Certain comments made by Kenneth E. Bentsen, Jr. of SIFMA before the U.S. Department of Labor hearing on the proposed definition of fiduciary regulation were either misleading and/or not relevant to the issues under consideration. The DOL should carefully scrutinize the (flawed) arguments of those organizations opposed to a bona fide fiduciary standard of conduct.

Rulemaking – The Commission may commence a rule-making, as necessary or appropriate in the public interest and for the protection of retail customers, to address the legal or regulatory standards of care for brokers, dealers, investment advisers, persons associated with brokers or dealers, and persons associated with investment advisers for providing personalized investment advice about securities to retail customers.

Many people have asked about the origins of the “Butcher versus Dietitian” white board video recently popularized by Hightower Advisors and Tony Robbins. Its an excellent video, no doubt. Full disclosure, the first rendition of this story line to explain the differences between a broker and investment adviser in recent times (that I am aware of) was actually ten years ago when Harold Evensky and I collaborated on the idea in a different format and medium. Click the link above to see the PSA and news release. Knut