The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) adopted and clarified a number of rules intended to improve the relationships between retail investors, investor advisers and broker-investors, while also maintaining retail investors' access to investment services and products. Under Regulation Best Interest, broker-dealers must act in the best interest of a retail customer when recommending any securities transaction or investment strategy. The Form CRS Relationship Summary requires registered investment advisers and broker-dealers to provide retail investors with easily comprehensible information about their relationship with their financial professional. Lastly, the SEC clarified investment advisers' fiduciary duties and the activities that trigger a broker-dealer to be considered an investor adviser under the Advisers Act. Press Release. For further detail on the subject, read an analysis from Orrick's Securities Litigation team here.
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