Regulatory reform

Even as the board seeks stricter fiduciary rules, there are concerns about loopholes on conflicts and commissions.

It allows more flexibility than some may think, according to executives from the two firms.

The legislation ― called the Financial Choice Act ― has little chance of passing the Senate in its current form.

The truth is, many investors would be horrified to learn the true extent of the fees they pay.

With the Labor Department and SEC signaling further potential changes in the regulatory framework, here's what advisers need to know now.

Labor Secretary Alexander Acosta may have left a little wiggle room for future revisions.

Seeking more help from the industry, the regulator emphasizes a process that offers leniency for firms that proactively report and fix compliance failures.

There is "no principled legal basis" to do so, Labor Secretary Acosta says.

The regulator wants the exam process to be a dialogue with firms and advisers.

Robert Cook detailed his multi-year overhaul aimed at easing compliance, revisiting old rules and rooting out bad actors.