Broker

A broker acts as the intermediary or middleman between a buyer and a seller and earns a commission from the transaction. There are brokers in just about any kind of business – real estate, mortgage, insurance, bonds, stock market, customs, commodities, foreign exchange, etc. In the stock market, the broker is the link between the investor and the stock exchange. Brokers as a rule have to sit for exams to earn a license in order to solicit business, offer any advice and transact on your behalf.

5 Reasons to Question the Recent Indexed Annuity Article in Bloomberg

An article on indexed annuities appeared in Bloomberg yesterday (click here to read).

The article is substantive and comes from a credible source.  It is provides a good explanation of why surrender fees need to be a front-and-center consideration for any consumer considering the purchase of an...

Veritat Offers Comprehensive, Fee-Only Financial Planning Services that are Affordable and Scalable

Veritat is a start-up seeking to leverage process and technology innovation to scale a business model that is typically saddled with persistent and burdensome variable costs.  If successful, Veritat will be able to deliver premium services to a mass audience.

As a registered investment advisor (RIA) that adheres to the fiduciary standard, Veritat provides comprehensive financial planning services through financial advisors who are employed by the company and share a common sense of mission.

We spoke with Dr. Kent Smetters who is the President of Veritat and a professor at the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania. 

 

Annuity Digest: How did Veritat come into existence?

Dr. Kent Smetters:...

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eRollover CEO Tim Harrington on Filling a Void in the Retirement Planning Market

Tim Harrington is the Chairman and CEO of start-up eRollover.

Tim is a seasoned technology and consumer marketing entrepreneur.  Among Tim’s accomplishments is the ecommerce company Fogdog Sports--a venture he led from inception through successful IPO and post-IPO merger.

We had the opportunity to speak with Tim before his presentation at the Finovate conference in San Francisco.

 

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Fiduciary Standard Receives a Boost from the Goldman Fiasco

The recent hearings on Capitol Hill involving Goldman Sachs and other financial institutions seems to have breathed life into the broad incorporation of fiduciary status within the investment industry. A pair of senators recently proposed to restore fiduciary language into the Wall Street Transparency and Accountability Act of 2010.

DTCC Uses Technology to Drive Cost Savings and Efficiency in the Retirement Income Industry

Adam J. Bryan is Managing Director and General Manager of the Depository Trust and Clearing Corporation’s (DTCC) Insurance &Retirement Services.

DTCC’s Insurance and Retirement business unit is the central messaging hub for...

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