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China has become a prime source of malicious computer activity, according to Finjan, a California-based provider of Web security solutions. In its December monthly report, Finjan shows the network of connections between Chinese-based servers and how hackers use it to launch spyware attacks from legitimate, even government, Web sites in Western coun...

Competitive state premium taxes and modern domestic trust laws, as well as improved domestic regulatory costs and state consumer laws for insurance policies have resulted in much larger life insurance contracts being issued onshore versus the traditional route of offshore. Consequently, types of trusts, states, insurance companies and policies all ...

A new market analysis from Fortigent LLC assesses international currency trends and offers recommendations for sophisticated investors looking to mitigate risks to their portfolios over both short- and long-term time horizons.

Life insurance policy owners should avoid projecting today's economic environment into the future, causing them to choose products that lock in long-term mortality and interest rates. A new paper from Pelagos Advisors says such a move not only ensures long-term underperformance but also sacrifices the flexibility to take advantage of conditions as ...

The ultra-wealthy oftentimes treat life insurance as a stagnant asset, buying it and then giving it only cursory reviews. This is not the wisest course of action, though, as it can lead not only to under-performing policies but also missed opportunities to increase death benefits, reduce premiums and improve the overall performance of life insuranc...

As the financial services industry works to rebound from the financial crisis, analysis of the impact on life insurance carriers, reinsurers and products continues. While carrier financial strength and market volatility remain a concern, some are seeing positive signs in the marketplace that will help to restore confidence for both existing policyh...

As insurance companies continue to face challenges due to the recent economic turmoil, many clients and advisors have expressed concern. In this environment, it is easy to lose sight of the proven policyholder protections that continue to be provided by the life insurance industry, including regulatory and third-party oversight and mechanisms to su...

Direct investment in private companies can deliver returns far exceeding those of private equity and other asset classes while also providing attractive diversification and increased control. The potential for outsize returns, however, comes with increased risk, meaning investors must carefully assess the various financial, organizational and manag...

Four basic hedging techniques – long/short, covered call, buy/write indexing and index put options – represent varying levels of risk but, used appropriately, may reduce portfolio volatility and smooth overall returns. Defensive hedging, techniques designed to protect against loss, may even be well-suited for cautious or conservative investors.

It is at the turning points, both market highs and lows, that investors can either increase or forfeit large portions of their portfolios. These are also the times when they can make the wrong decisions. But with the right frame of mind and a willingness to do what others won't, investors can take advantage of the opportunities created by volatile ...

A contingency plan helps ensure that a single or multi-family office is prepared to deal with a disaster effectively, minimizing any financial loss, reputational damage, irreparable damage to fundamental operations and legal liability. Such a plan should address continuance imperatives in three fundamental areas: personnel performance, business pro...

Effective collections security is the application of general security practices centering on concentricity, redundancy and reliability. Ultra-wealthy collectors are wise to examine the relevant work experience of prospective vendors to determine both their credentials and their ability to protect valuable items.

Protecting assets is an ever-present reality in the information age. From the courtesy checks from a credit card company to Gmail, Twitter and Facebook, there is an abundance of fertile ground for financial crime. The good news is that there are a multitude of practical tips and safeguards everyone can implement to preserve their identity and prope...

Criminal justice scholars have systematically demonstrated that subjective indicators, such as collective perceptions of economic hardship, are sufficient to influence crime rates. However, research focusing on solely objective indicators, such as unemployment rates, gross product per capita and inflation levels, has shown a murkier relationship be...

An annual survey of senior executives globally finds that theft of electronic data has overtaken physical theft as the most frequently reported fraud. The survey finds fear of fraud is dissuading companies from operating in other countries.