Fiduciary standard

The regulation permits more exemptions from fiduciary duties, but may itself be replaced by the incoming Biden administration.

Existing regulations that protect investors and deliver clarity to the industry must be preserved by the incoming administration, writes Financial Services Institute CEO Dale Brown.

With a new administration, the regulator has an opportunity to renew its focus on a key pillar of its mission.

Big changes to regulations and retirement planning could be in the mix following the Democrat’s election victory.

Insiders see a Democratic administration backing tightened investor protections as industry advocates look to tax legislation.

Director tenures, nominations and committees are changing after an independent task force identified weaknesses.

Expenses fell by 20 basis points and risk-adjusted returns climbed 92 bps, according to the study.

Tools from Betterment, Vestwell and FiduciaryShield make it easy for planners to become retirement plan advisors, but they need to think twice before jumping in.

More than 95% of comment letters submitted were opposed to the Labor Department’s proposed rule, according to a new analysis.

Ben Meng’s downfall raises questions about who would succeed him in a job that attracts so much unwelcome attention, not to mention navigate a pandemic.

Industry groups warn of creeping fiduciary obligations, while consumer advocates see it as a setback for investor protections

The party’s draft party platform criticizes lax standards implemented by the Trump administration, and vows to strengthen Social Security.

The current proposal “would lead to worse outcomes for plan participants as plan sponsors shied away from assessing ESG risks in selecting investments,” the research firm says.

Northwestern Mutual’s practices raise difficult questions about the nature of retail advice just as wealth management faces greater scrutiny under new rules.

The Labor Department’s short comment period is one reason to get up to speed, fast.

The announcement was welcomed by Wall Street lobbying groups, some of whom sued to vacate the Obama-era regulation.

A Democratic-led SEC could revisit Reg BI, advocacy groups and industry observers say.

Many financial advisors aren’t aware of serious conflicts of interest affecting the majority of retail clients, Northeastern University Professor Nicole Boyson says in a Financial Planning Podcast.

Firms are spending millions to comply with a controversial rule that is facing a legal challenge while state regulators push their own stringent regulations.

The firm detailed its strategy for complying with the SEC’s regulation ahead of its June 30 enforcement date.