Wealth Think

The same competitive mindset that leads to victory in sports can give advisors the advantages they need for a successful practice, a leading recruiter says.

Voices: The DoL is restricting investor choice and casts an unnecessarily critical light on existing B-D relationships that only follow a suitability requirement.

Voices: If clients are already comfortable with DIY-investing, they could have already done so themselves with a robo advisor or low-cost brokerage.

As digital wealth platforms turn to serve advisors, the trend will help those who are ready to enhance their practices with technological tools.

"I think it’s too soon to call this version anything close to a victory for either consumers or the financial services industry," writes John Taft, CEO of RBC Wealth Management.

Voices: Exemptions for high-fee products, a prolonged compliance deadline and less-prominent disclosure requirements leaves our columnist feeling like she did on a certain Christmas morning.

To get a head start on the new rules, Janus Capital’s Matt Sommer suggests these smart moves.

Our columnist says clear standards have been set on what constitutes unconflicted advice.

The advisor often feels as if the bank's viewpoint is this: “Thanks for bringing us a revenue stream, now leave and be thankful we even gave you a job.”

Voices: The fiduciary rule is not complicated. If you don’t want the responsibility of being an advisor, don’t call yourself an advisor or imply you are one.