The fast pace and broad scope of new regulation are driving participants in the complex derivatives markets to adapt quickly. Layers of old infrastructure and practices built up over time need to be overhauled to keep up with new regulation, technological change, and overall structural changes in derivatives markets.  In a September 15, 2016 white paper, the International Swaps and Derivatives Association, Inc. (ISDA) has called for greater standardization and automation of derivatives trade processes in order to improve efficiency, reduce complexity, and lower costs for market participants.  According to ISDA’s chief executive Scott O’Malia, "More recently, the sheer pace of regulatory change has meant firms have been under pressure to tackle the next pressing deadline. The result is a derivatives infrastructure that is duplicative and based on incompatible operating standards, and this isn’t sustainable.”  The white paper identifies a number of ways the ISDA proposes to automate and streamline the significant reporting, trading, clearing and collateral management requirements that have emerged as a result of regulatory changes. In addition, the paper highlights areas where greater standardization and investments in technology, like blockchain, can make traded processing faster, more efficient, and more cost-effective at all stages of derivatives trading.

Both FINRA and the Securities and Exchange Commission have indicated a renewed interest in the fees charged by investment advisors. In a May 2016 notice, FINRA announced a mutual fund fee waiver sweep intended to gather information regarding whether advisors had mechanisms in place to ensure that mutual fund investors are receiving promised fee waivers and reimbursements.  The SEC’s investor advocate Rick A. Fleming announced in his annual report to Congress published on June 30 that improved disclosure of fees and expenses charged by financial advisers is a top priority for his office in the new fiscal year.