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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July 29, 2019 | ThinkAdvisor

DOL Issues Final Rule on Association Retirement Plans

In addition, Labor has issued a request for information on other kinds of multiple employer plans.

By Melanie Waddell

4 minute read

July 26, 2019 | ThinkAdvisor

State Fiduciary Rules on a 'Collision Course' With Reg BI: Lawyers

As the comment period on Massachusetts' fiduciary plan closed, SIFMA urged the state to let Reg BI "be fully implemented before moving forward."

By Melanie Waddell

4 minute read

July 17, 2019 | ThinkAdvisor

Will Acting Labor Secretary Pizzella Greenlight a Fiduciary Rule?

A rule release by Labor now hinges on "how much authority is Pizzella going to feel that he has," said Joshua Lichtenstein, partner at Ropes & Gray.

By Melanie Waddell

3 minute read

July 12, 2019 | ThinkAdvisor

DOL Fiduciary Rule Hangs in Balance as Labor Secretary Acosta Resigns

Acosta's resignation "will affect the development of any guidance that could be controversial," says lawyer Fred Reish.

By Melanie Waddell

3 minute read

July 08, 2019 | ThinkAdvisor

Trump Signs IRS Redesign Bill Into Law

The law requires the IRS to submit to Congress in 2020 a plan to redesign the agency.

By Melanie Waddell

2 minute read

June 28, 2019 | ThinkAdvisor

Here's What 10 FINRA Execs Earned in 2018

Top FINRA execs continue to earn $1 million or more.

By Melanie Waddell

2 minute read

June 24, 2019 | ThinkAdvisor

Rep. Waters Seeks to Block SEC Regulation Best Interest

The House Financial Services Committee chairwoman's amendment to the financial services appropriations bill to block funding for enforcement of Reg BI was approved by the House Rules Committee late Monday.

By Melanie Waddell

3 minute read