IMCA delivers a twice-monthly electronic newsletter to all IMCA members. IMCA news, conference and designation alerts, and membership information all are summarized for your convenience. Below you will find headlines from the current issue and links to past issues of IMCA's eNews. Click here to view the current issue online.

Roth Conversions Taking Off in 2010
Some fear fund companies are pushing the IRAs too aggressively in pursuit of fees, commissions
Upper-income investors are taking advantage of a change in the tax law and rushing to convert their traditional individual retirement accounts or old 401(k) plans into Roth IRAs, according to an informal survey of investment companies. New rules took effect Jan. 1 that allow those who earn more than $100,000 annually to convert to Roth IRAs. Previously, only people who earned less than that amount could convert. Continue reading…

Lock 'n' Load: Taking Target Funds Tactical
Several big fund firms are revamping life cycle offerings to allow for more active management
Against the backdrop of consumer outrage over huge losses in target date portfolios, a handful of big fund companies are revamping their target date offerings in hopes of limiting risk—and preventing another major blowup. AllianceBernstein LP, Van Kampen Funds Inc., Invesco Ltd. and Putnam Investments have all announced changes to their target date portfolios that will enable managers to provide more active management. In some cases, the funds now will allow managers to move in and out of different asset classes more quickly during market fluctuations. Continue reading…

Dodd Seen Scrapping Fiduciary Requirement for Brokers in Proposal
Senate Banking Committee Chairman Christopher Dodd, D-Conn., is expected to introduce new financial reform legislation this week that excludes applying a fiduciary standard to brokers offering investment advice. The provision was circulated three weeks ago by Sen. Tim Johnson, D-S.D., a Banking Committee member. Rather than classifying certain brokers as registered investment advisers, his proposal would require the Securities and Exchange Commission to conduct a study of regulatory standards for brokers and advisers, and then propose rules on the issue. Continue reading… 

Estate Tax Expiration Another Blow to Reeling Charities
Repeal may encourage wealthy to leave more money to heirs
Charities are getting increasingly nervous that the repeal of the estate tax may mean fewer donations this year from wealthy investors who opt instead to leave their estates to their families. The estate tax expired Jan. 1 but is slated to be reinstated next year—at a rate of 55%. That window means that heirs who enter probate court due to a death this year escape last year's federal tax of up to 45% on estates valued at $3.5 million or more. Continue reading…

Originally published March 2, 2010. Displayed with Permission of InvestmentNews. Copyright Crain Communications Inc.

eNews Archives - past issues

February 17, 2010--Advanced CIMA Workshop Now Open for Registration
February 2, 2010--Serve your Clients at the Next Level with the CPWA Designation
January 19, 2010--New York Consultants Conference Makes Headlines
January 5, 2010--Transaction Tax Would Take Big Bite Out of Fund Returns
December 15, 2009--Register Now for CE Opportunities Throughout 2010
December 2, 2009--IMCA Announces New Board Leadership
November 18, 2009--A Rosy Quarter for Assets Under Management
November 3, 2009--Update on the Investor Protection Act of 2009
October 21, 2009--Finra Goes After Trading Tax Dodges
October 6, 2009--Fall Professional Development Conference Makes Headlines
September 15, 2009--Learn How Regulatory Reform Efforts May Impact You
September 1, 2009--CIMA Certification Featured in New York Times