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Technology
 
Morningstar To Reside In Windows 8?
Tuesday, 15 May 2012
In what appears to be a major coup for Morningstar, the financial research firm's data will populate a new stock application in Windows 8, sources say.
 
Junxure Launches Advisor Training Program
Monday, 14 May 2012
Raleigh, N.C.-based Junxure has launched Junxure Quick Start, an implementation and training program, company officials said.

 PW May 2012
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RIA Firm, Intel Create New Platform For Independent FAs
May 2012 issue
 
Advisor Emporium
May 2012 issue
Morningstar Advisor Workstation Adds PriceMetrix Tools
Morningstar is adding two new tools to Advisor Workstation, its Web-based investment planning platform. According to the Chicago-based fund researcher, the new tools, CommissionCheck and FeeCheck from PriceMetrix, will help Advisor Workstation subscribers make informed pricing decisions and streamline administrative tasks.

CommissionCheck and FeeCheck show advisors how their fees or commissions compare with those of their peers. The new tools determine an average price range for a variety of client transactions and managed account fees from the anonymous history of more than 5 million fee-based and transactional accounts, gathered from advisors managing nearly $1 trillion in assets. This data is refreshed monthly to ensure maximum accuracy and relevance.

CommissionCheck and FeeCheck allow broker-dealers and their affiliated advisors to transparently compare their fees and determine a fair, appropriate price for executing a trade or managing a client’s portfolio. This helps financial advisors gain confidence in their value proposition and ensure they are receiving appropriate compensation for the value they bring to clients.

Morningstar’s Advisor Workstation offers advisors research, portfolio analysis, goal planning and sales presentations.

International Gold Safekeeping Management Opens
International Gold Safekeeping Management, a new firm headquartered in Fort Worth, Texas, offers the management and storage of precious metals worldwide. The firm addresses the risks and costs inherent in the direct ownership of precious metals by offering a network of more than 10 top-class vaults in secure, diverse locations and a management team with extensive precious metals expertise.

IGSM’s vaults are located in multiple countries, allowing investors to spread their holdings across the globe and minimize risks due to economic or political factors in any one location. More information can be found at www.goldsafekeeping.com

Jackson Introduces Elite Access
Jackson National Life Insurance Company has launched Elite Access, a new variable annuity designed to provide greater portfolio diversification by using alternative asset classes. The annuity uses alternatives, risk management and tactical management to dampen market volatility and seek higher returns with less risk.

Market Vectors Launches Indonesia ETF
Market Vectors ETF Trust has launched the Market Vectors Indonesia Small-Cap ETF, the first U.S.-listed exchange-traded fund designed to provide investors with pure-play exposure to the small capitalization segment of Indonesia’s stock market, and the second ETF in the Market Vectors family focusing on Indonesia.

“Indonesia has grown rapidly over the past several years, and we believe that it is well positioned to continue to prosper, with an economy supported by rising domestic consumption and higher levels of disposable income,” says Ed Lopez, marketing director at Market Vectors ETF.

TRUSTIVO Connects Employees with Advisors
TRUSTIVO is a new platform that connects people with independently verified financial advisors focusing on retirement needs. Boston-based TRUSTIVO’s retirement service targets employers who want to add value to their employees’ benefits package and offer more than just a traditional rollover option at retirement.

The majority of retirees and pending retirees have no relationship with a financial advisor and need help finding one. TRUSTIVO-verified advisors undergo independent screening to ensure that they can handle assets at the time they are most crucial to retirees.

BofA Enhances Merrill Edge
Bank of America has added a number of new online and mobile capabilities for its Merrill Edge customers. These new capabilities include a Merrill Edge Android application, remote check deposit functionality for iPhones, bill-pay functionality for iPads and a new Investment Product Education Center within MerrillEdge.com.

These new enhancements expand Merrill Edge’s online and mobile capabilities while the platform continues to offer customers simple and convenient ways to invest.

“Merrill Edge continues to invest in new tools and enhancements to allow our customers to access and manage their Merrill Edge investment accounts anywhere, at any time, helping them to stay in control of their finances,” says Alok Prasad, Merrill Edge executive.
 
Optimizing Social Security
By Joel P. Bruckenstein, May 2012 issue
When is the best time to start taking benefits?  New software helps answer that question.
 
Missed Opportunity
By David Lawrence, May 2012 issue
Most advisors underutilize the technology offered by their broker-dealer or custodian. Why?
 
Scottrade To Offer MoneyGuidePro At A Deep Discount
Wednesday, 11 April 2012
Scottrade Advisor Service, a custodian to more than 1,000 independent RIAs, has agreed to resell MoneyGuidePro financial planning software to its advisors at a 50% discount.
 
SEC Warns Exchanges About Tech Glitches
Thursday, 05 April 2012
The Securities and Exchange Commission warns exchanges to protect markets from technology gone awry.
 
The Changing RIA
By Bernie Clark, April 2012 issue
Advisors need to start thinking bigger and go beyond their current capabilities.
 
Upping Their Game
By Joel P. Bruckenstein, April 2012 issue
The latest versions of eMoney Advisor’s wealth management software offer significant improvements.
 
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Online Extras

Putting Retirement Changes Into Perspective
Three major shifts are fundamentally changing retirement, says Columnist Robert Laura.
Read more...
 
Consider Adapting Asset Allocation To Retirement Spending Needs
“Chasing yield” can lead investors to buy questionable investments merely because they offer—at least temporarily—enticing income streams. To effectively manage retirement income, it’s important to consider the actual liabilities.
Read more...
 

FAgreen

Investors Unite To Push For Better ‘Fracking’ Practices
A group of activist investors representing $1 trillion in assets under management is pushing for higher standards for hydraulic fracturing, a process energy companies use to extract natural gas.
Read more...

On The Move

Wescott Financial Advisory Group Names Chief Operating Officer
David Gaskin will guide the firm's growth strategy.
Read more...
 
Raymond James | Morgan Keegan Hires Advising Team
Mike Fink and Will Bach have joined the firm in Dayton, Ohio.
Read more...