The SEC voted on June 5th 2019 to approve a set of proposals setting new conduct standards for broker-dealers. Regulation Best Interest (“Reg BI”) is part of a package of rules and interpretive guidance directing broker-dealers to act in the “best interest” of their clients. The package also includes new compliance requirements and guidance for both broker-dealers and investment advisers concerning the new obligations owed to retail investors.
The adoption of Reg BI by the SEC marks the start of a very short compliance implementation phase. The SEC stated that the interpretative guidance will be effective upon publication in the Federal Register. (The rules and forms will be effective 60 days later.) Broker-dealers must begin complying with the new rule, and broker-dealers and investment advisers must prepare, deliver to investors, and file the customer relationship summary by June 30, 2020.