Melanie Waddell

Melanie is senior editor and Washington bureau chief of ThinkAdvisor. Her ThinkAdvisor coverage zeros in on how politics, policy, legislation and regulations affect the investment advisory space. Melanie’s coverage has been cited in various lawmakers’ reports, letters and bills, and in the Labor Department’s fiduciary rule in 2024. In 2019, Melanie received an Honorable Mention, Range of Work by a Single Author award from @Folio. Melanie joined Investment Advisor magazine as New York bureau chief in 2000. She has been a columnist since 2002. She started her career in Washington in 1994, covering financial issues at American Banker. Since 1997, Melanie has been covering investment-related issues, holding senior editorial positions at American Banker publications in both Washington and New York. Briefly, she was content chief for Internet Capital Group’s EFinancialWorld in New York and wrote freelance articles for Institutional Investor. Melanie holds a bachelor’s degree in English from Towson University. She interned at The Baltimore Sun and its suburban edition.

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March 16, 2021 | ThinkAdvisor

GOP Bill Would Block State-Level Financial Transaction Taxes

Reps. McHenry and Huizenga have introduced the Protecting Retirement Savers and Everyday Investors Act.

By Melanie Waddell

2 minute read

February 01, 2021 | National Law Journal

The Road Ahead: What to Expect From the Biden Administration on the Regulatory Front

Under the Biden administration, white-collar defense lawyers are expecting the intensity of investigations to only increase, with an early focus on fraud connected to the pandemic and a continued emphasis on offering more transparency.

By C. Ryan Barber | Cheryl Miller | Melanie Waddell

9 minute read

July 28, 2020 | Daily Business Review

AIG Unit Promoted by Florida Teachers' Union Arm Pays SEC Penalty

The investigation was part of SEC Chairman Jay Clayton's initiative targeting fraud directed at teachers

By Melanie Waddell

5 minute read

March 18, 2020 | ThinkAdvisor

CPA Group Calls on Treasury, IRS to Extend Tax Filing Deadline

"It is impossible for every taxpayer and their tax adviser to prepare returns in this environment," said AICPA's president.

By Melanie Waddell

2 minute read

January 22, 2020 | ThinkAdvisor

NASAA Names an SEC Veteran as General Counsel

Vincente Martinez replaces Valerie Mirko, who left NASAA in October.

By Melanie Waddell

2 minute read

January 06, 2020 | ThinkAdvisor

Identity Theft Drops for Third Year in a Row: IRS

It credits an "aggressive" push involving interagency cooperation for the drop.

By Melanie Waddell

3 minute read

October 09, 2019 | ThinkAdvisor

SEC Launches Asset Management Advisory Committee

The committee "will help the Commission ensure that our regulatory approach to asset management meets the needs of retail investors and market participants," said SEC chief Clayton.

By Melanie Waddell

2 minute read

September 17, 2019 | Daily Business Review

SEC: Raymond James Owes $15 Million for Improper Charges on Inactive and Trust Accounts

Three units improperly charged advisory fees on inactive client accounts and charged excess commissions for trusts, the Securities and Exchange Commission said.

By Melanie Waddell

3 minute read

September 10, 2019 | Daily Business Review

8 Attorneys General Sue SEC Over Investor Protection Rule

The first lawsuit filed against Regulation Best Interest argues that it fails to institute a uniform fiduciary standard and goes against the Dodd-Frank Act.

By Melanie Waddell

3 minute read

August 27, 2019 | ThinkAdvisor

Trump Nominates Eugene Scalia as New Labor Secretary

The news comes about six weeks after the resignation of embattled DOL leader Acosta.

By Melanie Waddell

2 minute read

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