Contributor: Ralston Roberts Jr

With 2012 underway, it’s clear that caution is at an all-time high among investors. This is reflected in shrinking trading volumes and tighter brokerage commissions—a sharp contrast to years past, according to major media reports. To stay ahead, brokerages across the globe will likely have to redouble their efforts to attract and keep more investors this year. Luckily, trading firms will have an array of regulatory reforms and directives, electronic trading and connectivity tools, emerging standards and some cutting-edge options at their disposal to help them attract more investors and bolster their fortunes.... read more