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Each year fraudsters are stealing millions of dollars through sophisticated fraudulent use of Email Compromise Scams targeted at individuals and employees who regularly perform wire transfers. The scam involves a fraudster creating a false email or alternatively, hacking into a real email account of an executive, business partner, employee or finan...

As a result of the Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, the private family trust company (PFTC) has becomie a very popular vehicle to provide not only Family Office SEC exemption but also trust administration to the ultra wealthy inter-generationally and several additional tax and non-tax advantages. This memo identifies several of ...

Bruce Golden of Accel Partners has been recognized as one of the top 100 venture capitalists in Forbes’ Midas List of tech investors. He also sits on the boards of several public and private companies. In a recent interview, he shared his perspective as both a board member and investor, and explained how communication and measurement are the ...

The SEC can conduct an exam of a registered investment advisor at any time, for any reason, announced or unannounced. It can be a stressful experience for the firm, with significant time and labor costs and the potential for business disruption. However, much of that stress, disruption and expense can be mitigated if a firm is prepared for an exam.

Wealth management decisions carry an inherent risk for all investors but especially for ultra-wealthy families that require the services of a range of providers. Regardless of the advisory firm a family selects, it’s in the family’s best interest to ensure that, above all, the firm adheres to five core fiduciary principles of wealth man...

The subject of cloud computing is often clouded, so to speak, by a lot of technical terminology and marketing hype. Here, the authors explain what cloud computing is, describe the different forms in which it comes, identify how it can be useful and address the most common concerns and pitfalls of moving to the cloud.

Technology has always outpaced regulation, and social media is no exception. This paper examines the main social media outlets, provides tips for advisors that choose to navigate these sites and lays out a best practices framework for developing a comprehensive social media policy.

Amid the rapid development of more and increasingly sophisticated financial products and services, there is still a place in the market for what the author describes as traditional banks – those long-trusted institutions on which family offices and financial advisors count for straightforward deposit and loan services.

For wealth management organizations, the slow growth in number and assets of their target client pool is disconcerting news after a brief period of great opportunity for those firms with the proper skills and support infrastructure. The challenge going forward will be to demonstrate to existing and prospective clients that they can provide a compel...

Following a survey in which 83 percent of employers reported that the average age of their workforce increased in the past decade, the author, who has practiced labor law for three decades, offers four tips for employers who are challenged by a workforce that may include as many as four different generations of workers.

Many employers have implemented wellness programs to help contain health plan costs and decrease absenteeism. While many of these programs have existed for some time, new regulations issued by the Departments of Labor, Treasury and Health & Human Services require plan sponsors to modify wellness programs for plan years beginning on or after Jan...

In light of the increased cyber fraud of email accounts, firms should adopt client callout practices to confirm third-party wire requests received through email. Faxes, voice mail messages and emails should not be used to verify wire transactions. Client education makes these types of money movement controls more acceptable and encourages clients t...

Examine how to select the best insurer for a private art collection in order that it may be preserved and protected for future generations. This paper delves into the causes of some of the most expensive art claims paid out to collectors and how families can take a more pro-active role in reducing the risk of loss and ...

Wealth management and tax planning, done right, require care and a thoughtful approach. Helping you be vigilant in these and all other aspects is the purpose of this guide, which walks you through the key concepts and approaches pertaining to tax planning, investing, charitable giving, estate and gift planning, business succession, family meetings,...

Donors take care in planning their charitable giving over a number of years. As those plans unfold, however, natural disasters or tragic events can become an unexpected priority for giving. Ensuring that contributions provide the support intended by donors is not as straightforward as it may seem. Knowing the pitfalls that dot the landscape of...