Regulatory relief

Although they praise certain changes in a rule up for SEC approval, client attorneys and researchers say the process has further flaws.

The uncertainty could lead to market volatility, delayed stimulus negotiations and complicate planning for a potentially new regulatory environment.

The change is one of several made to the board’s disciplinary reporting process following a report by an independent task force that found “systemic, long-standing, governance-level weaknesses.”

FSI aims for a pragmatic approach when advocating on behalf of more than 90 independent broker-dealers and 30,000 financial advisors, Deputy General Counsel Robin Traxler says in an episode of the Financial Planning podcast.

Only a firm “actively swindling funds” would trigger an onsite visit, according to Peter Driscoll.

The policy change may prompt more defendants to reach settlements, an attorney says.

Some attorneys say it's welcome relief, but how long will it take to get new hearing dates?

The IBD advocacy group expects no letup in enforcement by the regulator — with wide ramifications across wealth management hanging in the balance.

Even though many of its members weren’t satisfied by the SEC’s rule, NASAA praises the inclusion of a requirement to consider costs in a recommendation.

The IBD trade group launched a public campaign after more than 80 cases this year alleging inadequate disclosure of mutual fund fees and compensation.

Critical comments about Wall Street in the first debates signal an unfriendly political environment. Here are some leading candidates’ financial policy views.

TD Ameritrade’s Skip Schweiss says the proposal — if approved by the SEC this week — could alter the competitive landscape.

As New Jersey’s regulators move forward, trade groups and executives warn of increasing compliance costs.

The No. 1 IBD plans to offer training and education and team up with reps on outreach to officials.

“The board's record of summarily approving mergers raises doubts about whether it will serve as a meaningful check on this consolidation that creates a new too big to fail bank,” Sen. Elizabeth Warren said in a letter to the Fed.

House Financial Services Chairwoman Maxine Waters said the merger is a direct result of a regulatory relief bill that was signed into law in May.

A new FINRA initiative to root out breaches of supervisory rules on 529 plans provoked criticism from the IBD advocacy group.

The regulator is living up to its promise to overhaul exams and engage more — and one potential rule in the works would be “monumental," according to the IBD.

Several Senate, House and gubernatorial battles are of interest to financial firms. Here is a spotlight on specific contests, with updates as they become available.

While the IBD advocacy organization supports the proposal’s approach, key questions loom over the timeline and makeup of the potential regulation.