NAPFA LAUNCHES PSA CAMPAIGN: The National Association of Personal Financial Advisors, a 1,300-member association of fee-only financial advisors, has launched a consumer-oriented public service campaign aimed at educating Americans about the need for financial professionals to hold themselves to a fiduciary standard. The campaign is titled "Focus on Fiduciary."NAPFA said that the strategy behind the campaign is to highlight the issues surrounding fiduciary standards in the financial industry while helping consumers ask the right questions of their financial advisors. To support the campaign, NAPFA has developed a number of resources available to the industry and consumers alike, including:
* A Web site with details on the fiduciary issue (www.focusonfiduciary.com);
* Promotional flyers and posters;
* Public service announcements (radio and print);
* A fiduciary questionnaire; and,
* Handout materials.
NAPFA said that the effort would include press tours and events in major metropolitan areas, including New York, Chicago, Boston, Los Angeles, Washington, Philadelphia, Dallas and Miami.
FPA UNVEILS 2006 ANNUAL CONFAB STRUCTURE: The Financial Planning Association recently announced the new educational structure for its annual conference, which will be held this year in Nashville, Tenn., Oct. 21-24.
For the first time, the FPA has expanded its offerings to include eight educational tracks, offering 40 sessions encompassing topics such as client trust and communication, practice management and technology, and advanced planning. In addition, the FPA's student-oriented "Bridge the Gap" program has been incorporated into the overall conference via the Financial Planning Essentials track.
Conference attendees can remain with one track for the duration of the conference, or mix and match. Planners have the opportunity to earn up to 25 continuing education credits for the CFP Board (pending approval), and the conference has also expanded its state insurance continuing education opportunities. To view the entire program or to register for FPA Nashville 2006, visit the newly redesigned Web site at www.fpaannualconvention.org or call (800) 322-4237.
ADP TO OFFER 401(K) OPTION FROM MORNINGSTAR ASSOCIATES: ADP Retirement Services, a unit of outsourced payroll, benefits and human resource services provider ADP, and registered investment advisor Morningstar Associates, a wholly owned subsidiary of Morningstar Inc., have teamed up to offer a 401(k) index-fund option.
Under the agreement, ADP Retirement Services will offer the Morningstar Retirement Manager Managed Account service to its retirement plan sponsors with an all-index-fund option. Currently, ADP offers an all-index-fund managed account option with a portfolio of State Street Global Advisor Index Funds.
ADP Retirement Services provides administrative services to more than 30,000 plans and 1.3 million plan participants across multiple market segments.
U.S. WEALTH ADVISORS TAPS MCCARRON AS PRESIDENT, CEO: Dennis McCarron has been named chief executive and president of U.S. Wealth Advisors LLC - a newly created broker/dealer division of U.S. Wealth Management - to service its growing national client base.
A 20-year veteran of the financial services industry, McCarron was most recently vice president of sales and marketing for U.S. Wealth Management. He also served as vice president at NVest, where he was responsible for institutional sales of cash, equity, bond and technology products to the financial services industry.
U.S. Wealth Advisors was recently approved for membership by the National Association of Securities Dealers. Beginning in early December, U.S. Wealth Management will begin transacting all of its securities business through U.S. Wealth Advisors LLC. The new firm has retained National Financial Integrated Brokerage Solutions as its clearing and custody provider. National Financial is a Fidelity Investments company and a provider of brokerage, custody and clearing solutions.
