Fiduciary standard

Commission-based investors want to keep their accounts, regardless of the fiduciary rule.

Big firms are asking for more time, while investors and even some advisers are asking the Labor Department to keep the rule intact.

A higher standard of client care can still be enforced in the marketplace, fiduciary supporters say.

With an eye toward potential repeal, Alexander Acosta told senators that he will abide by President Trump's executive memorandum and review the rule's impact.

Nearly 60% of investors would explore changing firms if forced to switch, according to a J.D. Power study.

One planner says there's no reasonable basis for a delay, while another says he can't afford all the compliance costs.

Market forces have wrought changes that can't be repealed, according to champions of the rule.

Patricia Bennett says she visited the regional's firm home office three times before deciding to make the move.

Hope is dimming, but top Democrats like Sen. Elizabeth Warren and investor advocates are unlikely to relent in their efforts to preserve the regulation.

"To me, that rule, it was about one thing and it was about enabling trial lawyers to increase profits,” acting Chairman Michael Piwowar says.