Women financial advisors stand a long way from equal footing with men in terms of hiring and pay—and independent broker-dealers are no exception to the industry-wide disparities. The average share of female registered representatives out of the total headcounts of the largest IBDs amounts to an estimated 17%, according to data submitted by firms for Financial Planning’s 33rd annual FP50 survey. To read the ...

Northwestern Mutual, the parent of No. 5 IBD Northwestern Mutual Investment Services, took a majority stake in consulting firm ClientWise, the two firms announced this week.  The partnership will give Northwestern’s advisors access to coaching and digital tools while providing ClientWise with capital. To read the full article in FinancialPlanning, click: Citing “Societal Need” for Planning, Northwestern Mut ...

A slump in U.S. corporate profit is the biggest concern expressed by financial professionals responding to a State Street Global Advisors survey.  James Green, group editorial director Investment Advisor Group, examines if rising stock market volatility is close behind. To read the full article in ThinkAdvisor, click: Advisors Overweight Technology, Financials Amid Earnings Concerns: SSGA. ...

2013 California Filings:   Aetna: 22 percent.  Anthem Blue Cross: 26 percent.  Blue Shield of California: 20 percent. Reed Abelson at the New York Times reported last week that health insurance companies across the country are seeking and winning double-digit increases in premiums for some customers, even though one of the biggest objectives of the Obama administration’s health care law was to stem the rapi ...