Look to leading financial magazines for the basics

These standby financial magazines and publications should be part of your basic library.

I recommend: The Wall Street Journal is the premier US finance publication; its website offers a wealth of financial services resources. The Economist, published in Britain, is a leader among international finance magazines, and a must-read for those in financial services. Money pairs with CNN to offer a value-added personal finance magazine. Get an overview of finance issues from Financial Week.

Find financial services industry magazines with insider tips

Financial services trade magazines cover many sectors of the financial services industry. Take advantage of a business finance magazine or magazine for financial services geared to helping you meet your customers' needs.

I recommend: If you're looking for a financial services advisor magazine, check out AdvisorMax, which calls itself "the financial advisor's advisor." On Wall Street is a financial service magazine online with a focus on the market. Try Financial Planning Magazine if you want resources for managing clients' assets.

Take advantage of finance magazines targeted to the banking industry

With the rapid changes in banking regulations and practices, this sector of the financial services industry needs all the help it can get from financial services magazines.

I recommend: SourceMedia is a leading publisher of financial services trade magazines, offering US Banker and Credit Union Journal, among others, for those in the banking sector. American Banker is another online magazine for financial services professionals from SourceMedia. Bank Investment Consultant offers advice on managing customer assets.

Keep up with industry advances with financial magazines focused on technology

A financial services technology magazine can give you the edge in putting technology to work for your business and your clients.

I recommend: Finance Tech covers technological and electronic advances in financial services. Magazines like Bank Technology News and Wall Street & Technology specialize in providing tech advice to individual sectors. Windows in Financial Services, a Microsoft financial services technology magazine, offers advice on using the operating system as a financial services tool.