Briefing International Edition: No Way Out for Japan... China's Growth Trend is Believable...
• No Way Out For Japan - globaleconomicanalysis
• China Grows at 10.7% Year over Year - calculatedriskblog
• Mumbai Builds 'Skywalks,' Elevated Walkways That Let Pedestrians Move Above Crowded Streets - online.wsj
• Chinese Stealth Treasury Purchasing Continues - zerohedge
• China's economy expands 8.7% in 2009 - marketwatch
• Hugo Chavez: A U.S. Weapons Test Caused The Haitian Earthquake - businessinsider
• California And Greece: A Technical Comparison Of Catastrophe Risk - zerohedge
• James K. Glassman and Michael Doran Glassman: How to Help Iran's Green Revolution - online.wsj
• Chart of the Day: Same Island, 7X Difference in GDP - mjperry
• UPDATE: Labor Protest Hits Operations At Nokia's Indian Plant - foxbusiness
• China's growth trend is believeable - marketwatch
• China Grows at 10.7% Year over Year - calculatedriskblog
• Mumbai Builds 'Skywalks,' Elevated Walkways That Let Pedestrians Move Above Crowded Streets - online.wsj
• Chinese Stealth Treasury Purchasing Continues - zerohedge
• China's economy expands 8.7% in 2009 - marketwatch
• Hugo Chavez: A U.S. Weapons Test Caused The Haitian Earthquake - businessinsider
• California And Greece: A Technical Comparison Of Catastrophe Risk - zerohedge
• James K. Glassman and Michael Doran Glassman: How to Help Iran's Green Revolution - online.wsj
• Chart of the Day: Same Island, 7X Difference in GDP - mjperry
• UPDATE: Labor Protest Hits Operations At Nokia's Indian Plant - foxbusiness
• China's growth trend is believeable - marketwatch
Permalink posted by markw @ 4:59 AM
Safer plan for pensions?
The Treasury and Labor Departments are asking for public comment on the idea of encouraging annuities, plain-vanilla investments that pay out a steady stream of pension checks. Unlike 401(k) or IRA accounts loaded with more volatile stocks and mutual funds, the homely annuity is designed to provide sleep-at-night security.
But they aren't perfect. Annuities often come with high sales fees and expenses, according to administrators of mutual funds, which see annuity-peddling insurance companies ready to steal their business. Also, if the annuity plan gets rolling, one of the big winners could be AIG, the bailed-out insurer that's received $182 billion in aid. Why should the firm get any more help? There are also blogosphere fears that the White House plan could lead to a requirement that retirees taking this option buy Treasury bills to ease deficit bills. So far, at least, that is not the table...
SF Gate: Safer plan for pensions?
But they aren't perfect. Annuities often come with high sales fees and expenses, according to administrators of mutual funds, which see annuity-peddling insurance companies ready to steal their business. Also, if the annuity plan gets rolling, one of the big winners could be AIG, the bailed-out insurer that's received $182 billion in aid. Why should the firm get any more help? There are also blogosphere fears that the White House plan could lead to a requirement that retirees taking this option buy Treasury bills to ease deficit bills. So far, at least, that is not the table...
SF Gate: Safer plan for pensions?
Permalink posted by markw @ 4:45 AM
U.S. life insurance application activity shows slight decrease in 2009
U.S. life insurance application activity was flat for the year, with gains since August 2009 eclipsing the recession-based declines of prior months, according to a monthly analysis... The MIB Life Index reported a 0.2% overall decline in life insurance applications filed for the year... Application activity in December 2009 among all ages rose 2.6%.
Fourth quarter application activity rose 2.9%, compared to the same period in 2008, according to the index...
IFA Web News: U.S. life insurance application activity shows slight decrease in 2009
Fourth quarter application activity rose 2.9%, compared to the same period in 2008, according to the index...
IFA Web News: U.S. life insurance application activity shows slight decrease in 2009
Permalink posted by markw @ 4:43 AM
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
Late Links Real Estate: Are The Doomsayers Right About a CRE Crisis?
• Are The Doomsayers Right About A Commercial Real Estate Crisis? - cnbc
• Moody's: CRE Prices Increase 1.0% in November, Expect further declines - calculatedriskblog
• More Foreclosure Trouble Ahead - ritholtz
• Short Sale 'Fraud', SoCal Home Sales, FHA to Tighten Standards - calculatedriskblog
• Housing Starts Tumble, but Permits Rise - online.wsj
• Strategic Defaults and the Foreclosure Crisis - finance.yahoo
• Moody's: CRE Prices Increase 1.0% in November, Expect further declines - calculatedriskblog
• More Foreclosure Trouble Ahead - ritholtz
• Short Sale 'Fraud', SoCal Home Sales, FHA to Tighten Standards - calculatedriskblog
• Housing Starts Tumble, but Permits Rise - online.wsj
• Strategic Defaults and the Foreclosure Crisis - finance.yahoo
Permalink posted by markw @ 12:33 PM
Late Links International: Greece Considering All Borrowing Options
• Greece Considering All Borrowing Options - online.wsj
• Second earthquake hits Haiti - marketwatch
• Greece CDS Hits Fresh Record; Funding Crisis Now Official - zerohedge
• Hysteria Over Yemen Hides A Deeper Strategic Matrix of Long-Term Importance - zerohedge
• Second earthquake hits Haiti - marketwatch
• Greece CDS Hits Fresh Record; Funding Crisis Now Official - zerohedge
• Hysteria Over Yemen Hides A Deeper Strategic Matrix of Long-Term Importance - zerohedge
Permalink posted by markw @ 12:32 PM
Late Links Econ: BofA Losses, Angry Mob, Annual Migration Study, Cash4Gold...
• Losses grow to $5.2 billion at Bank of America - Jan. 20, 2010 - money.cnn
• Angry Mob vs Greedy Bankers - ritholtz
• Brown Wins - Complete Repudiation of Obamacare - What's Next? - globaleconomicanalysis
• United Van Lines Releases Annual Migration Study - mjperry
• Harry Rady on short-sale targets: 'Like shooting fish in a barrel' - investmentnews
• Wells Fargo swings to profit; charge-offs rise - marketwatch
• Congressman Demands FTC Probe Of Cash4Gold - consumerist
• Berkshire Shareholders Approve Stock Split, With Paper Cutout of Charlie Munger Looking On - cnbc
• Proposed ETF council gets mixed early reviews - investmentnews
• U.S. challenges Geithner deposition in AIG lawsuit - investmentnews
• Supreme Court won't review 401(k) suit against Deere, Fidelity - investmentnews
• Don't Buy Anything That Can Be Made With a Printing Press - zerohedge
• Global Tactical Asset Allocation - Currencies - zerohedge
• Angry Mob vs Greedy Bankers - ritholtz
• Brown Wins - Complete Repudiation of Obamacare - What's Next? - globaleconomicanalysis
• United Van Lines Releases Annual Migration Study - mjperry
• Harry Rady on short-sale targets: 'Like shooting fish in a barrel' - investmentnews
• Wells Fargo swings to profit; charge-offs rise - marketwatch
• Congressman Demands FTC Probe Of Cash4Gold - consumerist
• Berkshire Shareholders Approve Stock Split, With Paper Cutout of Charlie Munger Looking On - cnbc
• Proposed ETF council gets mixed early reviews - investmentnews
• U.S. challenges Geithner deposition in AIG lawsuit - investmentnews
• Supreme Court won't review 401(k) suit against Deere, Fidelity - investmentnews
• Don't Buy Anything That Can Be Made With a Printing Press - zerohedge
• Global Tactical Asset Allocation - Currencies - zerohedge
Permalink posted by markw @ 12:31 PM
Proposed Legislation Should Boost Retirement Annuity Sales
Proposed legislation could help encourage your clients to consider rolling over 401 (k) plans into retirement annuities. The legislation, Senate bill 2832, would amend the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, to focus greater awareness on lifetime income retirement planning... Under the bill, sponsors of 401 (k) plans and other private defined contribution plans would be required to show annually, on one pension benefit statement, how the value of retirement accounts translates into guaranteed monthly payments. The bill, introduced on Dec. 3, would require calculation of payments, based on such factors as age at retirement...
Registered Rep: Proposed Legislation Should Boost Retirement Annuity Sales
Registered Rep: Proposed Legislation Should Boost Retirement Annuity Sales
Permalink posted by markw @ 7:10 AM
Breakfast Briefing Advisor Edition: Brightscope launches 401(k) fee tool... Schwab's latest ETFs... mortgage woes of the wealthy...
• Brightscope launches 401(k) fee tool for advisers, investors - investmentnews
• Can't Pay Your Employees What You'd Like? Praise Them Instead. - bnet
• Rollup rolls on as Focus Financial buys interest in Bridgewater Wealth and Financial - investmentnews
• Formula Investing Launches iPhone App that Allows Individuals to Follow Managed Stock Portfolios - finance.yahoo
• Schwab's latest ETFs feature portfolio management - investmentnews
• The mortgage woes of the wealthy - money.cnn
• Managed Funds Association hooks up with CT hedgie group - investmentnews
• McCann's move: UBS chief picks former Merrill vet to lead adviser group - investmentnews
• Can't Pay Your Employees What You'd Like? Praise Them Instead. - bnet
• Rollup rolls on as Focus Financial buys interest in Bridgewater Wealth and Financial - investmentnews
• Formula Investing Launches iPhone App that Allows Individuals to Follow Managed Stock Portfolios - finance.yahoo
• Schwab's latest ETFs feature portfolio management - investmentnews
• The mortgage woes of the wealthy - money.cnn
• Managed Funds Association hooks up with CT hedgie group - investmentnews
• McCann's move: UBS chief picks former Merrill vet to lead adviser group - investmentnews
Permalink posted by markw @ 5:10 AM
Breakfast Briefing Econ Edition: FHA Loan Requirements Make It Harder To Get Mortgage... Unfinished CRE Projects Weigh on Banks...
• FHA loan requirements will make it harder to get mortgage - money.cnn
• Democrats Aim to Pass Health Bill in Case of Mass. Seat Loss - online.wsj
• Unfinished Real-Estate Projects Weigh on Banks - online.wsj
• Not Your Mother's Workforce - forbes
• White House Preparing Fiscal Task Force - foxbusiness
• New York Fed Told AIG To "Stand Down" On All Counterparty Discussions - zerohedge
• FHA To Boost Insurance Premiums to Cushion Defaults - cnbc
• Taxes and Business Creation - angrybear
• Job anxiety threatens any home-building recovery - marketwatch
• More Intentional Media Misdirection (Wall Street) - market-ticker.denninger.net
• Unions ask for "Universal Jobs Guarantee" Guaranteed Employment - globaleconomicanalysis
• Gee, More Duplicity (Is Someone's Nomination In Trouble?) - market-ticker.denninger.net
• Is Silver The New Gold? - zerohedge
• Steve Keen on Banking Secrets and Fed Transparency - globaleconomicanalysis
• AIA: Architecture Billings Index Shows Contraction in December - calculatedriskblog
• The Anti-Fed Fact Sheet - ritholtz
• The Double Dip In Builder Confidence Is Here - zerohedge
• Credit Ignoring Equity Rally - zerohedge
• Surprise! S&P Futures Heading South After Scott Brown Victory - businessinsider
• Citi: We Lost $7.6 B, But On The Bright Side, We Fired 100,000 People - consumerist
• Dick Bove: Bank Tax Is 'Expropriation Venezuela-Style' - dealbreaker
• Bill Gross's $200 Billion Fund Flees U.S. Bonds Into Foreign Assets - businessinsider
• Screw the Bank? By All Means - minyanville
• Democrats Aim to Pass Health Bill in Case of Mass. Seat Loss - online.wsj
• Unfinished Real-Estate Projects Weigh on Banks - online.wsj
• Not Your Mother's Workforce - forbes
• White House Preparing Fiscal Task Force - foxbusiness
• New York Fed Told AIG To "Stand Down" On All Counterparty Discussions - zerohedge
• FHA To Boost Insurance Premiums to Cushion Defaults - cnbc
• Taxes and Business Creation - angrybear
• Job anxiety threatens any home-building recovery - marketwatch
• More Intentional Media Misdirection (Wall Street) - market-ticker.denninger.net
• Unions ask for "Universal Jobs Guarantee" Guaranteed Employment - globaleconomicanalysis
• Gee, More Duplicity (Is Someone's Nomination In Trouble?) - market-ticker.denninger.net
• Is Silver The New Gold? - zerohedge
• Steve Keen on Banking Secrets and Fed Transparency - globaleconomicanalysis
• AIA: Architecture Billings Index Shows Contraction in December - calculatedriskblog
• The Anti-Fed Fact Sheet - ritholtz
• The Double Dip In Builder Confidence Is Here - zerohedge
• Credit Ignoring Equity Rally - zerohedge
• Surprise! S&P Futures Heading South After Scott Brown Victory - businessinsider
• Citi: We Lost $7.6 B, But On The Bright Side, We Fired 100,000 People - consumerist
• Dick Bove: Bank Tax Is 'Expropriation Venezuela-Style' - dealbreaker
• Bill Gross's $200 Billion Fund Flees U.S. Bonds Into Foreign Assets - businessinsider
• Screw the Bank? By All Means - minyanville
Permalink posted by markw @ 5:06 AM
Breakfast Briefing International Edition: Is Dubai's Debt Twice as Much? China Money Rates Rise...
• China Money Rates Rise on Signs Government to Rein in Stimulus - businessweek
• Is Dubai's Debt Actually $170 Billion, Twice As Much As Previously Believed? - businessinsider
• Google Already Seeking China Compromise - businessinsider
• Google says China office remains open for business - marketwatch
• China's Credit Tightening Pipedream Bursts As Yuan Loans Are Set To Jump 18% In 2010 - businessinsider
• EU Joins US In 'We Have No Idea What High Frequency Trading Is But We'll Just Regulate It Anyway' - dealbreaker
• 2009 Global Bull Market Rally: World Stock Markets Gain 43% and $14 Trillion in Market Value - mjperry
• Wipro profit rises 19% on stronger outsourcing - marketwatch
• Is Dubai's Debt Actually $170 Billion, Twice As Much As Previously Believed? - businessinsider
• Google Already Seeking China Compromise - businessinsider
• Google says China office remains open for business - marketwatch
• China's Credit Tightening Pipedream Bursts As Yuan Loans Are Set To Jump 18% In 2010 - businessinsider
• EU Joins US In 'We Have No Idea What High Frequency Trading Is But We'll Just Regulate It Anyway' - dealbreaker
• 2009 Global Bull Market Rally: World Stock Markets Gain 43% and $14 Trillion in Market Value - mjperry
• Wipro profit rises 19% on stronger outsourcing - marketwatch
Permalink posted by markw @ 4:39 AM
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
Tax Help In Caring for an Aging Parent
Millions of adult children find themselves looking after aging parents. Tax laws offer some help, as long as you and your folks meet the criteria.
The key to Internal Revenue Service assistance in caring for an elderly relative is whether you can claim the person as a dependent. Any dependent must meet certain tests. While there is a little flexibility when dealing with children, fewer exceptions are granted when the potential dependent is older.
Tax Help In Caring for an Aging Parent
Source: Bank Rate
The key to Internal Revenue Service assistance in caring for an elderly relative is whether you can claim the person as a dependent. Any dependent must meet certain tests. While there is a little flexibility when dealing with children, fewer exceptions are granted when the potential dependent is older.
Tax Help In Caring for an Aging Parent
Source: Bank Rate
Permalink posted by armandn @ 11:42 AM
Wake Up Hibernating 401(k)s
Join other financial professionals that are creating solid sales opportunities by helping clients awaken old retirement plans and move them away from an ex-employer. For the client, moving these plans out from under the purview of an ex-employer can be a freeing exercise, and it can also open up additional options not currently available, if left snoozing.
Wake Up Hibernating 401(k)s
Source: Producers Web
Wake Up Hibernating 401(k)s
Source: Producers Web
Permalink posted by armandn @ 11:41 AM
Funding Your Lifetime Annuity
Some seniors who have most of their equity in their home want the security of a fixed lifetime annuity, and don't care about not leaving any equity behind for their heirs. A Home Equity Conversion Mortgage, or HECM, which is insured by FHA, can fund the purchase of a lifetime annuity in two ways... One way is for the senior to exercise the "tenure" option under the HECM program and receive a fixed annuity payment for as long as he remains in the house. The second way is for him to exercise the credit line option under the HECM program -- drawing the maximum amount permitted -- and use it to purchase an immediate annuity from a life insurance company...
I shopped both options in early December 2009 for a male, age 86, with a house worth $400,000. This senior had a "Net Principal Limit" (NPL) under the HECM program of $288,000. That is the maximum amount of cash available for purchase of either annuity, after deducting HECM origination costs...
Yahoo Finance: Funding Your Lifetime Annuity
I shopped both options in early December 2009 for a male, age 86, with a house worth $400,000. This senior had a "Net Principal Limit" (NPL) under the HECM program of $288,000. That is the maximum amount of cash available for purchase of either annuity, after deducting HECM origination costs...
Yahoo Finance: Funding Your Lifetime Annuity
Permalink posted by markw @ 7:37 AM
Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway, insurer Swiss Re make $1.3B deal
When billionaire Warren Buffett takes a risk, it's usually a big one... Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway has made a deal with insurer Swiss Re, allowing it to transfer the liabilities of a money-losing U.S. life reinsurance contract for nearly $1.3 billion... The deal makes Berkshire Hathaway's life insurance company liable for up to $1.5 billion in claims. In return, Berkshire Hathaway will be the recipient of premiums...
NY Daily News: Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway, insurer Swiss Re make $1.3B deal
NY Daily News: Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway, insurer Swiss Re make $1.3B deal
Permalink posted by markw @ 5:43 AM
Nationwide Financial tells its advisers to find new B-Ds
Nationwide Financial Network, the sales and marketing arm of Nationwide Mutual Insurance Co., is telling its independent financial advisers to find their own broker-dealers rather than continue to trade through its own brokerage arm, Nationwide Securities LLC... All of Nationwide's independent “personal-producing general agents,” who are financial advisers, will have to register with a new broker-dealer by April 30, according to an e-mail sent out to all of its PPGA reps last Thursday...
Furthermore, agents who want to continue to sell Nationwide products will have to do so through a “non-affiliated channel,” rather than go through Nationwide itself, according to an adviser...
Investment News: Nationwide Financial tells its advisers to find new B-Ds
Furthermore, agents who want to continue to sell Nationwide products will have to do so through a “non-affiliated channel,” rather than go through Nationwide itself, according to an adviser...
Investment News: Nationwide Financial tells its advisers to find new B-Ds
Permalink posted by markw @ 5:22 AM
Breakfast Briefing Econ Edition: Message of Massachusetts, Illinois "state of insolvency", Youth rally against Obamacare...
• The Message of Massachusetts - online.wsj
• Banks pull another $1 billion from small business lending - Jan. 18, 2010 - money.cnn
• Health Bill's Prospects Would Be Hit by Democratic Loss in Massachusetts - online.wsj
• Illinois: "state of insolvency" - calculatedriskblog
• Massachusetts Senate Race Update: Youth Rail Against Obamacare - globaleconomicanalysis
• 2010 Investment Strategies: Six Areas To Buy, 11 Areas To Sell - ritholtz
• Jim the Realtor: Monument to Excess - calculatedriskblog
• Illinois Careens Towards Bankruptcy; Governmental Collapse Coming - globaleconomicanalysis
• Tuesday, January 19th, A Seminal Moment - market-ticker.denninger.net
• 5 Financial Tasks For Baby Boomers - consumerist
• Guest Post: Weightless Waiting For The Deflation Descent - zerohedge
• Oil Prices and Domestic Petroleum Exploration and Wells Investment - calculatedriskblog
• India Veers from Usual Compensation to Oil Firms - online.wsj
• The Dollar Carry Trade Reversed In December - businessinsider
• House Will Vote Directly On Senate Healthcare Bill - businessinsider
• CRE: Sign of the Times - calculatedriskblog
• Changes are coming to U.S. retirement system - marketwatch
• Extend And Pretend; Or Why The Inflation/Deflation Debate Is Largely Irrelevant - zerohedge
• Why The Administration's HAMP Anti-Foreclosure Program Will Be A Failure - zerohedge
• Banks pull another $1 billion from small business lending - Jan. 18, 2010 - money.cnn
• Health Bill's Prospects Would Be Hit by Democratic Loss in Massachusetts - online.wsj
• Illinois: "state of insolvency" - calculatedriskblog
• Massachusetts Senate Race Update: Youth Rail Against Obamacare - globaleconomicanalysis
• 2010 Investment Strategies: Six Areas To Buy, 11 Areas To Sell - ritholtz
• Jim the Realtor: Monument to Excess - calculatedriskblog
• Illinois Careens Towards Bankruptcy; Governmental Collapse Coming - globaleconomicanalysis
• Tuesday, January 19th, A Seminal Moment - market-ticker.denninger.net
• 5 Financial Tasks For Baby Boomers - consumerist
• Guest Post: Weightless Waiting For The Deflation Descent - zerohedge
• Oil Prices and Domestic Petroleum Exploration and Wells Investment - calculatedriskblog
• India Veers from Usual Compensation to Oil Firms - online.wsj
• The Dollar Carry Trade Reversed In December - businessinsider
• House Will Vote Directly On Senate Healthcare Bill - businessinsider
• CRE: Sign of the Times - calculatedriskblog
• Changes are coming to U.S. retirement system - marketwatch
• Extend And Pretend; Or Why The Inflation/Deflation Debate Is Largely Irrelevant - zerohedge
• Why The Administration's HAMP Anti-Foreclosure Program Will Be A Failure - zerohedge
Permalink posted by markw @ 5:08 AM
Breakfast Briefing International Edition: China pushes up bill rates, Japan's new money lending law, Kraft offers 840 pence a share for Cadbury...
• China Pushes Up Bill Rates for Second Time to Curb Growth - cnbc
• Credit Suisse Gold Supply And Demand Forecast - zerohedge
• Haiti relief efforts remain strong - Jan. 18, 2010 - money.cnn
• Japan's Money Lending Law to Be Enforced by June, Tamura Says - businessweek
• Baidu CTO Li Yinan Resigns, Second Executive to Quit in 10 Days - businessweek
• Kraft Offers 840 Pence a Share for Cadbury; Board Approves - bloomberg
• Sweden Calls for EU to Apply U.S.-Style Levy on Banks - online.wsj
• China Pushes One-Year Bill Yield to 14-Month High - businessweek
• Higher bond yields put Europe stocks into question - marketwatch
• Credit Suisse Gold Supply And Demand Forecast - zerohedge
• Haiti relief efforts remain strong - Jan. 18, 2010 - money.cnn
• Japan's Money Lending Law to Be Enforced by June, Tamura Says - businessweek
• Baidu CTO Li Yinan Resigns, Second Executive to Quit in 10 Days - businessweek
• Kraft Offers 840 Pence a Share for Cadbury; Board Approves - bloomberg
• Sweden Calls for EU to Apply U.S.-Style Levy on Banks - online.wsj
• China Pushes One-Year Bill Yield to 14-Month High - businessweek
• Higher bond yields put Europe stocks into question - marketwatch
Permalink posted by markw @ 5:06 AM
Monday, January 18, 2010
Swiss Re Transfers U.S. Life Business Risk to Berkshire Hathaway
Swiss Reinsurance Co. said Monday it has set a reinsurance transaction on a block of individual life reinsurance business with Berkshire Hathaway Inc., a move meant to bolster the Swiss firm's capital efficiency.
Swiss Re Transfers U.S. Life Business Risk to Berkshire Hathaway
Source: CNN Money
Swiss Re Transfers U.S. Life Business Risk to Berkshire Hathaway
Source: CNN Money
Permalink posted by armandn @ 11:43 AM
Optimism Fuels Investments in 2010
Despite the fact investors are more conservative after getting slammed by the recession, advisors and their clients are optimistic about the year ahead, with advisors looking to grow their business and improve their use of technology.
Optimism Fuels Investments in 2010
Source: Financial-Planning.com
Optimism Fuels Investments in 2010
Source: Financial-Planning.com
Permalink posted by armandn @ 11:42 AM
Breakfast Briefing Econ Edition: Wall Street considers Constitutional Challenge to Responsibility Fee... Learning from Lady Gaga...
• Report: Wall St. Considers Constitutional Challenge to Responsibility Fee - calculatedriskblog
• Dear Union Members: Your Leadership Just Screwed Over The Rest Of America - businessinsider
• Failure of Corporate Boards Is Ruining America - ritholtz
• Money Shouts, Wealth Whispers - online.wsj
• Indirect Bidders Are Fleeing The Short Bond - zerohedge
• Guest Post: The Banker Bonus Diversion - zerohedge
• Health Care Reform And Reconciliation - businessinsider
• Job Creation is US Lawmakers' Top Priority in 2010 - cnbc
• VIsualizing The Last Three Bonus Seasons - zerohedge
• The 5 Things That Startups Can Learn From Lady Gaga - businessinsider
• Younger Investors Become More Risk Averse than Older Investors - tipd
• How to Choose a Savings Account - tipd
• Required Minimum Distributions Resume for 2010 - tipd
• Make Chase Value You For The Great Customer You Are - consumerist
• Dear Union Members: Your Leadership Just Screwed Over The Rest Of America - businessinsider
• Failure of Corporate Boards Is Ruining America - ritholtz
• Money Shouts, Wealth Whispers - online.wsj
• Indirect Bidders Are Fleeing The Short Bond - zerohedge
• Guest Post: The Banker Bonus Diversion - zerohedge
• Health Care Reform And Reconciliation - businessinsider
• Job Creation is US Lawmakers' Top Priority in 2010 - cnbc
• VIsualizing The Last Three Bonus Seasons - zerohedge
• The 5 Things That Startups Can Learn From Lady Gaga - businessinsider
• Younger Investors Become More Risk Averse than Older Investors - tipd
• How to Choose a Savings Account - tipd
• Required Minimum Distributions Resume for 2010 - tipd
• Make Chase Value You For The Great Customer You Are - consumerist
Permalink posted by markw @ 5:47 AM
Breakfast Briefing International Edition: U.K. Australia Inflation, India and Panasonic...
• U.K. Indicators Show Mixed Picture - online.wsj
• European companies seen posting stellar earnings - marketwatch
• Australia Inflation Gauge Up 0.3% In Dec.: Reports - foxbusiness
• Panasonic Aims to Double India Sales to $1 Billion - online.wsj
• India To Detail Share Sale Road Map For Next Two Years By March - foxbusiness
• Asia Stocks, Won Fall as U.S. Consumer Confidence Disappoints - businessweek
• Crude Oil Prices: Oil Falls For Sixth Session to $77 - cnbc
• Japan scandal could reportedly slow budget passage - marketwatch
• Chavez orders takeover of French hypermarket chain - finance.yahoo
• 2nd UPDATE: IMF Chief Cautions Against Early Stimulus Exit - online.wsj
• European companies seen posting stellar earnings - marketwatch
• Australia Inflation Gauge Up 0.3% In Dec.: Reports - foxbusiness
• Panasonic Aims to Double India Sales to $1 Billion - online.wsj
• India To Detail Share Sale Road Map For Next Two Years By March - foxbusiness
• Asia Stocks, Won Fall as U.S. Consumer Confidence Disappoints - businessweek
• Crude Oil Prices: Oil Falls For Sixth Session to $77 - cnbc
• Japan scandal could reportedly slow budget passage - marketwatch
• Chavez orders takeover of French hypermarket chain - finance.yahoo
• 2nd UPDATE: IMF Chief Cautions Against Early Stimulus Exit - online.wsj
Permalink posted by markw @ 5:46 AM
Friday, January 15, 2010
Lunch Linkage: CPI, Rents and Real Earnings... Big Banks Accused of Short Sale Fraud...
• Record Bank Bonuses Based On Record Fraud - ritholtz
• Democrats, Unions Reach Deal on Health Tax - online.wsj
• Homebuyer tax credit availabe, but no e-file and long delays - Jan. 15, 2010 - money.cnn
• Big Banks Accused of Short Sale Fraud - cnbc
• The Fed can't keep ignoring inflation forever - Jan. 15, 2010 - money.cnn
• J.P. Morgan commercial-banking credit losses rise - marketwatch
• So what are banks for, anyway? - creditwritedowns
• CPI, Rents and Real Earnings - calculatedriskblog
• "Audit The Fed" and "Got Gold?" - Stamp the Messages Lovingly Everywhere - globaleconomicanalysis
• Consumer prices up 2.7% in 2009 - Jan. 15, 2010 - money.cnn
• Bill Black: We Must Solve the Wall St. Bonus Problem - ritholtz
• CPI, Rents and Real Earnings - calculatedriskblog
• Democrats, Unions Reach Deal on Health Tax - online.wsj
• Homebuyer tax credit availabe, but no e-file and long delays - Jan. 15, 2010 - money.cnn
• Big Banks Accused of Short Sale Fraud - cnbc
• The Fed can't keep ignoring inflation forever - Jan. 15, 2010 - money.cnn
• J.P. Morgan commercial-banking credit losses rise - marketwatch
• So what are banks for, anyway? - creditwritedowns
• CPI, Rents and Real Earnings - calculatedriskblog
• "Audit The Fed" and "Got Gold?" - Stamp the Messages Lovingly Everywhere - globaleconomicanalysis
• Consumer prices up 2.7% in 2009 - Jan. 15, 2010 - money.cnn
• Bill Black: We Must Solve the Wall St. Bonus Problem - ritholtz
• CPI, Rents and Real Earnings - calculatedriskblog
Permalink posted by markw @ 10:41 AM
Affluent US retirees regret delay in financial planning
Nearly 55% of 1,000 affluent US retirees having minimum investible assets of $250,000 (€173,708), who were polled by marketing research firm Braun Research on behalf of Merrill Lynch Wealth Management, regret not having begun a relationship with a financial adviser earlier, according to a report in Investment News...
Wealth Bulletin: Affluent US retirees regret delay in financial planning
Wealth Bulletin: Affluent US retirees regret delay in financial planning
Permalink posted by markw @ 5:01 AM
Breakfast Briefing Econ Edition: Bond Funds Big... Record Comp Levels on Wall Street... JPM posts $3.3B profit...
• Bond funds big, but boutiques back in fashion too - investmentnews
• Wall Street Bonus and Compensation Levels Likely to Set a Record - online.wsj
• Walgreen Threatens to Stop Filling Medicaid Prescriptions - foxbusiness
• Small Business Trends Suggest No Recovery On Horizon - globaleconomicanalysis
• Proposed "Financial Crisis Responsibility Fee" - calculatedriskblog
• JPMorgan books profits of $3.3 billion - Jan. 15, 2010 - money.cnn
• Intel reports $2.3 profit for fourth quarter - Jan. 14, 2010 - money.cnn
• Banks Should Be Taxed Because They Caused Crisis: Frank - cnbc
• Hotel RevPAR off 10.4 Percent - calculatedriskblog
• Kimberley A. Strassel: The Health Lady Has Yet to Sing - online.wsj
• Obama's Bank-Tax Strategy: Will It Succeed or Backfire? - cnbc
• SEC Helped AIG Hide PassThru Bailouts to GS, others - ritholtz
• Multiple Choice Take Home Exam On Thin Markets From Themis Trading - zerohedge
• Retailers Fared Worse Than We Feared - fool
• IEA Tweaks 2010 Oil-Demand Forecast - online.wsj
• Let's Take the Crony Out of Crony Capitalism - mjperry
• Wall Street Bonus and Compensation Levels Likely to Set a Record - online.wsj
• Walgreen Threatens to Stop Filling Medicaid Prescriptions - foxbusiness
• Small Business Trends Suggest No Recovery On Horizon - globaleconomicanalysis
• Proposed "Financial Crisis Responsibility Fee" - calculatedriskblog
• JPMorgan books profits of $3.3 billion - Jan. 15, 2010 - money.cnn
• Intel reports $2.3 profit for fourth quarter - Jan. 14, 2010 - money.cnn
• Banks Should Be Taxed Because They Caused Crisis: Frank - cnbc
• Hotel RevPAR off 10.4 Percent - calculatedriskblog
• Kimberley A. Strassel: The Health Lady Has Yet to Sing - online.wsj
• Obama's Bank-Tax Strategy: Will It Succeed or Backfire? - cnbc
• SEC Helped AIG Hide PassThru Bailouts to GS, others - ritholtz
• Multiple Choice Take Home Exam On Thin Markets From Themis Trading - zerohedge
• Retailers Fared Worse Than We Feared - fool
• IEA Tweaks 2010 Oil-Demand Forecast - online.wsj
• Let's Take the Crony Out of Crony Capitalism - mjperry
Permalink posted by markw @ 4:57 AM
Breakfast Briefing Adviser Edition: TFS's Eric Newman, Morningstar's fund managers of the decade...
• TFS's Eric Newman: 'We only want to offer our best stuff' - investmentnews
• A Financial Plan for the Newly Rehired - online.wsj
• Passing on property with a trust or life estate Realty Q&A - marketwatch
• Homebuyer tax credit of $8,000 is being delayed for months - Jan. 14, 2010 - money.cnn
• 5 Simple Tips To Help Make Sure You Buy Stocks Low and Sell Them Higher - tipd
• The big three: Morningstar names fund managers of the decade (video) - investmentnews
• The End Of Boring Presentations - forbes
• The Slickest Sales Tactics - forbes
• Don't Flush Your Credit Down the Drain - tipd
• State regulator says SEC dropped the ball on private placements - investmentnews
• A Financial Plan for the Newly Rehired - online.wsj
• Passing on property with a trust or life estate Realty Q&A - marketwatch
• Homebuyer tax credit of $8,000 is being delayed for months - Jan. 14, 2010 - money.cnn
• 5 Simple Tips To Help Make Sure You Buy Stocks Low and Sell Them Higher - tipd
• The big three: Morningstar names fund managers of the decade (video) - investmentnews
• The End Of Boring Presentations - forbes
• The Slickest Sales Tactics - forbes
• Don't Flush Your Credit Down the Drain - tipd
• State regulator says SEC dropped the ball on private placements - investmentnews
Permalink posted by markw @ 4:55 AM
Breakfast Briefing International Edition: Haiti, Global Real Estate, Contrarian View Of China
• A Contrarian View Of China: Tying It All Together - zerohedge
• China Downplays Google Threat, Says US Ties Unaffected - cnbc
• Is The Mysterious "Direct Bidder" China Executing Quantitative Easing On Behalf Of The Fed? - zerohedge
• U.S. companies chip in for Haiti relief - marketwatch
• Corporate America Goes Good: 25+ Big Companies Donating Millions to Haiti - businesspundit
• Real Estate Price Global Edition - ritholtz
• Meet The Casualties In Google's War On China - businessinsider
• Fears Over US Dollar Resurface Every 10-15 Years - ritholtz
• IEA Says Developed-World Oil Demand Already Looking Weaker Than Expected - businessinsider
• China Downplays Google Threat, Says US Ties Unaffected - cnbc
• Is The Mysterious "Direct Bidder" China Executing Quantitative Easing On Behalf Of The Fed? - zerohedge
• U.S. companies chip in for Haiti relief - marketwatch
• Corporate America Goes Good: 25+ Big Companies Donating Millions to Haiti - businesspundit
• Real Estate Price Global Edition - ritholtz
• Meet The Casualties In Google's War On China - businessinsider
• Fears Over US Dollar Resurface Every 10-15 Years - ritholtz
• IEA Says Developed-World Oil Demand Already Looking Weaker Than Expected - businessinsider
Permalink posted by markw @ 4:42 AM
Thursday, January 14, 2010
The Life Insurance Industry Needs To Get With The Times
Let's face it: Nobody gets excited about life insurance. It has been around for hundreds of years, and it's surely one of the most socially useful consumer financial products, yet people don't much care who they buy it from--if they buy it at all.
In the U.S. life insurance is sold, not bought. That is, a salesperson almost always initiates the transaction. People under 40 don't buy enough of it. And even though people don't care who they buy it from, they nonetheless show a remarkably low satisfaction with providers--not just in the U.S., but around the world.
The Life Insurance Industry Needs To Get With The Times
Source: Forbes.com
In the U.S. life insurance is sold, not bought. That is, a salesperson almost always initiates the transaction. People under 40 don't buy enough of it. And even though people don't care who they buy it from, they nonetheless show a remarkably low satisfaction with providers--not just in the U.S., but around the world.
The Life Insurance Industry Needs To Get With The Times
Source: Forbes.com
Permalink posted by armandn @ 11:39 AM
John Hancock Wins Multiple Awards for Web Site and Marketing Communications
John Hancock Funds wrapped up 2009 by winning multiple awards for its web site, advisor communications, and customer service.
"A consistent theme throughout our recent string of awards has been the strength and quality of our web-based, interactive tools," said Keith F. Hartstein, President & CEO of John Hancock Funds. "Financial advisors choose partners to help them meet client needs, and a tool like our Portfolio Insight, which creates custom reports and a transparent view of client holdings, does just that."
John Hancock Wins Multiple Awards for Web Site and Marketing Communications
Source: Yahoo! Finance
"A consistent theme throughout our recent string of awards has been the strength and quality of our web-based, interactive tools," said Keith F. Hartstein, President & CEO of John Hancock Funds. "Financial advisors choose partners to help them meet client needs, and a tool like our Portfolio Insight, which creates custom reports and a transparent view of client holdings, does just that."
John Hancock Wins Multiple Awards for Web Site and Marketing Communications
Source: Yahoo! Finance
Permalink posted by armandn @ 11:37 AM
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