The DOL’s fiduciary regulation was scheduled to become effective this September 23. The exemptions were scheduled to become partially effective this September 23 and fully effective September 23, 2025....more
The US Department of Labor has released its package of proposed changes to the regulation defining fiduciary advice and to the exemptions for conflicts and compensation for investment advice to plans, participants (including...more
Regulators Hit Jackpot: Off-Channel Communications - Several years before announcing the first “off-channel” communications enforcement action, the SEC and FINRA cautioned broker-dealers and investment advisers about...more
On June 15, 2022, the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) filed a complaint against California-based broker-dealer Western International Securities, Inc. (“Western”) alleging violations of Regulation Best Interest...more
The DOL has issued FAQs that generally explain PTE 2020-02 and the expanded definition of fiduciary advice. The DOL’s expanded definition of fiduciary advice was described in the preamble to PTE 2020-02...more
This series focuses on the DOL’s new fiduciary “rule”, which was effective on February 16. This, and the next several, articles look at the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) issued by the DOL to explain the fiduciary...more
On February 9, by a vote of three to one, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) proposed five sweeping new rules governing private funds. The comment period on the proposal expires 60 days from February 9 or 30 days...more
The DOL “Fiduciary Rule,” FAQ 15: Factors to Evaluate for a Rollover Recommendation (Part 2) - This series focuses on the DOL’s new fiduciary “rule”, which was effective on February 16. This, and the next several, articles...more
The DOL “Fiduciary Rule,” FAQ 13: Written Acknowledgement of Fiduciary Status - This series focuses on the DOL’s new fiduciary “rule”, which was effective on February 16. This, and the next several, articles look at the...more
The DOL “Fiduciary Rule,” FAQ 11: The Impartial Conduct Standards - This series focuses on the DOL’s new fiduciary “rule”, which was effective on February 16. This, and the next several, articles look at the Frequently...more
The Department of Labor’s “Fiduciary Rule,” PTE 2020-02: The FAQs - This series focuses on the DOL’s new fiduciary “rule”, which was effective on February 16. This, and the next several, articles look at the Frequently...more
The Department of Labor’s “Fiduciary Rule,” PTE 2020-02 (Part 12): The Requirement that Investment Advisers and Broker-Dealers to Receive No More Than Reasonable Compensation - On February 16, 2021, the DOL’s prohibited...more
Overview The U.S. Department of Labor (the “DOL”) on December 15, 2020 issued a release (the “Release”) finalizing Prohibited Transaction Class Exemption (“PTCE”) 2020-2 (the “Final Exemption”) for retirement accounts...more
With SEC Regulation Best Interest (“Reg-BI”) effective as of June 30, 2020, SEC examiners will now focus on whether firms have made a good faith effort to implement policies and procedures (“P&Ps”) that are necessary for...more
The Securities and Exchange Commission will hold a roundtable discussion on October 26, 2020 that will focus on Regulation Best Interest and Form CRS. The roundtable will discuss initial observations regarding...more
Regulation Best Interest: Best Interest and Suitability—How They Differ (Part 4) - Regulation Best Interest (Reg BI) imposes a “best interest” standard of care on broker-dealers for their recommendations of securities and...more
Regulation Best Interest: Best Interest and Suitability—How They Differ (Part 2) - Regulation Best Interest (Reg BI) imposes a “best interest” standard of care on broker-dealers for their recommendations of securities and...more
On July 22, 2020, the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) published supplementary guidance in the form of a policy statement (Policy Statement) regarding the proxy voting responsibilities of investment advisers under...more
In XY Planning Network, LLC, et al. v. SEC, et al., the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit rejected a challenge to Regulation Best Interest brought by an organization of investment advisers, an individual...more
The U.S. Department of Labor’s (the “DOL”) new “fiduciary rule” package, issued on June 29, 2020, and published in the Federal Register on July 7, 2020, has three important components...more
Designed to protect retail investors from conflicts of interest, the SEC's new Regulation Best Interest, known as Reg BI, and related rules take effect on June 30, 2020. Every SEC-registered investment adviser and...more
On June 15, Jay Clayton, the Chairman of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) re-confirmed there will be no delay in the compliance date for Regulation Best Interest and Form CRS. In the statement, Chairman...more
Effective June 30, SEC Reg. BI requires broker-dealers to make recommendations only in the “best interests” of retail customers, imposing additional disclosure, care, conflicts-of-interest and compliance obligations....more