Following an election that resulted in narrow Democratic majorities in the House and Senate, it will be difficult for the U.S. Congress to advance major financial-reform legislation. Therefore, the focus this year will be on the Securities and Exchange Commission, which will have a Democratic majority on its five-member panel during the Biden administration, according to panelists on a Feb. 18 InvestmentNews webinar.
“The primary focus of Congress will be to provide political space for [Biden’s] new regulators to operate and to shine a light on the work the SEC and [Consumer Financial Protection Bureau] can do to make things better for investors and consumers,” said Maryland Securities Commissioner Melanie Senter Lubin.
Ken Bentsen Jr., chief executive of the Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association, and Barbara Roper, director of investor protection at the Consumer Federation of America, were the other two panelists on the one-hour webcast.
[Watch: View the entire one-hour webcast]
Among the topics covered in the wide-ranging conversation were:
The new offerings, including managed options on Franklin's canvas platform, come as managed account assets surge in the US to hit $13.7 trillion.
Meanwhile, Raymond James bolstered its employee advisor arm with an industry veteran who previously oversaw $750 million at Stifel.
Staffing shortfalls, new policies, and increased demand for clarity create potential speed bumps for tax planning and compliance.
Osaic's expanded partnership with the Arizona-based firm advances its broader strategy to offer succession-focused planning solutions to retiring advisors.
Focus is reportedly on a three year period from 2021-2024.
Orion's Tom Wilson on delivering coordinated, high-touch service in a world where returns alone no longer set you apart.
Barely a decade old, registered index-linked annuities have quickly surged in popularity, thanks to their unique blend of protection and growth potential—an appealing option for investors looking to chart a steadier course through today's choppy market waters, says Myles Lambert, Brighthouse Financial.
