DoL

FPA leaders say they are sounding out members and looking at where the proposals may fall short of needed investor protections.

The influential retiree advocacy group filed for a 17-judge review of the decision.

New legal analysis suggests that the rules would add "teeth" to broker-dealer regulation.

The regulator's proposal is set to remake compliance standards for brokers and advisors.

By requiring brokers to look out for clients’ best interests, the SEC is effectively requiring them to give financial advice, which distinguishes them from online brokers and should let them keep charging clients premium fees.

Jamie Price doesn’t expect the firm's advisors to have any problem with a new standard after taking steps to comply with the more restrictive DOL rule.

“The broker-dealer world has tried to hang their hat on suitability, and if you close your eyes a little and squint, they almost look like fiduciaries — but not really,” one advisor says.

If it's not uniform, and it's not a fiduciary standard, then it is at best a modest step forward, investor advocates say.

It appears the regulator bought into the investor choice argument of sales reps right from the beginning.

New rules recognize the fact that commission-based transaction services can be the most cost effective way for Main Street investors to receive financial advice.