Regulation

In their zeal to comply with the Labor Department's fiduciary rule, firms could find themselves in regulatory hot water for reverse churning.

"His lies, piled on one after another, have led to today’s substantial and serious charges," U.S. Attorney Peter Neronha said.

Global assets in the funds have surged 37% this year and prices are near a two-year high.

Legislation passed by the House offers advisers protection against liability.

Backed by the considerable resources of Manulife Financial, Hancock wants to be a player in an altered IBD marketplace.

Regulatory and industry changes are driving some advisers to rethink their business model, writes recruiter Mark Elzweig.

The 81-year-old widower also won an additional $12,000 for his elderly friend in a FINRA arbitration proceeding.

The firm settled charges by Vermont securities regulators connected to a ski resort at the center of an alleged $200 million fraud. A related lawsuit filed by an SEC-appointed receiver is pending.

Plus, why matching clients with brokers of their race, religion or ethnicity might not meet the legal threshold for affinity fraud.

The firm is of two minds on the issue: It can hire whomever it wants from competitors, but many of its own advisers are off-limits.