On April 21, New Jersey became the 50th and final state to adopt the Best Interest standard for annuity transactions. The new New Jersey standard is based on the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC)...more
The stay of the effective dates of the amended fiduciary regulation and amended exemptions means that the “old” fiduciary regulation (the 5-part test) and the amended exemptions continue in effect indefinitely. As a result,...more
Suitability in the sale of annuity products has been a topic of state regulation since at least 2003 - well before the federal focus on “Best Interest.” State insurance regulators have overseen the sale of annuities to ensure...more
The Department of Labor’s “Fiduciary Rule,” PTE 2020-02: The FAQs - Key Takeaways - ▪️ The DOL has issued FAQs that generally explain PTE 2020-02 and the expanded definition of fiduciary advice. ▪️ In FAQ 18, the DOL...more
The Department of Labor’s “Fiduciary Rule,” PTE 2020-02: The FAQs - Key Takeaways - ▪️ The DOL has issued FAQs that generally explain PTE 2020-02 and the expanded definition of fiduciary advice. ▪️ In FAQ 18, the...more
The Department of Labor’s “Fiduciary Rule,” PTE 2020-02: The FAQs - This series focuses on the DOL’s new fiduciary “rule”, which was effective on February 16. This, and the next several, articles look at the Frequently...more
The Department of Labor’s “Fiduciary Rule,” PTE 2020-02: An Overview - This article is an overview of the requirements of PTE 2020-02. It discusses the expanded fiduciary definition, the conditions in the PTE, and the...more
On April 29th, a New York Court struck down as unconstitutional the 2017 Amendment to Insurance Regulation 189. The Amendment, commonly referred to in New York as the “best interests” rule, expanded the scope of Regulation...more
Idaho and North Dakota have adopted wholesale the National Association of Insurance Commissioners’ (NAIC) model suitability standard. Ohio also finalized its proposed rule adopting the NAIC model rule...more
On December 18, 2020, the DOL issued its final prohibited transaction exemption (PTE) that permits investment advisers, broker-dealers, banks and insurance companies, and their representatives, to receive conflicted...more
As anticipated, 2020 has seen a number of fiduciary and best interest advice regulations advance at both the federal and state levels. Firms subject to these regulations face challenges in dealing with rules that impose a...more
By all accounts, 2019 will see a number of fiduciary and best interest investment advice regulations advance at both the federal and state levels. Firms subject to these regulations will face challenges in dealing with rules...more
By all accounts, 2019 will see the advancement of a number of fiduciary and best interest investment advice regulations at both the federal and state levels. Firms subject to these regulations will face challenges in dealing...more
On July 18, New York's Department of Financial Services (the "NY DFS") issued the final version of its Suitability and Best Interests in Life Insurance and Annuity Transactions Regulation (the "Suitability and Best Interest...more
On April 18, the SEC voted four to one to propose new standards of conduct for broker-dealers (BDs) and investment advisers (IAs)....more
In response to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners’ (NAIC) Annuity Suitability Working Group’s (Suitability WG) proposed revisions to the "Suitability and Best Interest Standard of Conduct in Annuity...more
On November 24, while everyone was recuperating from their Thanksgiving feast, the NAIC's Annuity Suitability Working Group circulated the Working Group Chair's draft of proposed revisions to the Suitability in Annuity...more
This article addresses the liability of inside attorneys at asset management companies— mutual fund sponsors, investment advisers, broker-dealers, life insurance companies—as gatekeepers under rules of the US Securities and...more