By: Matthew Arndt, CFA, CPA, CFP | May 21, 2009 | Bad Financial Advice, Investment Performance, Wall Street Ethics, Who Can I Trust?

It is amazing that a bank can fail a stress test, be undercapitalized, and yet still impress shareholders. At least that is how it appears with the recent Bank of America (BAC) stock price rally. The share price of BAC has been on an upward tear following the announcement it will raise almost $13.5 billion [...]

By: Glenn Wessel, CFA, CPA, CFP®closeAuthor: Glenn Wessel, CFA, CPA, CFP® Name: Glenn Wessel
Member: Member Paladin
Quality Rating:
Email: gwessel@wesselinvestment.com
Site: http://www.wesselinvestment.com
About: After having graduated with a degree in Economics, I quickly realized that I was ill-prepared for the real business world. I read Venita VanCaspel's best-selling self-help book "The Power of Money Dynamics" and discovered that the financial advice put forth by insurers and other large institutions often ran contrary to the best interests of consumers. Emmulating the author, I earned the Certified Finanial Planner(TM) licensel. As useful as that program was, however, I was disappointed to discover that investment theory comprised a relatively small portion of this two-year program. Wanting to specialize in the investment arena, I undertook the rigorous Chartered Financial Analyst(TM) program where the topic of investments is studied in one fashion or another over the course of three years. I have worked in finance for some 20 years (even overseeing an insolvent S&L for a year in a previous banking debacle) and have taught undergraduate finance courses for Florida Atlantic University. I established an investment advisory practice in 2003 and have since obtained a CPA license to help assure that any advice I render is well coordinated with the tax code. On a personal front, I play guitar (blues) and am in the process of building a 600 horsepower musclecar (a '66 Fairlane). I enjoy riding fast sportbikes and have been a lifelong sprinter.See Authors Posts (3) | May 19, 2009 | Bad Financial Advice, Financial Advisors

To win clients, advisors must establish credibility. In lieu of experience, advanced degrees, professional credentials, or a proven track record, my seat-of-the-pants experience suggests to me that less scrupulous advisors are sometimes prone to raise the importance with which they are perceived by marketing themselves using their full names and suffixes.
For those of you who [...]

By: Matthew Arndt, CFA, CPA, CFP | May 19, 2009 | Illegal Schemes & Scams, Report Fraud, The Regulators, Who Can I Trust?

Currently, the SEC is proposing a rule that would require investment advisers to provide evidence to an independent accountant proving they actually possess their clients’ assets they say they have.  The rule aims to better protect the invested dollars of those who use investment advisers.
Regulators are concerned that it is too easy to cover up [...]

By: Jack WaymirecloseAuthor: Jack Waymire Name: Jack Waymire
Email: jack@paladinregistry.com
Site: http://paladinregistry.com
About: Jack writes for the InvestorWatchdog website and Worth magazine. He worked in the financial services industry from 1976 to 2004. For twenty of those years he was the president of a Registered Investment Advisory firm and a Broker/Dealer. Jack is the author of Who's Watching Your Money? The 17 Paladin Principles for Selecting a Financial Advisor and is a co-founder of PaladinRegistry.com.See Authors Posts (87) | May 18, 2009 | The Regulators

As reported by CBS News, two SEC compliance attorneys are being investigated for insider trading. These attorneys were in a position to view sensitive company information and they may have used the data to line their own pockets.
What’s more disturbing is a report from David Kotz, the SEC’s inspector general that found the SEC "has essentially [...]

By: Jack WaymirecloseAuthor: Jack Waymire Name: Jack Waymire
Email: jack@paladinregistry.com
Site: http://paladinregistry.com
About: Jack writes for the InvestorWatchdog website and Worth magazine. He worked in the financial services industry from 1976 to 2004. For twenty of those years he was the president of a Registered Investment Advisory firm and a Broker/Dealer. Jack is the author of Who's Watching Your Money? The 17 Paladin Principles for Selecting a Financial Advisor and is a co-founder of PaladinRegistry.com.See Authors Posts (87) | May 18, 2009 | Investor Information, Wall Street Ethics

Investor have lost trillions of dollars of market value since the stock market crash began in October, 2007. In fact, some investors lost as much as 65% of their assets.
Consequently, there is no way you can say investors, who relied on the advice and recommendations of financial advisors and investment sales representatives, have won anything. Their huge losses speak for [...]

By: Bryan BeattycloseAuthor: Bryan Beatty Name: Bryan Beatty
Member: Member Paladin
Quality Rating:
Email: bbeatty@ebwllc.com
Site: http://paladinregistry.com/external/beaninformedinvestor/advisor_profile.php?advisor_id=1967
About: Bryan is a 1991 graduate of University of MD with a BS in Finance where he was the President of the Finance, Banking and Investment Society. He is a Certified Financial Planner TM (CFP) Practitioner and a member of the Financial Planning Association. Bryan has been assisting clients in all aspects of investment and retirement planning since 1992. An avid lifelong musician Bryan plays guitar and writes music in his spare time and occasional plays area venues. Originally from Baltimore MD, Bryan has lived in Northern Virginia since 1992. Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards Inc. owns the certification marks CFP®, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ and which it awards to individuals who successfully complete initial and ongoing certification requirements.See Authors Posts (5) | May 15, 2009 | Bad Products & Services, Investment Performance

I watch too much TV that is for sure. I am positive the most often run commercial is for gold. Why is that even important? I think that is a fair question. I want you to think back to the last time everyone could make money in real estate was the most aired commercial. One [...]