Compliance

DoL regulators say they allowed for annuities and nontraded REITs in retirement accounts because they wanted to avoid the risk of clients taking heavy losses by exiting certain investments precipitously.

New CFPB rules may prompt more class-action suits against retail banks, aiding advisors and their clients.

Head of Wall Street trade group calls Labor Department's final fiduciary rule an "exceedingly prescriptive" regulation that will tie up compliance departments for months.

Imposing a new arbitration clause, without any input on the process, is deeply disconcerting, writes our columnist.

Ameriprise lost several arbitration cases in attempt to claw back more than $800,000 in stock awards the firm gave to two former employees.

The rep refused to cooperate with a FINRA investigation into allegations that he stole money from retail bank customers.

Voices: Exemptions for high-fee products, a prolonged compliance deadline and less-prominent disclosure requirements leaves our columnist feeling like she did on a certain Christmas morning.

To get a head start on the new rules, Janus Capital’s Matt Sommer suggests these smart moves.

From ‘a darkness sweeping over the realm,’ to ‘the right thing to do,’ advisors and experts debate the changes wrought by a new fiduciary rule.

Our columnist says clear standards have been set on what constitutes unconflicted advice.

The Labor Department finalized an amended version of its fiduciary rule, providing wealth management firms a lengthier timeline for implementation as well as more relaxed requirements for the best interest contract exemption.

Jim Weddle, head of the firm, says the new regulation "will increase the public's trust and confidence in what we do for them."

Exclusive: Top Labor official says, “If we think there is some continued abuse that hasn't been adequately addressed, we'll figure out what to do."

While much of the wealth management industry cautiously mulled over the potential impact of the fiduciary rule, digital-first firms were quick to celebrate.

Merrill Lynch's John Thiel was pleased the new regulation addresses several "practical concerns" made during the comment period.

Banks and credit unions are not prepared for the onslaught of change that began Wednesday.

Industry groups takes side on the newly issued fiduciary rule.

Rep. Ann Wagner of Missouri called on Congress "to stop this ill-advised rule."

“A great win for the middle class," a proponent says, as others note the changes already occurring at planning firms.

Voices: The fiduciary rule is not complicated. If you don’t want the responsibility of being an advisor, don’t call yourself an advisor or imply you are one.