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• Confidence Indexes Hit Record Lows

  Spectrem Group Inc. said affluent investors' confidence fell to its lowest level since the Chicago research company began conducting its monthly survey.

• Schwab Proposes Eight-Step Savings Plan

  Charles Schwab on Wednesday unveiled an eight-step plan to help people prioritize both their short-term and long-term savings objectives.

• ING Offers Administration Tool

  ING Financial Services Inc., a Windsor, Conn., unit of ING Group NV, launched an online plan administration platform for sponsors of 403(b) retirement plans.

• Art Succession Planning Has Advocates

  Discover the top 10 art succession planning mistakes made by financial and legal advisors.

• PayCycle Opens 1099 E-Filing Service

  Payroll processor PayCycle said its 1099 MISC E-File service would be open for accounting professionals serving small business clients starting Jan. 1, 2009.

• Mutual of Omaha Offers Advice Through 401(k) Toolbox

  Mutual of Omaha is now offering retirement advice in its 401(k) Toolbox, a service called Manage It For Me.

• Inheriting Coins

  A new service has been set up to help heirs of rare coins get quick, accurate information and find reputable dealers.

• Quality Time

  Putting a little thought into client outreach can build bonds that outlast seasonal tchotchkes.

• 5 Questions with Jean Setzfand

  The director of financial security at AARP provides tips on safeguarding retirement income.

• Identity Thieves Target the Affluent

  Assure your clients that you're safeguarding their information.

• So Many Client Segments, So Little Time

  A strategic approach to client segmentation improves customer satisfaction and your bottom line.

• Keeping It Simple

  A good strategy forestalls any urge to time the market, and can provide protection when the Dow heads south.

• Wealth Transfer

  If your clients have inherited money recently, they're probably looking for new advisors.

• Reining in Email

  Do you open messages instantly? Check your BlackBerry while out to dinner? Here's how to control your email habit.

• Spendaholics

  Ed McMahon, the new poster child for retirement planning, is a client we know too well.

• Comforting the Bereft

  When a client or prospect is grieving the death of a loved one, how you come across can make the difference between alienation and lifelong loyalty.

• Doing Due Diligence

  The decision to buy a planning firm should rest, in part, on its regulatory past and its business future.

• On the Side

  Although many planners who develop products probably should keep their day jobs, these ventures might benefit their practices.

• Anticipating Needs

  Serving a retired clientele, this firm offers something unusual: concierge medical services.

• The Big Ask

  If you haven't already moved your practice to fees, you're probably feeling pressure to do so. As a result, your client acquisition strategies may have to change their scale—from asking for a single account to asking to spearhead a client's financial plan and its execution. Here's how some of the industry's most successful advisors made the switch.

• T. Rowe Price Offers Online Income Help

  Mutual fund giant T. Rowe Price has equipped its website with a new tool that allows people who are planning for, transitioning to, or in retirement to estimate the monthly, inflation-adjusted income they can expect to extract from their savings.

• Forensic Accounting Demand Increases

  The demand for CPAs who provide forensic accounting services has accelerated in the past year.

• IRS Offers Guidance on Auction Rate Securities

  The IRS issued a revenue procedure that provides guidance on the treatment of taxpayers who accept certain types of settlements of potential legal claims relating to auction rate securities.

• Eight CUs to Fund $100M for Illinois Student Loans

  Eight Illinois credit unions have agreed to help plug the growing hole in student loan funding by investing $100 million in securities to fund Stafford loans for Illinois students.

• Boomers Love Credit

  Banks are missing out on a big selling point with the retired class. "Credit usage remains quite widespread after retirement, contrary to many consumers' expectations."

• Advisors Grapple with Clients Employed by Troubled Financial Services Firms

  Many independent financial advisors say the current crises on Wall Street may not affect their clients directly—unless, that is, they are employed at the very firms wrapped up in today's news.

• Planners' Response to the Wall St. Meltdown

  As the stock market fell this morning and investors pondered the impact of Lehman Brothers' bankruptcy and the crisis at AIG, advisors were holding meetings to consider the likely impacts on their clients and their firms.

• Unenrolled Preparers Erred on Most Tax Returns

  Unenrolled tax preparers made mistakes on the majority of returns they prepared for undercover Treasury Department auditors.

• SpeedTax to Integrate with QuickBooks

  SpeedTax said its Web-based sales tax management service would soon be integrated with Intuit's QuickBooks Enterprise, Pro and Premier editions.

• National Planning Offers Advisor Tool

  National Planning Holdings Inc., a Santa Monica, Calif., broker-dealer, has announced the introduction of a Web-based portfolio management and reporting platform for financial professionals.

• Harris Private's Aging-Client Platform

  Harris Private Bank, a Chicago unit of Bank of Montreal, has introduced Harris enCircle, a service designed to help clients address the financial needs associated with aging.

• IRS Streamlines Tax-Exempt Application Process

  The Internal Revenue Service and the Treasury Department have issued new regulations that will make it easier for charities to gain tax-exempt status.

• Tax Strategy: Tax Planning Issues Arise from Housing Legislation

  The tax provisions of the Housing and Economic Recovery Act of 2008 appear at best to have only an indirect effect on the individuals most impacted by the subprime mortgages and declining home values.

• Industry Grapples with Solutions for Millions Failing to Save

  The Pension Protection Act is proving to help people better prepare for retirement, but millions of lower-income Americans are still underserved.

• Project Helps Black Banks Seek Deposits Nationwide

  Many banks targeting African-Americans have struggled with attracting enough deposits within their communities, but a grassroots organization is trying to offset that trend by urging people to deposit funds in such institutions.

• IRS Temporarily Suspends Enforcing AMT on Options

  In response to a letter from several members of Congress, the IRS will stop trying to enforce collection of alternative minimum taxes due on incentive stock options for the rest of the month.

• Fees Turning Off More Plan Sponsors

  Fees have become the top reason that retirement plan sponsors switch providers.

• Firm Tells Retirees: 'Don't Fear 65'

  Symetra Financial has launched a new awareness campaign titled "Don't Fear 65," laying out a path for retirees to live a worry-free retirement.

• Adopting Technology

  Schwab Institutional's scorecard shows which applications are most popular, and points to new developments.

• IRS Finalizes Tax-Exempt Form 990 Instructions

  The Internal Revenue Service has released its revised instructions for the redesigned Form 990 that tax-exempt organizations must submit.

• He Gives New Meaning To 'Old Money'

  Dr. Neal Cutler understands that Baby Boomers are entering a retirement landscape far more complex than the one their parents faced.

• Healthy Enough to Retire?

  Will health issues force your clients to retire earlier or spend their nest eggs quicker than they planned?

• Does Your Client Understand Credit Scores?

  A new survey commissioned by the Consumer Federation of America (CFA) and Washington Mutual Bank reveals that few people actually know what a credit score represents.

• Microsoft Won't Upgrade Money This Year

  Microsoft has decided not to upgrade its Microsoft Money personal finance software this year and will sell the software exclusively online now.

• Morningstar to Acquire Financial Computer Support

  Morningstar plans to acquire Financial Computer Support Inc., a provider of practice management software for investment advisors.

• Multi-Currency Platform Acquires SunGard

  FolioDynamix, a provider of unified managed accounts technology and services, has acquired SunGard Advisory Technologies.

• Tax Software Targets Latino Immigrant Market

  A tax practitioner has teamed up with a software engineer to create a new tax prep program aimed at preparers who service Spanish-speaking taxpayers.

• Congressman Proposes New Tax-Free Savings Accounts

  Representative John McHugh (R-NY) has introduced legislation designed to help workers save money during times of unexpected expenses or hardship, and later roll the money over into retirement income.

• IRS to Release Revised Instructions for Redesigned Form 990

  The Internal Revenue Service plans on Aug. 15 to release revised instructions to its redesigned Form 990 for nonprofit organizations and Schedule K on tax-exempt bonds.

• SEC Warns about 401(k) Debit Cards

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

• MassMutual Permits 401(k) Sponsors to Customize Plans

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

• Getting Antsy: Advisers Cope with High-Strung Clients

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

• Tax Planning in a Troubled Economy

  When personal circumstances change and times get rough, there are usually some provisions in the Tax Code that come into play to provide a bit of tax relief.

• The Dichotomies of the 22 Million Mass Affluent

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

• Advisers Willing to Buy Income Solutions--Curian Survey

  A recent survey of independent financial advisors by Curian Capital LLC shows that only 10% of advisers believe that 80% or more of their clients will have enough money to meet their expected living standards after they retire.

• RISE Launches Income Planning Tool for Middle Class

  RISE, or Retirement Income Solutions Enterprise, Inc., has introduced Mature Simplicity, an income education and planning tool for financial planners and their middle-market clients.

• Think Slow and Steady to Beat the Street

  The less exciting road can sometimes help you weather the storms.

• Investor Psychology Leads To Bad Decisions

  Two behavioral biases—overconfidence and loss aversion—are so powerful that they seem like a metaphor for recent market losses.

• Communication Is Critical in Challenging Markets

  You should be contacting 35 clients a week for a brief conversation in the name of relationship maintenance—and this time, it's personal.

• Invest in Yourself: Work on Your Business

  Business management and money management are different goals, so to successfully run your advisory business, you'll need to develop a new set of skills.

• What Do I Do Now?

  A bear market requires more than good asset management. Here's how top planners deal with clients' fears.

• Bringing People Aboard

  "Onboarding" new hires helps assimilate and empower them before they even begin work.

• For Art's Sake

  Art may be a passion purchase, but soaring valuations call for caution. Enter the art advisor.

• House Calls

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

• Hand-Holding in Tough Times

  You had better be calming your clients' fears in these roiling markets. Here's how.

• Give Yourself a Break

  Making vacation time a priority is good for your business.

• Robbing Peter to Pay Paul

  Disintermediation is a small price to pay for stronger client relationships.

• Choices in Bad Times

  While a recessionary market is a trying time for any advisor, it's also a great opportunity to preserve your current clients and grow your business.

• The Secret to Referrals

  You won't meet prospective new clients sitting in your office. Be active in your community and reap the rewards.

• Misguided Questions

  The media presents a stilted view of the financial world, making it harder for advisors to help their clients.

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

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

• IRS Revises Business Tax Forms

  The IRS has released draft revisions of the Corporate 1120 and Partnership 1065 tax forms, along with related schedules, for public comment.

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

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

• Free Calculator Shows Impact of 401(k) Withdrawals

  To show workers the long-term impact of cashing out their 401(k) savings when they change jobs or retire, a firm that provides rollover services for plan sponsors now offers a free "Cash-Out Calculator."

• Social Security Debuts Retirement Benefits Estimator

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

• State CPA Societies Offer Secure File Transfers

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

• What Wealthy Families Really Want

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

• Survey Finds Health Account-Plan Link

  A majority of individuals who have a high-deductible health plan have a health savings account.

• Workers Draw From 401(k)s During Hard Times

  Hard times, unemployment and medical emergencies are leading more and more workers to take loans from their 401(k) retirement plans.

• Prudential Offers Long-Term Care Insurance to LGBT Community

  Prudential Financial recently announced an insurance program targeted at the Lesbian, Gay, Bi-Sexual and Transgender (LGBT) community.

• 6 Strategies for Developing a Referral-Only Practice

  For many advisors, this dream of a referral-only business has become a reality. Here, seasoned veterans share their insights on developing a client acquisition model where referrals are a common byproduct of trusted, long-term relationships.

• Consumer Taxes Trending Higher

  The taxes paid by U.S. consumers are rising higher overall at gas pumps, retail stores and cigarette counters.

• Boomers Need Comforting, Reassurance Amid Market Turmoil

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

• Podcast

  Meeting Your Clients' Healthcare Needs

  Is it possible to be a good planner today without addressing your clients' healthcare issues?

• It Pays to be Client-Focused!

  Profitability and being client-focused go hand in hand. Intellectually, all accountants believe this, but they have a hard time identifying specific actions they can take to maximize both profitability and client service.

• 60% of Americans Don't Have a Will

  Only one quarter of Americans aged 25 to 34 have a will, according to a FindLaw.com survey.

• Boomers Changing Retirement Plans

  One in four affluent 60-year-olds are altering retirement plans while 40 percent are downsizing their lifestyles.

• A Baby Boomer Stampede May Prove Just a Trot

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

• Valuing Your Services

  As clients enter the decumulation stage, many advisors will face a profit pinch. Changing your pricing model is one way out.

• Deficiency Letter 411

  The basic components of the new SEC deficiency letters explained.

• Idea Person

  To create a strategic plan for your firm, first understand your competition.

• Can We Talk?

  In times of market turbulence, advisors who communicate with their clients will prosper.

• Open Up!

  These communication techniques will help build stronger relationships with clients and prospects.

• Bloomberg Professional Runs on Windows Mobile

  Bloomberg Professional subscribers can now use the service on their Windows Mobile handheld devices, which may help it make gains in the BlackBerry-dominated financial services industry.