Saturday Oct 17, 2009
Insurers are reworking their offerings to reduce risk on retirement products without losing consumer appeal.
Friday Sep 18, 2009
In the coming months, we are likely to see public debate on regulation of financial services. A part of that will attempt to define and apply a fiduciary standard. Will it impact your adviser relationships? Learn to protect yourself.
Friday Sep 11, 2009
Variable annuities, high fees included, have proven to be a great investment, and financial advisers are on the defensive to explain why they didn't sell more to their clients.
Wednesday Sep 2, 2009
Try this quiz to see what you know—and don't know, because not knowing the fine print may leave you very disappointed when the annuities deliver less during market rallies than you expected.
Wednesday Aug 19, 2009
Annuities could become the right investment with five necessary changes, according to Moshe Milevsky.
Wednesday Aug 12, 2009
Beware of advertisements that don’t clearly identify the investment product or strategy being proposed. A lack of disclosure and transparency in an ad should be a red flag when it comes to the financial products and advisers consumers should consider.
Thursday Aug 6, 2009
One of the products that has been stung in the retirement product race are variable annuities with benefits for retirement income. Here are reasons why you don’t need an annuity, and some ideas to create a safer portfolio.
Tuesday Jul 28, 2009
If the declining market has diminished your tolerance for investment risk, you are a prime target for variable annuity salespeople. Before buying, take time to understand features of these complex investment vehicles that salespeople may not discuss.
Tuesday Jul 21, 2009
Variable annuities proved to be one of the best investments in the last decade, thanks to their guarantees.
Thursday Jul 16, 2009
Will new products combining life insurance or annuities with long-term-care insurance be the best choice for consumers? Robert Powell investigates.
| Type | Today | Week Ago |
|---|---|---|
| 15 Year Fixed | 4.62%  |
4.67% |
| 30 Year Fixed | 5.15% | 5.15% |
| 1 Year ARM | 3.48% |
3.51% |
| 5/1 Year ARM | 3.62% |
3.68% |
| Type | Today | Week Ago |
|---|---|---|
| Line of Credit | 4.89%  |
4.88% |
| 10 Year Loan | 7.47% | 7.47% |
| 15 Year Loan | 7.61% |
7.60% |
| Type | Today | Week Ago |
|---|---|---|
| Interest Checking | 0.28% | 0.28% |
| Money Market/Savings | 0.38% | 0.38% |
| 12 Month CD | 1.13%  |
1.15% |
| 60 Month IRA CD | 2.40% |
2.41% |
| Type | Today | Week Ago |
|---|---|---|
| Cash Back Cards | 12.66% |
12.68% |
| No Annual Fee Cards | 12.08% |
11.97% |
| Reward Cards | 12.75% |
12.61% |
| Small Business Cards | 11.01% |
10.94% |
| Student Cards | 13.77% |
13.49% |
| Platinum Cards | 12.26% |
12.11% |
Russell I do like your reference of Pandora's box. Perhaps a latch should be installed. To take the Devil's advocacy I am not sure that suitability really places the firms interest first. Not each situation is a win/lose proposition between the advisor and the public. Most of them are indeed routine with little if any differnences in incentive. I mention that becasue American Funds is the largest fund family out there and it is primarily recommended by wirehouses. American Funds scores well in most screenings. So it would appear that despite being offerred on a suitability basis it is quite possible that a fiduciary basis would have been satisfied as well. And I just figured out that WUOT is a radio station and not a cause :-)