William Byrnes' Tax, Wealth, and Risk Intelligence

The federal government is taking the first steps toward regulating financial planners. The Financial Planning Association and other industry groups are welcoming the prospect of federal oversight. The federal push toward regulation is motivated by a perceived widespread misuse of “Financial Planner” and other similar designations.

The Wall Street Reform Act requires the Government Accountability Office to study state and federal regulation of persons who hold themselves out as financial planners. The study will consider whether there are regulatory gaps in federal and state law that permit unregistered financial planners and others who provide planning services to escape regulation. The use of �misleading titles, designations and marketing materials� by financial planners will also be scrutinized to determine whether current law adequately protects consumers.

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For previous coverage of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform Act in Advisor�s Journal, see Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (CC 10-35), Hedge Fund Must Now Register with the SEC Under the New Wall Street Reform Act (CC 10-45), & The Federal Insurance Office.

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