The Stakes Are High in the Fiduciary Standards Debate

On Tuesday, I was invited by Bernie Clark, the head of Schwab Advisor Services to meet with several members of Congress to discuss two of the most important issues facing Registered Investment Advisors (RIAs) – one that could potentially change the very meaning of the Fiduciary Standard. As an RIA and a fee-only advisory firm, we are held to the Fiduciary Standard and must do what is in the “best interest of the client.” However, this standard might fall victim to the SEC’s efforts to impose a Uniform Standard of Care for RIAs and broker/dealers. Why is this important for clients? Read my article in Financial Planning.

From left: Jeff Brown, Senior Vice President of Legislative and Regulatory Affairs at Charles Schwab; Barry Glassman, President of Glassman Wealth Services; Congressman Jeb Hensarling, Chairman of the House Financial Services Committee; and Bernie Clark, Executive Vice President of Advisor Services at Charles Schwab.