Insights

First Quarter 2007|Jim Williams| March 30, 2007 - The date that witnessed a remarkable convergence in the ethics landscape for providers of financial planning services.

Third Quarter 2004|Jim Williams| I’m sure that most readers of this newsletter know who (what) the SEC is (the Securities and Exchange Commission). I doubt that many know what (who) the FPA is (the Financial Planning Association), much less, why a three-letter association has filed suit against a three-letter government agency.

Fourth Quarter 2002|Jim Williams| President Bush recently announced a series of tax-reduction proposals that are being characterized and analyzed within the context of an economic stimulus plan. The centerpiece of the proposals is the elimination of taxes on dividends paid by recipients of those dividends, and the proposals would also accelerate reductions in the federal tax rate and marriage penalty. . Congressional Republicans are strongly in favor of the bill. Democratic opposition to the Bush plan is significant.

Third Quarter 2000|Jim Williams| You may have noticed that a few weeks ago, USA Today proclaimed that the job of a financial planner was at the top of their list of desirable jobs. I agree, but for different reasons than they cited. Bob Veres, a wise and thoughtful commentator on the financial advisory profession, outlined what he thought financial advisors do for their clients and identified four areas of core value.

Second Quarter 2000|Jim Williams| Recently, the Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards proposed changes to the disclosure rules related to compensation which CFP Designees receive. The biggest change would be that CFP Designees (planners) who receive commissions, trail fees, etc. from third parties would have to disclose in detail the amounts they have received, are receiving and will receive. Why should the client know?