Advisors who work with retirement plans must know the difference in compliance regulations related to the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, writes Deborah Castellani of Akros Fiduciary Management. She offers a primer on how Securities and Exchange Commission and Financial Industry Regulatory Authority rules can differ when it comes to meeting ERISA requirements.

Virtual meetings are becoming more common, and this trend is good for advisors and clients, writes Jud Mackrill of Carson Group. He suggests firms begin by identifying clients who might be open to virtual meetings and testing different software platforms.

Financial advisors can build a successful practice by focusing on serving medical professionals, writes Ari Rastegar of Rastegar Property. He discusses their unique needs and strategies for tapping into this niche.

The vast array of fintech options is hurting not helping financial advisors, writes Anders Jones, co-founder and CEO of Facet Wealth. He argues that advisors need full-stack solutions and predicts industry consolidation as fintech companies seek to provide them.

The US, Mexico and Canada have reached an agreement on a replacement to the North American Free Trade Agreement, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said. The new deal is said to be more protectionist and labor-friendly than its predecessor.

Tax experts offer 16 year-end strategies that can help reduce your client's next tax bill. They include prepaying real estate taxes, taking advantage of renewable energy tax credits and bunching charitable contributions.

Bankruptcy among senior citizens is on the rise, and financial advisors can play a crucial role in helping clients avoid this fate, writes Tom Burmeister of Advicent. He suggests advisors urge clients to pay down debt, help them get a handle on government benefits and use planning software to predict cash flow during retirement.

For two years in a row, a TD Wealth survey has identified family conflict as the leading threat to the estate planning process. The potential for conflict is higher among blended families, writes TD Wealth's Raymond Radigan, and he offers strategies that may mitigate it.

If your firm seems to be doing well and your clients seem "satisfied," that's the perfect opportunity to redouble your efforts to become even better, writes John L. Evans Jr. In this competitive industry, it's key that your firm stands out by providing extraordinary service, he writes while offering several tips aimed at putting distance between you and everyone else.

US Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin has told lawmakers proposals to introduce a financial-transaction tax on certain trades could harm capital markets. "I am very concerned that that would destroy our capital markets, and the cost to American holders of mutual funds would bear the majority of the cost," Mnuchin said.