Recent News
More seniors tapping home equity
The current economic crisis is leading many older Americans to take value out of their homes via home-equity loans or reverse mortgages.
Posted on: July 2, 2009
By Senior Market Advisor
Coalition praises anti-151A legislation
The Coalition for Indexed Products has voiced its support to a newly introduced companion bill to the Meeks-Price Bill, designed to defeat the SEC's 151A efforts.
Posted on: July 1, 2009
By Andy Stonehouse, Associate Editor
New study reveals who buys LTCI
The 2008 study showed that nearly half of LTCI buyers were under 65 years of age and just over 10 percent were between the ages of 45 and 54.
Posted on: June 30, 2009
By Senior Market Advisor
New campaign addresses growing women's market
It's long been known that women play a huge role in the decision-making process regarding financial products, but for many years, companies (and even individual advisors) have continued to treat the business as a male-centered enterprise. This, despite the fact that women make up 51 percent of the American population and hold 43 percent of the nation's wealth.
Posted on: June 26, 2009
By Andy Stonehouse, Associate Editor
NAVA testimony questions added industry regulation
Speaking before the House Financial Services Committee on June 24, NAVA president and CEO Cathy Weatherford offered her organization's input on President Obama's proposals to reform the regulation of the financial services industry - suggesting that the existing regulatory structure is sufficient.
Posted on: June 25, 2009
By Andy Stonehouse, Associate Editor
President's financial plan faces opposition
President Obama's hope of altering the way the nation's financial system is regulated received a lukewarm reception in Congress earlier this month.
Posted on: June 24, 2009
By Senior Market Advisor
Poll shows support for government-run health care
The latest New York Times/CBS News poll indicates that 72 percent of Americans strongly favor a major overhaul of the health care system.
Posted on: June 23, 2009
By Senior Market Advisor
LTC costs exceed many Californians' income
In each of California's 58 counties, long term care is unattainable for many of the state's most vulnerable citizens.
Posted on: June 23, 2009
By Senior Market Advisor
Regulatory update: Industry groups mostly supportive of Obama proposal
Many trade organizations and insiders say they feel Obama's regulatory proposals will do the right thing.
Posted on: June 19, 2009
By Andy Stonehouse, Associate Editor
Record-setting LTCI claim offers glimpse of future costs
A new study released by the American Association for Long-Term Care Insurance illustrates the benefits and also the significant generational costs associated with LTCI.
Posted on: June 18, 2009
By Andy Stonehouse, Associate Editor
Regulatory alert: Obama plan calls for tighter industry regulation
As part of a sweeping package of financial services industry regulations revealed on Wednesday, June 17, the Obama administration has still opted to let states retain much of their current regulatory oversight.
Posted on: June 17, 2009
By Andy Stonehouse, Associate Editor
Americans' financial retirement confidence drops
In the latest results from the Retirement Confidence Profile (RCP), a survey developed by clinical psychologist Dr. Bill Roiter, Americans' financial confidence in their retirement has dropped six percentage points.
Posted on: June 17, 2009
By Senior Market Advisor
Market Conduct: Annuities consumer guide hits the market
A new guide, designed to help consumers understand their choices among the various annuity products, was released earlier this month by the Insurance Marketplace Standards Association (IMSA).
Posted on: June 17, 2009
By Senior Market Advisor
BPASelect Annuity finds latest distribution partner
The product was in the top ten `product by sales' category of all indexed annuities in 2008, according to the Advantage Index Sales & Market Report.
Posted on: June 17, 2009
By Senior Market Advisor
Economy may be reviving
After nine months of economic recession, the financial system appears to be reviving, even though much of the assistance planned by the Obama administration has yet to be implemented.
Posted on: June 9, 2009
By Senior Market Advisor
Dorsett to preside over LISA
Veris Settlement Partners' Russel Dorsett has been elected the new president of LISA, the Life Insurance Settlement Association. He has been on LISA's board since 2007 and has acted as vice president since last year.
Posted on: June 9, 2009
By Senior Market Advisor
Economic update: "Starting to heal"
U.S. Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner has said that the nation is "starting to heal" from the economic strife of the past several months.
Posted on: June 9, 2009
By Senior Market Advisor
Wealthier Americans continue to economize
According to a self-reported Gallup poll, upper-income Americans' discretionary spending averaged $94 per day during the first 15 days of May.
Posted on: June 9, 2009
By Senior Market Advisor
Now what? — New rules from FINRA
FINRA is soliciting public comment on a move to consolidate rulebooks from the organization's predecessors, the National Association of Securities Dealers and the member regulation functions of the New York Stock Exchange, that may extend brokers' obligations to investors.
Posted on: May 28, 2009
By Danielle Andrus, Online Editor
New online reference for advisors launched
Summit Business Media recently launched a new subscription-based online reference tool for financial advisors and insurance professionals.
Posted on: May 26, 2009
By Danielle Andrus, Online Editor