RIAs

In addition to voluminous recordkeeping, due diligence and expense, what constitutes a "covered function" may vary from firm to firm.

Don Plaus, a Merrill veteran who oversaw the Private Wealth advisors' expansion in Florida, came from a "modest background" but over a long career, rose to lead teams advising many of the world's richest people.

The founders of the Financial Professionals Coalition contend that most industry groups back firms and big players. They plan to stand up for the little guy.

The Finra report suggests that advisors looking to tap into these clients will find savers with improved financial capabilities.

Lawyers and compliance experts say advisors and brokers should still put clients' interests first when considering taking money out of a 401(k).

An expanded base of partner RIAs fueled soaring net income and rising debt for the publicly traded aggregator, which is expected to go private at $4.1 billion.

A proposed amendment to the Investment Advisers Act would require planners to vet third-party custodians before entrusting them with clients' cryptocurrency, real estate or other alternative investments.

Kathryn Dattomo will take over next month from a leader who doubled the planner group's membership and led efforts to enforce strict fiduciary standards.

The current share of 84% of the industry's holdings at Charles Schwab, Fidelity, Pershing and LPL may not stay so big forever, according to Cerulli Associates.

James Lee says title protection for advisors would be a huge step toward making financial planning 'the most important authentic profession of the 21st century.'