The regulatory reform advisors are facing is "nothing less than stunning," Amy Glynn, president of Pension Resource Institute told attendees on Monday at the Center for Due Diligence's 2011 conference. Broker-dealers have been managing their businesses in a "silo manner," she said, something that will have to change as rules take effect.

Chad Gutner, business development consultant at Commonwealth Financial Network, agreed. Advisors will begin "taking things into their own hands" if their BDs don't take charge.  

Only Rule 408(b)(2) requires advisors to do anything affirmative, Jason Roberts, founder and CEO of PRI, said. Advisors must disclose the state in which they do business, their indirect and direct compensation, which services they provide that require fiduciary status and their compensation for termination.