FINRA And Its Relentless Attack on Excessive Fees
A recent article in Investment News reported the planned crackdown on excessive fees charged by the brokerage industry, but how can FINRA regulate their own source of revenue?
When Harry and Sally Met Their 401(k)
I just couldn’t keep my big mouth closed and gave Harry and Sally the report on their 401 (k) annual expenses being charged to manage their funds. These expenses were in addition to the $50 per year administration fees and were tied to the actual account value of the funds in the 401 (k).
To Be Or Not To Be: What Is An Annuity?
A guarantee or a guess, which would you choose? Guarantees or a future guess, which would you choose? Annuities are annuities. The term annuity, when used as a noun, can mean two entirely different products. According to Investopedia, the definition of an annuity is: An annuity is a contractual financial product sold by financial institutions [...]
Estimating The Future Can Be A Mistake Unless It Is Guaranteed
How ignorant are those who don't understand annuities and yet think they are experts A year or so ago, an article written by stockbroker, Brooks Rhys, made a clear and loud statement, “Don’t Buy Equity Linked Annuities!” I have to laugh at the headline now; Mr. Rhys didn’t even know the correct name of [...]
Promises And Guarantees Are Not The Same Thing
Recent update: https://www.cnbc.com/2019/01/28/woodbridge-group-ordered-to-pay-1-billion-in-penalties-for-ponzi-scheme-targeting-retail-investors.html In the old movie, The Road to Morocco, Bing Crosby and Bob Hope show their pure comedic brilliance. One of the best parts of the movie is when they become lost in a Moroccan desert and see a mirage, the outcome is hilarious. Of course, the illusion is not real, and they end [...]
12 B-1 Fees And Distrubution Fees In Mutual Funds
Distribution fees in mutual funds are designed to cover ongoing marketing and support cost for services provided to owners of mutual funds. Distribution fees are paid to the sales organizations that provide the clients for the mutual fund company. 12 B-1 fees are subtracted from the mutual fund owners share value. These are fees paid [...]
The Federal Government And Their Slow Creep Over Our Lives
The Federal Government needs to respect States Rights At a speech recently SEC Commissioner Luis A. Aguilar suggested the need for more federal government oversight for the annuity industry. Not the variable annuity industry that the SEC currently regulates but the annuity industry managed by each state Department of Insurance (DOL). His decision was based [...]