Advisor News

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REGULATION AND LEGISLATION JUL 28, 2011
Buzz: Finra sounds the alarm about these three investments

Finra has warned investors about chasing yield with structured products, junk bonds and floating-rate bank-loan funds.

By Doug Cubberley
REGULATION AND LEGISLATION JUL 28, 2011
SEC blasts B-Ds

Broker-dealers have been engaging in sales practices for structured securities products that hurt retail investors, according to an SEC report.

By Mark Bruno
Cost of U.S. downgrade? It's a big tab
REGULATION AND LEGISLATION JUL 28, 2011
Cost of U.S. downgrade? It's a big tab

Moody's estimates loss of AAA rating would add $100B to Uncle Sam's carrying costs; impact on Treasuries 'significant'

By John Goff
Massachusetts suing RBC Capital, rep over leveraged ETF sale
ETFS JUL 28, 2011
Massachusetts suing RBC Capital, rep over leveraged ETF sale

Massachusetts' top securities regulator is suing RBC Capital Markets LLC and one of its former registered representatives over the sale of leveraged exchange-traded funds, saying they sold them to clients who didn't understand how the investments worked.

By Doug Cubberley
SEC makes it official: Adviser switch delayed until March 30
PRACTICE MANAGEMENT JUL 28, 2011
SEC makes it official: Adviser switch delayed until March 30

Investment advisers who must migrate from regulation by the Securities and Exchange Commission to state oversight now will have extra time to make the transition.

By Mark Schoeff Jr. and Dan Jamieson
REGULATION AND LEGISLATION JUL 28, 2011
'Madoff' audits will crimp broker-dealers

An SEC rule proposal intended to thwart the likes of Bernard Madoff likely would result in significantly higher compliance costs for smaller broker-dealers.

By Mark Schoeff Jr.
FINTECH JUL 27, 2011
Raymond James to launch annuity matchmaking tool

New software tool will help advisers scan for the best variable annuity option for a client.

By Darla Mercado
ETFS JUL 27, 2011
Mass. blasts RBC for ETF sales

Addressing an issue that many thought had been resolved several years ago, Massachusetts last week filed an administrative complaint against RBC Capital Markets LLC and one of its former brokers, Michael Zukowski, for “dishonest practices in selling leveraged and inverse leveraged ETFs"

By Andrew Osterland
RETIREMENT PLANNING JUL 27, 2011
Top-rated states face credit downgrade

Moody's places five Aaa issuers under review for possible downgrades. The reason? The states are vulnerable to cuts in federal spending, the rating agency says.

By John Goff
Land of the fee: Advisers seen switching revenue model ahead of fiduciary rewrite
REGULATION AND LEGISLATION JUL 27, 2011
Land of the fee: Advisers seen switching revenue model ahead of fiduciary rewrite

MSSB big Charles Johnston says move to fee-based model has been ongoing for six months; dubbed 'safe harbor' by RBC's Taft

By Mark Schoeff Jr.
Merrill hit for $880K arbitration award
EQUITIES JUL 27, 2011
Merrill hit for $880K arbitration award

Clients of a prominent Bank of America Merrill Lynch broker have won an $880,000 arbitration award against the firm.

By Dan Jamieson
UBS to pay ex-76ers owner $2M over sale of '100% principal-protected' notes
REGULATION AND LEGISLATION JUL 27, 2011
UBS to pay ex-76ers owner $2M over sale of '100% principal-protected' notes

Notes didn't protect Croce's principal -- once issuer Lehman went belly up; at least 40 cases still pending

By John Goff
Provident mess lands on Fidelity's doorstep
REGULATION AND LEGISLATION JUL 27, 2011
Provident mess lands on Fidelity's doorstep

Trustee petitions judge to issue subpoena to fund firm's National Financial Services unit; examining the money trail

By Bruce Kelly
SEC lets whistle-blowers bypass internal programs
REGULATION AND LEGISLATION JUL 27, 2011
SEC lets whistle-blowers bypass internal programs

Whistle-blowers can collect as much as 30% of penalties when they report wrongdoing, even when they bypass their internal complaint systems.

By Doug Cubberley
With registration looming, many hedge funds say they'll follow Soros
ALTERNATIVES JUL 26, 2011
With registration looming, many hedge funds say they'll follow Soros

With registration requirements looming, more hedge fund managers are likely to follow George Soros in opting for the family office structure over the red tape of running a hedge fund.

By Jeff Benjamin
REGULATION AND LEGISLATION JUL 26, 2011
Ketchum on exams, VAs and fiduciary standard

By mlanche
Automatic for the people: Fund firms back digital statements as default for retirement plans
RETIREMENT PLANNING JUL 26, 2011
Automatic for the people: Fund firms back digital statements as default for retirement plans

Plan sponsors should be able to send retirement plan info to employees digitally without getting permission, industry groups argue

By Mark Schoeff Jr.
Fund firms on 401(k) fee disclosure deadline: More time, please
RETIREMENT PLANNING JUL 26, 2011
Fund firms on 401(k) fee disclosure deadline: More time, please

DOL's latest start date — Jan. 1 — still too soon, industry group contends

By Darla Mercado
REGULATION AND LEGISLATION JUL 26, 2011
Phyllis Borzi: Protecting the Everyman's benefits

Phyllis Borzi has come a long way since her days as a high school English teacher.

By Liz Skinner
REGULATION AND LEGISLATION JUL 26, 2011
Securities America settles with state in conditional resolution of Reg D mess

Putting an end to a bitter dispute over the sale of failed private placements, Securities America Inc. has agreed to make whole 63 Massachusetts clients who bought $5 million of failed notes issued by Medical Capital Holdings Inc.

By Bruce Kelly