6/24/2015 – A Thorny Trade-Off in Protecting Older Investors (The Wall Street Journal)

Some states have been giving brokerage firms more power to halt stock purchases and money transfers when they suspect their older clients are becoming victims of financial abuse or fraud. Missouri this month joined at least two other states—Delaware and Washington—in passing laws that shield brokerages from some liability if they delay certain questionable transactions involving older investors.Still, it can be a thorny decision for firms to say no to what may be valid and well-reasoned requests by older clients. Delaying or refusing certain orders has come up as part of a broad effort by the financial industry and regulators to limit financial abuse of older investors, including those whose mental capacity is slipping.

Read the full article in The Wall Street Journal.