August 16, 2010
The standard of "suitability" is a license to steal and/or cheat.
The fiduciary standard should apply to everyone dispensing financial advice and involved in the sales and solicitation of financial products and services.
The public is confused and deserves the highest possible standard from all involved in the financial industry in order to regain the respect and integrity that was once held by financial advisors.
Clients should be the ONLY "master" and financial representatives should not have a conflicting agenda of pleasing the client versus the company they work for.
I've been in the industry for 25 years and on both sides of the table. The standard of "suitability" is WRONG in my opinion.