The Bank of Canada has been researching the possibility of issuing its own digital currency that would offer "all the convenience and security of wireless, electronic payments." A presentation to Bank of Canada governor Stephen Poloz and its board of directors noted that the central bank needs "to innovate to stay in the game."

Hedge fund managers are buying up Argentine assets at fire-sale prices after this summer's sell-off in hopes that values will rebound.

The Eurekahedge hedge fund index declined .30% in September, which left its year-to-date gains at 5.70%. During the same period, however, the S&P 500 has gained 20.55% and the Dow Jones Industrial Average is up 17.5%.

The Investing and Savings Alliance is evaluating vendors to create a centralized platform to assist with regulatory reporting under the EU's revised Markets in Financial Instruments Directive. TISA is expected to announce the chosen vendor on November 7.

Sales of nontraded REITs increased 179% year over year in the third quarter, reaching more than $3.2 billion, according to Robert A. Stanger & Co. However, sales decreased in September compared with August for some major nontraded REITs, according to Blue Vault.

Management of KBS Strategic Opportunity REIT, KBS Strategic Opportunity REIT II and Keppel Pacific Oak US REIT is moving to Pacific Oak Capital Advisors from KBS Capital Advisors. The move lets KBS prioritize core real estate.

Financial advisors play an important role for a client who is diagnosed with cancer or who has a loved one who is, Amanda Koplin and Martin Shenkman write. To be effective, advisors must listen, ask tough questions and help clients set boundaries, they write.

Technology is not a magic bullet for building a top advisory firm, consultant Jarrod Upton writes. Building a strong practice requires an established and documented process for serving clients, which can then help identify where specific technology may provide value, he writes.

Some advisors are pushing back against fee compression by talking to their clients about the value they deliver, particularly in retirement planning, Lee Barney writes. She highlights examples where advisors were able to negotiate fee increases.

The Texas Department of Transportation and a surety have agreed on the hiring of a contractor to finish a highway widening project in Denton. The original contractor was removed from the project after falling behind schedule, and most of the work will have to be redone, which will increase the project's cost.