Assets of Money Market Institute firms rise to $4.2 trillion
The "representative as portfolio manager" continues to be the fastest-growing model within the wealth management industry, according to a new report from the Money Market Institute.
Retirement conferences this fall
Here's a list of fall 2015 and winter 2016 conferences that might interest you, starting with the Financial Planning Association's annual conference in Boston this weekend.
Mega-deals missing from first-half life/annuity M&A: A.M. Best
Over 40% of all deals were cross-border M&As, as companies go international in search of growth. A.M. Best believes private capital, whether buying or selling, will continue to play...
Vanguard and T. Rowe Price launch international funds
New low-cost Vanguard index funds look for dividend-paying stocks overseas, while an actively-managed T. Rowe Price fund searches for undervalued financial, telecommunications and consumer discretionary stocks in emerging markets.
The Bucket
Brief or late-breaking news from Allianz Life, American Funds/Capital Group, Pershing, 3D Asset Management, Morningstar Investment Services, and Wilshire Associates.
New investment-focused variable annuity from Nationwide
Nationwide posted $2.76 billion in variable annuity sales in the first six months of this year, for a 4% market share. The Columbus, OH-based firm ranked eleventh in total...
Since 1967, income has shifted upward: U.S. Census Bureau
Households where a married couple is present have the highest median income, at more than $80,000. Non-family households led by a female have the lowest median income, at less...
Robo-advisors should shift to B2B model: Cerulli
"Cerulli projects eRIAs will need to grow approximately 50%-60% per year for the next six years and gather approximately $35 billion in AUM to remain a standalone direct channel...
Flows to bond ETFs increased in September: TrimTabs
The rush into bonds has not occurred in response to strong absolute performance, TrimTabs said. Treasury bond ETFs are down 0.4% since the start of August, while corporate bond...
Traits of “leading” life/annuity issuers: Conning
In the 2015 edition of an annual report, Conning named 20 life/annuity specialists for superior performance, based on their operating margin, return on surplus, premium growth, sales and other...
New York Life offers dividend-paying income annuity and QLAC
The release didn’t say whether or not the initial income payout from Mutual Income would be lower than the initial income payments of an annuity that does not offer...
Fitch publishes “US Life Insurance GAAP Results Dashboard”
"Operating results were almost evenly split between companies reporting better returns in first-half 2015 and those reporting worse returns during the period," Fitch analysts wrote.
Nationwide hands the ball to Peyton Manning again
This fall, the veteran quarterback of the Denver Broncos will be putting fresh lyrics to the tune of Nationwide Financial's well-known "On Your Side" advertising jingle.
Wink releases second quarter 2015 indexed annuity sales data
With a market share of 17.3%, Allianz Life was the top-selling carrier. American Equity Companies, Great American Insurance Group, American General Life Companies and Athene USA completed the top...
Putnam hires another senior executive from Fidelity
Sumedh Mehta joins Putnam from Fidelity Investments, where he most recently served as senior vice president, Fidelity Investment Management Technology.
Jackson National adds income rider to indexed annuity
While Jackson dominated the variable annuity business in the first half of this year, with $11.8 billion in sales and an 18.4% market share, it isn’t among the 20...
Annuity sales up in second quarter, but down for first half of 2015: LIMRA
In the first half of the year, total annuity sales reached $114.6 billion, 5% lower than prior year. LIMRA Secure Retirement Institute's second quarter U.S. Individual Annuities Sales Survey...
After nine years, Boeing settles 401(k) fiduciary suit
The suit, filed on behalf of 190,000 Boeing employees and retirees, had accused the aircraft builder of charging excessive investment fees to participants in its $44 billion 401(k) plan....
Pensions should fear longevity gains more than low rates: Fitch
The ratings agency said expected increases in interest rates and longevity could offset each other, with its impact on funding depending on the timing of the change, the discount...
The Bucket
Brief or late-breaking items from Insured Retirement Institute, Beacon Research, Morningstar, Nationwide, Northern Trust, Lincoln Financial, Cerulli Associates, AXA, The Principal, and Allianz Life.
