Jonathan Citrin

In 1933, the United States Congress enacted the Glass-Steagall Act (GSA). The Act, along with a later addition known as the Bank Holding Company Act, drew a very thick line between commercial banking, investment banking, and insurance underwriting.

It has been said that compound interest is the most powerful force in the universe. This mathematical concept is talked about often in investment circles, and even had its magnificent power famously declared by Albert Einstein

Few topics of economic concern have driven recent markets as much as inflation.

Call it irony, fate, or just plain bad luck, the baby boomer generation — the one that Tom Brokaw dubbed the “Greatest Generation" — can now also be known as the most vulnerable.

As a dog owner, animal activist, and someone not so fond of the abundance of reality television (I couldn't care less about the real housewives of here, there, or anywhere!)

Recently, while having coffee with a friend, I was reminded of six important words of advice uttered to me early in my career.

In literature we speak of comedy versus tragedy. Comedy represents an inherent conflict that is eventually resolved and life returns to its normal rhythm.

In finance, many spend countless hours and money researching trends, patterns, and sentiment. We pour ourselves into data — attempting to find a morsel of indication. Will an asset appreciate? Will a company succeed? Will gold continue to rise?

On December 17, 2010, Moody's Investors Service downgraded its credit rating on Ireland by five notches (from Aa2 to Baa1). Given the country’s recent financial calamity, and throughout the entire European Union (EU), Moody's action seemed quite appropriate.

As election season finally finds its end, we are immediately left with a void once filled by political commercials and a 24-hour news cycle stuffed full of Palin and Obama. The question quickly arises, “What is one to do between now and next November?”