Financial Planning

IMGCAP(1)]Credit scores have become a major factor for consumers and businesses that seek financing ranging from mortgages, car and student loans to business credit lines and bank loans.

The majority of baby boomers intend to have a more active lifestyle in retirement than their parents (86 percent), as well as a better standard of living (72 percent), according to Bank of America’s Merrill Lynch Affluent Insights Quarterly.

Broker-dealer H.D. Vest Investment Services has converted its brokerage clearing functions to First Clearing LLC from Wells Fargo Investments LLC.

2 OUT OF 5 AMERICANS FEEL LESS FINANCIALLY SECURE

When I think of resources for the financial planner, it makes me think of those that would create leverage, scale and profitability for a wealth-management business.

The recent extension of the estate tax at a 35 percent rate will not result in a "claw back" tax obligation for people who make gifts in 2011 and 2012 that exceed their post 2012 estate tax exemption allowance, according to a trio of tax experts.

The Financial Crisis Inquiry Commission delivered the results of its nearly two-year-long investigation into the causes of the financial and economic crisis on Thursday, but with dissenting views from some of the Republican members of the commission.

As the economy gradually recovers, some mature workers are feeling more comfortable about retiring now compared to last year at this time.

Emerging Information Systems Inc., developer of NaviPlan and Profiles financial planning software, has introduced a new Retirement Consumer Facing Application for Profiles Professional.

The American Institute of CPAs has named Irv Rothenberg, CPA/PFS, of Santa Rosa, Calif., as the recipient of its 2010 Personal Financial Planning Distinguished Service Award.