(Washington)

So we don’t usually write a story this “editorially” driven, but we wanted to share our view on the new SEC fiduciary rule, and not so much on the rule itself, as the way the SEC is handling it. While we all know the SEC’s new rule came in way less onerous than expected and there are major hurdles to its implementation, we really like the way the SEC is approaching its process. The rule is now open for comment, and listen to SEC chief Clayton’s comments on it, “I am very interested in the comments that come in, whether people think this current proposal fits their current relationships with their clients … I also want to understand, are we doing violence to the investment advisor model in any way? Are we doing violence to the broker-dealer model in any way? People should comment”. Commenting on the broker-dealer model specifically, Clayton said “there are clearly many people for whom that relationship is a more economical model than the investment advisor model”.

FINSUM: Clayton really understands the different considerations for clients and advisors. In our view, these are the most insightful comments we have heard from any wealth management-focused regulator in some time.