Fidelity Investments said Roth individual retirement account conversions rose fourfold at the firm in 2010 as investors became better informed about minimizing their tax obligations in retirement — with some help from Fidelity financial advisers.

Whether they call it "aggressive recruiting" or poaching, financial services companies across the board are predicting the practice will intensify in the coming year, forcing many of them to sweeten their offers and actively seek out skilled professionals both within and outside the industry.

Despite the hype around Bill Gates' and Warren Buffett's Giving Pledge last year, the 50 biggest private donors in the U.S. gave less in 2010 than in any year since 2000.

The mortgage industry heads into 2019 with little relief from the market strains of the past three years. To succeed — or at least survive — lenders must confront major questions about demand, affordability and market consolidation.

The industry could see a boost in mortgage lending from regulatory changes, but other factors may slow growth.

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau issued guidance late Friday that will shield some new mortgage data from the public that lenders are required to report.

Faster payments would help the economy in general and individuals and small businesses in particular. It's time for banks to step up.

Some policymakers have been calling for a temporary halt to large bank deals while the criteria for approvals are reevaluated. Yet Congress was clear about its intention to stop regulators from holding up bank mergers, argues the head of a trade group for large financial services companies.

If there's one thing the Great Resignation has taught us it's that workers crave flexibility and autonomy. In banking, younger and midcareer executives are becoming self-employed or gravitating toward fintech.