Regulatory reform

New rules recognize the fact that commission-based transaction services can be the most cost effective way for Main Street investors to receive financial advice.

New rules would set standards of conduct for brokers, require new disclosures and offer interpretive guidance for fiduciary advisors.

The commission's approach stands a good chance of superseding the Labor Department's fiduciary rule.

Instead of harmonizing standards of client care across the industry, it may be better to re-differentiate them in light of the fiduciary rule's recent court loss.

After a federal appeals court strikes down the fiduciary rule, a legal path forward seems uncertain, but the regulation has already made its mark.

Merrill Lynch, UBS and others made considerable alterations to policies and procedures in order to be compliant with the Labor Department regulation.

Even after a federal appeals court struck down the rule, more clashes over the regulation of sales versus advice are inevitable.

Industry insiders see the agency proceeding with its rule to harmonize standards for brokers and advisors.

The Department of Labor has an incentive to defend its rule-making authority even though it is considering revisions to the regulation.

A federal court has struck down the rule and the industry’s top online advice executives are speaking out.

Focus turns to the SEC as it considers creating its own higher standard of client care.

With the SEC and Labor Department rethinking their approach to a higher standard, a court's recent ruling may not have a lasting impact.

Citing mounting investor losses from unpaid arbitration awards, investor advocates see a role for Congress to force FINRA's hand.

The regulator proposed rule changes that will make it considerably more difficult for advisors to erase customer complaints from their disciplinary records.

The new law will affect how financial advisors and clients evaluate the pros and cons.

Expenses are rising, but revenue is flat as the regulator holds off on raising member fees.

Critics say the practice of using non-attorneys, some with criminal records, to represent investors often makes their problems worse. Advocates say it's cheaper.

"Maybe commissions aren’t so evil after all?"

Advisors have gotten caught in the crossfire: politicians have errantly assumed that 100% of advisory firm earnings are wage compensation .

The industry has resisted the SEC’s Consolidated Audit Trail surveillance system ― dubbed CAT ― in its current form based on cybersecurity concerns.