Melanie Waddell, AdvisorOne

About the Author

Melanie is the Washington Bureau Chief and Editor of the Practice Channel on AdvisorOne.com.

Early in her career, Melanie covered financial issues at American Banker in Washington. For more than 15 years, Melanie has been covering investment-related issues, entering the advisor universe in a senior level editorial position at American Banker/Thomson Media in both Washington and New York. After seven years at Thomson, now Reuters, Melanie joined the Investment Advisor team.

Melanie has been a columnist for Investment Advisor for nine years, and holds a Bachelor’s degree in English from Towson University.

Reach Melanie at mwaddell@investmentadvisor.com.

Yep, we’re saving: Retirement assets rise 8% in 2012

By Melanie Waddell, AdvisorOne | March 28, 2013

Retirement savings accounted for 36 percent of household financial assets in the U.S. at the end of last year, ICI says.
FINRA clarifies ‘customer’ and ‘investment strategy’ terms under suitability rule

By Melanie Waddell, AdvisorOne | December 14, 2012

The clarifications are updates to FINRA's Regulatory Notice 12-25, which was issued in May and provides guidance on the rule in a “frequently asked questions” format.
When SEC and FINRA Strike, Sometimes It Pays to Strike Back

By Melanie Waddell, AdvisorOne | July 31, 2012

BDs and reps who sue regulators may be rewarded with dismissed charges and smaller fines.
DOL Backs Off Controversial Brokerage Window Plan

By Melanie Waddell, AdvisorOne | July 31, 2012

A revised Field Assistance Bulletin ‘effectively eliminates’ several significant fiduciary requirements, says Dudley of ABC.
To Thwart SRO, Rep. Waters Introduces User Fee Bill

By Melanie Waddell, AdvisorOne | July 30, 2012

As she said she would, Rep. Maxine Waters, D-Calif., introduced on Wednesday the Investment Adviser Examination Improvement Act of 2012, which would allow the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to collect user fees from advisors to fund their exams in lieu of a self-regulatory organization (SRO).
FINRA and SEC Warn About Annuity Risks

By Melanie Waddell, AdvisorOne | June 27, 2012

FINRA is looking closely at disclosure, suitability and yield-chasing practices associated with VAs.
SEC’s Rominger to Retire in July

By Melanie Waddell, AdvisorOne, Arthur D. Postal | June 19, 2012

The director of Investment Management spoke about the importance of full disclosures in variable annuities in November.
Bachus to Introduce SRO Redraft Early Next Week: Industry Officials

By Melanie Waddell, AdvisorOne | April 13, 2012

House Financial Services Chairman Spencer Bachus (left), R-Ala., plans to introduce a redraft of his bill calling for a self-regulatory organization for advisors early next week, according to three top industry officials in Washington.
SEC, Congress Tussle Over Private Fund Advisor Registration

By Melanie Waddell, AdvisorOne | March 9, 2012

SEC Commissioner Daniel Gallagher told chief compliance officers on Thursday that he sees cases where the securities regulator can grant exemptive relief for private fund advisors that must register with the agency as mandated by Dodd-Frank.
Post-Election Estate Tax Fix?

By Melanie Waddell, AdvisorOne | March 2, 2012

The consensus is that the Bush-era tax cuts will be addressed after the presidential election.