FPA SEEKS BOARD NOMINATIONS: The Financial Planning Association is currently accepting nominations for its 2006 board of directors.Members of the FPA's 2005 board will elect the 2006 board from candidates nominated by June 30, 2005. The 2006 board of directors will consist of up to 18 members, including three officers. The new members elected in 2005 will each serve three-year terms beginning on Jan. 1, 2006.
"Serving on the FPA's board of directors is an opportunity for members to help shape the financial planning profession and position the FPA at its heart," said FPA president James A. Barnash.
Individual members and chapters are encouraged to nominate one or more candidates for the FPA board. For more information go to: www.fpanet.org/member/about/who/2006fpaboardnominations.cfm.
HOUSE PASSES PERMANENT ESTATE TAX REPEAL: Lawmakers voted 272-162 to permanently repeal estate taxes beginning in 2011, when the current law that temporarily phases out estate taxes expires.
House members approved H.R. 8, the Permanent Estate Tax Repeal Act of 2005, after easily killing a Democratic compromise.
The bill, which has the support of the White House, would eliminate the current step-up in basis from date of death, beginning in 2010, and substitute a carryover basis, with the result that beneficiaries who eventually sell a business that they inherit would be subject to capital gains tax on the increase in value before, as well as after, death.
SIPC AND CIPF SEAL CROSS-BORDER PACT: The Securities Investor Protection Corp., a group chartered by Congress to maintain a reserve fund to protect customers of insolvent brokerage firms, and its Canadian counterpart, the Canadian Investor Protection Fund, have signed a memorandum of understanding in order to work together more closely in the event of the insolvency of a brokerage firm doing business in both the United States and Canada.
The SIPC-CIPF pact is the second such agreement for the SIPC. In February 2004, the SIPC executed a similar accord with the Financial Services Compensation Scheme, an SIPC-like entity that provides protection to investors in the United Kingdom.
"The SIPC and the CIPF have had an excellent relationship for over 30 years," said SIPC president Stephen Harbeck. "The [memorandum of understanding] provides for cooperation and efficient handling of claims from investors where there are cross-border issues. We will also exchange information on a regular basis."
AMERICAN COLLEGE TO HOST LEADERSHIP SEMINAR: The American College, an educator of financial and insurance professionals, will sponsor a field management seminar titled "Developing New Leadership Competencies for Productivity and Profitability." Scheduled for June 15, the one-day event will examine a variety of methods and strategies for managers to improve their leadership skills.
The topics include:
* Evaluating yourself as an agency leader;
* Understanding the leadership competencies of highly successful agency managers;
* Assessing individual leadership "soft skills;"
* Sharpening thinking skills;
* Developing emotional intelligence; and,
* Understanding client expectations.
The cost is $300. However, those who enroll on or before May 15 will receive a $25 discount. Walk-in registrants pay $350. For more information or to register for the event, go to www.theamericancollege.edu.
EVENSKY & KATZ ELEVATES JONES TO COO: Evensky & Katz, a Coral Gables, Fla.-based wealth management firm, elevated Lane Jones, CFP, CFA, to the post of chief operating officer.
A seven-year veteran of E&K, Jones most recently served as director of operations for the firm. He also held posts as associate and senior advisor.
