State Farm and Edward Jones React to the Fiduciary Rule
By Mack Bekeza With April 10th, 2017 quickly approaching, a large number of investment firms and insurance agencies are scrambling to comply with the DOL fiduciary regulation. However, some firms believe they have found a solution to the upcoming rule. Knowing that their representatives cannot put their clients’ interest first, State Farm and Edward Jones […]
The DOL Rule and Why Brokers and Insurance Agents Should be Concerned
By Mack Bekeza Are you currently a Registered Representative or an Insurance agent? If so, you will want to keep reading! As you may know, the Department of Labor will have new regulations in effect on April 10, 2017, which will change how Brokers and Insurance agents conduct business with retirement investors. For starters, when […]
The People’s Best Interest…The Battle Continues
By Mack Bekeza The official ruling for “fiduciaries,” meaning people who are legally bound in the best interest of retirement investors, will not take effect until April of 2017. However, the Department of Labor (“The DOL”) has been bombarded by lawsuits. This brings us to the recent filing from the National Association for Fixed Annuities (“NAFA”) in […]
Brexit: What’s the Big Deal and What You Should Know About it?
By Mack Bekeza As you may or may not know, The United Kingdom (”UK”) has voted to leave the European Union (“EU”). For decades, the UK has argued left and right whether or not their relationship with the EU is worthwhile. Think of this as an old couple who have been constantly bickering at each […]
Coming Up: Recently Announced Money Market Reform
Friday, August 15, Michele Suriano (President of Castle Rock Investment Company) and I spoke with an industry insider and expert about the recently adopted SEC money market funds reforms. We covered the following key subjects: Floating Net Asset Value Redemption fees (discretionary and default) Discretionary redemption restrictions Disclosures to retirement plan participants Definition of “retail” MMFs […]
Water Cooler Wisdom
By: Katherine Brown, Research Associate, Castle Rock Investment Company The end of the 2nd quarter of 2014 left the global banking sector bracing from the fallout of a weak quarter. In moments of weak growth, we are reminded of the need to diversify our portfolios. Just as it is important to eat a balanced meal, […]
Water Cooler Wisdom – First Quarter 2014
A great deal happened in the world during the first quarter of 2014. The ECB may be pursuing quantitative easing, the Federal Reserve continues to send mixed messages about tapering, China is slowing down, the U.K. is set to grow the faster than any other advanced nation, and Gwyneth and Chris have split…or have they? […]
U.S. Supreme Court Decisions on Same-Sex Marriages Impact Employee Benefits
Given the recent Supreme Court rulings regarding same-sex marriages, Castle Rock Investment Company wanted to shed some light on the impact it will have employee benefits. So, we turned to the experts. Thank you to Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck, LLP for the informative information below: On June 26, 2013, the U.S. Supreme Court (the “Court”) […]