Industry

The SEC acknowledges that cybersecurity requirements vary from one practice to the next, but insists that the tone from the top is critical.

Getting to intimately know the business and culture of CapGroup Advisors was key to this week's merger, says Michael Nathanson, chairman and chief executive of Colony Group.

This week's items of note includes a Fed warning on potential misperceptions of liquidity with ETFs, a report on clients defecting at an unprecedented rate from Pimco's developing-nation mutual funds, a study showing underlying investment fees have declined at small retirement plans, and exchange operator BATS naming a new CEO.

Nasdaq OMX is making a push to grab more ETN listings, challenging long- time market leader NYSE Arca for what can be lucrative listing and trading fees.

"I live in fear, quite honestly, of FINRA assuming the responsibility of examining investment advisors," a former SEC attorney told advisors at the Investment Adviser Association regulatory and compliance conference.

Advisors who can bring in and work with clients, wealth strategists with tax and accounting expertise and successor CEOs are in greatest demand.

For many bond managers, equities seemed like a great idea after the 2008 financial crisis. The Federal Reserve had pushed interest rates to near-zero, potentially leaving little room for bonds to appreciate and fueling a rally in stock markets that’s about to enter its seventh year.

At least three senior BofA executives with long ties to Merrill Lynch have departed the division headed by Montag since bonuses were paid last month.

The firm agreed to pay $225,000 for failing to adequately supervise its registered representatives, one of whom allegedly bilked elderly clients of over $300,000.

Raymond James & Associates tapped a former Morgan Stanley exec and RIA co-founder as regional director.