Regulatory reform

A top FINRA enforcement official warns that firms' internal compliance systems are not clued in to the often ambiguous meanings of the symbols now peppering many financial planners' communications.

Dennis B. Levine, a central player in the 1980's most notorious insider trading scheme, benefits from the regulator's fix, but so will some everyday financial planners.

Industry groups question the wisdom of regulators seeking to have one rule on data breaches for broker-dealers and another one for advisors.

Proponents of the House of Representatives legislation argue that new regulations often fall disproportionately on financial planners that don't have formal compliance and legal departments.

Although most advisors and brokers see both pros and cons to operating outside the office, few are ready to abandon their new schedules.

FINRA argues that brokerage representatives should have the ability to keep information about private residences out of public databases.

Panelists at the self-regulator's annual conference list instances when they should document the reasons for the investment advice.

For the first time, the brokerage's self-regulatory body is citing the 3-year-old rule as a reason to remove a firm from the industry.

Securities and Exchange Commission's probe is looking the popular brokerage's compliance with recordkeeping rule.

A bill before Congress would let planners with certain securities licenses place clients' money in private markets regardless of their income or net worth.