The big guns from trade associations, consumer groups and financial services firms will have a chance to spar live next week on the proposed fiduciary rule for retirement plan advisors.
All parties will have a chance to voice their views Monday through Wednesday at the Department of Labor. They’ve already stated their positions countless number of times in filings with DOL, press releases and Congressional hearings, however, so don’t expect to hear new arguments for and against the proposal.
Some of the sessions could be interesting, though, because the best minds in the field are getting a rare chance to challenge each other live.
Unlike with rock concerts, the star attractions will come first.
It’s Consumer Federation of America Director of Investor Protection Barbara Roper versus Insured Retirement Institute Board Chair Nick Lane and Investment Company Institute General Counsel David Blass on Monday at 11:15 a.m.
Immediately following them at 12:15 p.m., former Securities and Exchange Commission Investor Advisory Committee member and current University of Mississippi Law Professor Mercer Bullard will go toe-to-toe with Financial Services Roundtable Regulatory Affairs chief Felicia Smith.
Later that afternoon, it's Public Citizen Financial Policy Advocate Bartlett Naylor versus Plan Sponsor Council of America Board Chair Stephen McCaffrey.
Tuesday’s most interesting panels should be Garrett Planning Network founder and President Sheryl Garrett going up against Voya Financial CEO Charles Nelson and Fidelity Deputy General Counsel Ralph Derbyshire at 2:15 p.m. and Public Investors Arbitration Bar Association President Joe Pfeiffer confronting National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors President Jult McNeely.
On Wednesday, the highlight is Americans For Financial Reform Policy Director Marcus Stanley debating Financial Services Institute President and CEO Dale Brown at 2:15 p.m.