Clearly more and more families are entrusting independent advisors to manage their assets. But how does one choose between countless firms? It’s one thing to choose an advisor who works for a global brand, like a major bank. But how does one begin to choose amid thousands of independent firms?…

Firm: Cresset Asset Management Name: Avy Stein Location: Chicago, IL Team Custodied Assets: $25.9 Billion Forbes Rankings: America’s Top RIA Firms Background: Avy Stein grew up in Chicago, first majoring in accounting from the University of Illinois before then getting a law degree from Harvard. Though he started as a…

Firm: Parcion Private Wealth Name: Terry Cook Location: Bellevue, WA Team Custodied Assets: $1.9 billion Forbes Rankings: America’s Top RIA Firms, America’s Top Wealth Advisors, Best-In-State Wealth Advisors Background: Terry Cook grew up in a small town in the Willamette Valley of Oregon, a region now known for its wines…

Coca Cola is allowed to make new lows? Even though it’s owned in a big way by some of the largest investment funds in the world? Other huge market capitalization brand names are joining the classic soft drink maker on last week’s new lows list: Pepsi’s been selling off and…

After three straight quarters of year-over-year earnings declines, expectations are for an improved third-quarter earnings season. While consensus forecasts are for a slight year-over-year decline in earnings, economic growth improved in the quarter, and inflation has moderated. Earnings are slated to decline by -0.1% year-over-year, and topline sales are expected…

In her last days, Feinstein’s daughter and step-daughters battled in court over the Senator’s access to assets left by her very rich late husband, Richard C. Blum. It got nasty, with accusations of elder abuse. There are lessons here for all blended families–even those of more modest means. When Richard…

The Securities and Exchange Commission is taking a closer look at how RIAs are using testimonials and hypothetical performance in advertising. The financial industry is constantly evolving and with it, so are rules about how registered investment advisors can market to prospective clients. Over two years ago the Securities and…

Central bankers “talking tough” are raising the risk that the Federal Reserve’s tight-money policy will push the U.S. economy into recession, said Michael Arone, chief investment strategist at State Street Global Advisors, who suggested equity investors could ride out the tough times in consumer-discretionary, mega-cap technology and beaten-down energy stocks.…

Retirement is one of the biggest transitions in your life, as you’ve likely spent the majority of your life working and once you retire, you’ll no longer have that identity and that source of income. This can be a jarring reality shift, both for your finances and your emotions, no…

The financial landscape, particularly in relation to estate taxes, is experiencing a sense of déjà vu. If we rewind back to 2011, estate planners were confronted with the impending expiration of the estate tax unified credit, which would have dropped from $5.5 million to $1 million. As a result, many…