In Practice

Total assets in exchange-traded fund (ETF) managed portfolio strategies rose 43% in 2011, according to a report from Morningstar.

A survey of U.S. plan sponsors conducted by Finadium looked at the attitudes and opinions of institutional investors across securities lending, collateral management and custody.

Cerulli Associates projects that in 2013, the wirehouse channel will remain the largest distribution channel, despite significant decline of assets under management (AUM) from 43% in 2010 to...

The majority of advisers perceive themselves as providing a level of service that merits the title of financial planner (59%), however, 56% fall into the investment planner category.

Companies continue to shift away from stock options and other “appreciation” awards toward a greater emphasis on full-value awards in their equity compensation plans.

Partnering with a professional retirement plan adviser offers benefits for plan sponsors, according to a study for the Retirement Advisor Council. 

Nearly 60% of Canadians are confident in their ability to save for retirement versus fewer than 40% of Americans. 

Only 8% of women strongly agree they are building a large enough retirement nest egg. 

More than half (58%) of Americans indicate they would feel more confident about their finances if they had a financial plan in place.  

Saving for retirement and protecting their families in case of death is important to Americans across generations. 

A study by The American College reveals small business owners show a strong bias for financial advisers of the same gender, with men exhibiting a stronger gender bias.

Four out of 10 employers expect to devote more time addressing retirement plan governance over the next two years. 

Americans could retire up to 10 years earlier and with a higher standard of living if they did so outside of the U.S.

Merrill Lynch advisers will no longer get paid on new accounts that total less than $250,000, according to published reports.

Aon Hewitt released its 401(k) Index Observations for the month of November.

Forty-eight percent of Americans do not feel prepared for retirement.   

401(k) plan participants have adopted a more balanced approach to their portfolios, according to ICI and EBRI.

Despite widespread economic volatility in 2011, 80% of Americans in an Allianz Life survey said they will not focus on financial planning in their resolutions for 2012.

Most U.S. adults have at least one financial New Year's resolution. 

Advisers are seeing limited or diminished returns from their use of social media, but most have unrealistic expectations or fail to use it correctly.