Regulatory reform

It's cheers for pro bono advisors and people working to diversify the industry, and jeers for planners who defraud the elderly and big firms that let their regulatory responsibilities slip.

Industry watchdogs weren't concerned only about hot topics like artificial intelligence and cybersecurity but also remote work policies and the ability of brokers to clear their names.

New requirement calls on firms to report hacks within four days of deciding that the attacks are of material interest to shareholders.

Electronic messaging, Reg BI, crypto and fraud all appeared at the top of regulators' agenda this past year.

The doubts raised over the broker-dealer self-regulator's authority come amid a general questioning of the federal government's oversight powers.

A new report finds that contract clauses forcing investors' cases into private forums too often stack the deck in favor of firms.

Amid industry crackdown, some say they are beginning to see a way forward for digital asset firms that want to stay on the right side of the law.

A lawyer representing hedge fund manager George Jarkesy argues the dispute could be solved simply by letting defendants choose to take their cases to regular courts.

The broker-dealer regulator's proposal would fall in line with similar leeway granted to advisors under the SEC's marketing rule.

The proposals would let firms sign up for a pilot program to test remote branch inspections and require less frequent in-person exams of supervisors' home offices.

In a letter, 18 financial services organizations note the Biden Administration had nearly three years to formulate its proposal for retirement advisors. But they get only 60 days to comment.

The policy change is meant to give others in the industry insight into what drives its ethics and compliance decisions.

NASAA, PIABA and stock exchanges argue the demise of the self-regulator would leave an unfillable hole in securities regulation.

Legal experts think these challenges to the agency's constitutionality, virtually unthinkable a decade ago, now have a chance of success.

Chairman Gary Gensler draws attention to high-profile cases over WhatsApp and other messenger communications as well as the need for crypto regulation.

A new report by the investor advocate bar finds most brokers seeking purges of past customer complaints go unchallenged by securities watchdogs and aggrieved clients.

Regulators promise to pay special attention to how firms are using technology to not only guide investments but also to protect client data.

Regulators are likley to enter into dialogue with industry about the best way to proceed.

Firms and industry groups warn that the regulator's proposal for reining in robo-advisors and sophisticated investing algorithms would step on their fiduciary duties and Regulation Best Interest.

Mandating the use of pricey arbitrators for retail investor complaints makes no sense — other than to make the process prohibitively expensive, argue two investor advocates.