Regulation And Legislation

Displaying 10372 results
By casting a wide net, Finra hinders diversity
NEWS PRACTICE MANAGEMENT JUL 26, 2021
By casting a wide net, Finra hinders diversity

Should something that happened when applicants were teenagers still be held against them?

The fight to #freeBritney is a step toward reform
NEWS RETIREMENT PLANNING JUL 23, 2021
The fight to #freeBritney is a step toward reform

It’s not clear how many people may be suffering from the legal restraints that were supposed to protect them.

Trade groups step up fight against bill they say threatens independent advisers
NEWS REGULATION AND LEGISLATION JUL 23, 2021
Trade groups step up fight against bill they say threatens independent advisers

Opponents contend the measure, known as the PRO Act, could negate independent-contractor agreements between advisers and financial firms.

Finra CEO wants to extend remote branch office inspections into 2022
NEWS PRACTICE MANAGEMENT JUL 22, 2021
Finra CEO wants to extend remote branch office inspections into 2022

Temporary relief from onsite examinations, which began at the start of the pandemic, is set to expire in December.

Fed's GPB investigation puts spotlight on spending
NEWS BROKER DEALERS JUL 22, 2021
Fed's GPB investigation puts spotlight on spending

The mention of GPB auditors in a court filing highlights earlier allegations of executives using clients' money for their own personal benefit. Focused on independent broker-dealers, GPB was a leading seller of high-risk private placements in the past decade.

SEC warns advisers about wrap-fee conflicts
NEWS PRACTICE MANAGEMENT JUL 21, 2021
SEC warns advisers about wrap-fee conflicts

The agency's risk alert highlights problems that it found in examinations of more than 100 advisers who served as portfolio managers or sponsors of wrap-fee programs or who advised their clients’ accounts through third-party wrap managers.

Schwab’s $200 million charge points toward conflicts with cash spreads
NEWS FINTECH JUL 21, 2021
Schwab’s $200 million charge points toward conflicts with cash spreads

Cash spreads are certainly nothing new, but with almost $64 billion in assets, Charles Schwab & Co. is likely the largest robo-adviser to hold significant chunks of client assets in cash.

Peirce’s concerns about ESG rulemaking could split SEC
NEWS ESG JUL 21, 2021
Peirce’s concerns about ESG rulemaking could split SEC

The Republican SEC commissioner's doubts provide ammunition to those who want to push back against mandatory disclosures.

SEC's Gensler issues warning about stock tokens
NEWS EQUITIES JUL 21, 2021
SEC's Gensler issues warning about stock tokens

The SEC chairman made it clear that digital assets that mirror the performance of Amazon.com, Tesla and other well-known companies are probably still covered by U.S. securities laws.

Senate bill would expand pass-through tax deduction to advisers
NEWS REGULATION AND LEGISLATION JUL 20, 2021
Senate bill would expand pass-through tax deduction to advisers

The bill, which was written by Senate Finance Chairman Ron Wyden, D-Ore., would limit the benefit to individuals earning less than $400,000 a year.

SEC orders UBS to pay $8 million over sales of complex exchange-traded products
NEWS ALTERNATIVES JUL 19, 2021
SEC orders UBS to pay $8 million over sales of complex exchange-traded products

Investments pegged to market volatility remained in client accounts for up to a year when they were meant to be short-term investments.

RBC adviser fired following arrest on domestic violence charges
NEWS PRACTICE MANAGEMENT JUL 19, 2021
RBC adviser fired following arrest on domestic violence charges

Florida-based adviser Scott Jay Matalon was fired from RBC after facing charges of kidnapping, domestic battery and false imprisonment.

Bipartisan bill would block digital tokens from becoming securities
NEWS ALTERNATIVES JUL 16, 2021
Bipartisan bill would block digital tokens from becoming securities

Congress will likely have to provide the legal framework for the SEC to regulate cryptocurrencies more efficiently and is working quickly to shape future regulation.

Koch, Voya settle 401(k) fee lawsuits
NEWS RETIREMENT PLANNING JUL 16, 2021
Koch, Voya settle 401(k) fee lawsuits

Koch will pay $4 million in a case alleging excessive record-keeping fees, and Voya reached a confidential agreement in a separate lawsuit. Yum Brands was also sued by a participant who claims he was wrongly classified as an independent contractor and denied retirement benefits.

Kahl to become acting examinations chief at SEC
NEWS PRACTICE MANAGEMENT JUL 15, 2021
Kahl to become acting examinations chief at SEC

He replaces Peter Driscoll, who is leaving the agency after heading the examinations division since January 2017.

All’s quiet on the Reg BI front
NEWS REGULATION AND LEGISLATION JUL 14, 2021
All’s quiet on the Reg BI front

The SEC has been intense about ESG and wait-and-see on Reg BI. But new Enforcement Director Gurbir Grewal supported New Jersey's fiduciary rule and may put teeth in the broker advice standard.

Too much regulatory oversight seen threatening ESG growth
NEWS RETIREMENT PLANNING JUL 13, 2021
Too much regulatory oversight seen threatening ESG growth

Experts acknowledge the "Tower of Babel" criticism regarding ESG guidelines and nomenclature, but are concerned too much structure could be harmful.

Kestra's $10.3M settlement is proof fund-fee disclosure remains a priority at the SEC
NEWS PRACTICE MANAGEMENT JUL 13, 2021
Kestra's $10.3M settlement is proof fund-fee disclosure remains a priority at the SEC

The Kestra settlement and other recent ones demonstrate the SEC’s concern is extending to revenue sharing.

Finra arbitrators order Pershing to pay $648,543 to Stanford Ponzi victims
NEWS REGULATION AND LEGISLATION JUL 12, 2021
Finra arbitrators order Pershing to pay $648,543 to Stanford Ponzi victims

The ripped-off investors allege Pershing looked the other way when it serving as custodian and clear agent for the fraudster.

Biden fires head of Social Security Administration
NEWS RETIREMENT PLANNING JUL 12, 2021
Biden fires head of Social Security Administration

The political infighting won't affect the $1 trillion in benefits Social Security sends each year to 65 million Americans. But it will likely make it more difficult to begin work on a solution to the program's long-term financial challenges.