After a number of firms struggled last year to get their marketing and information systems into compliance with the EU’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), advisers to U.S. clients will soon be facing similar requirements on the home front.  On the heels of the Cambridge Analytica scandal, California enacted the California Consumer Privacy Act of … Continued

The SEC and FINRA have recently released their examination priorities for 2019. These releases provide insight into regulatory priorities and serve as guidance for a firm in evaluating its compliance program. We will discuss topics covered in these releases, including: Protecting retail investors Fees and expenses Disclosure Conflicts of interest Suitability Protecting senior investors Trading … Continued

SEC Chairman Jay Clayton announced on Saturday, January 26 that with an agreement reached to end the government shutdown, the “Commission has resumed normal staffing levels and is returning to normal operations.” In total, about 94% of the commission’s approximately 4,400 employees had been furloughed during the 35-day shutdown, according to its operations plan. In a … Continued

FINRA first introduced enhancements to the Central Registration Depository (“CRD”) on October 1, 2018, which were rolled out in support of FINRA’s restructured qualification examination program as well as the adoption of consolidated FINRA registration rules. The new enhancements were intended to also more easily assist member firms with satisfying their reporting and compliance obligations. … Continued

The SEC’s most recent risk alert, “Observations from Investment Adviser Examinations Relating to Electronic Messaging,” issued on December 14, 2019, focuses on the use and maintenance of electronic communications for business purposes. The purpose of the alert is to remind advisers of their obligations related to personal use of electronic messaging and the requirements for … Continued