The Division of Examinations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) recently released a Risk Alert relating to the Advisory Fee Initiative titled “Division of Examinations Observations: Investment Advisers’ Fee Calculations.” Under this Initiative, the SEC conducted approximately 130 examinations of SEC-registered investment advisers focusing on how advisory fees are…
In late May, FINRA issued a press release announcing the temporary withdrawal of proposed rule changes regarding the process for obtaining expungement of customer dispute information maintained for registered representatives on WebCRD, or “BrokerCheck.” The proposed rule changes were issued in 2017 for possible SEC approval and have previously been…
Rule 206(4)-1 under the Investment Advisers Act, known as the “Marketing Rule,” becomes effective on May 4, 2021. Full details of the new rule and the related amendments to the Books and Records Rule and for ADV can be reviewed in the SEC’s adopting release. The new rule changes many aspects…
Last month, the U.S. Department of Labor announced that it has finalized the new “fiduciary rule” proposed during the Trump administration, creating a new exemption to the fiduciary standards that investment advisers must comply with when servicing ERISA accounts and IRAs Specifically, the new rule – Prohibited Transaction Exemption 2002-02…
Earlier this year, the North American Securities Administrators Association (NASAA), through a working group within the Senior Issues/Diminished Capacity Committee, issued a report of findings and recommendations relating to issues of cognitive impairment or diminished capacity that may affect investment advisers and other financial professionals. The report summarized information received…
In a closely-watched move, the SEC voted 3-2 this past Wednesday to expand the definition of an “accredited investor” to include both state-registered and SEC-registered investment advisers with $5 million or more in assets. Accredited investors are those who are permitted to purchase unregistered securities such as those typically sold…
The Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) recently published its sixth risk alert on cybersecurity since 2014. In this alert, the SEC focused on how its regulated firms protect themselves against ransomware risk. I previously wrote about the SEC’s last risk alert on ransomware here. Ransomware is malware that stops a…
Earlier this week, the SEC’s Office of Compliance Inspections and Examinations (OCIE) issued a risk alert in which it discussed ongoing deficiencies identified during compliance examinations of investment advisers that advise private funds. This risk alert follows on the heels of other SEC activity relating to private fund advisers, including…
Through updates to the Frequently Asked Questions maintained on its website, the Small Business Administration announced that it has extended the safe harbor date previously announced in Question 31 from May 7, 2020 to May 14, 2020, and that it intends to issue updated guidance relating to the safe harbor…
As the saying goes, “a rising tide lifts all boats.” This expression is commonly used in the investment world to mean that in bull markets, all portfolios tend to rise, no matter how poorly constructed. However, when the market changes directions sharply, as it has over the last thirteen trading…