The new year rings in the most significant changes in U.S. anti-money laundering (AML) law since the enactment of the USA PATRIOT Act and its implementing regulations in 2001. Read More

The new rule (Marketing Rule) replaces two rules under the Advisers Act, rule 206(4)-1 (Marketing Rule), originally adopted in 1961, and rule 206(4)-3 (Solicitation Rule), originally adopted in 1979. The Marketing Rule reflects market, technological and regulatory changes that have occurred since the rules were originally adopted. Read More

Several more states are moving quickly to add a best-interest annuity sales standard to its regulation of insurance products. The latest states to adopt the best-interest model law put forth by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners are Alabama and Michigan. Read More

The CE Council recently released a guide to Firm Element Continuing Education Program, which outlined three major areas to developing an effective CE program. This blog is intended to cover the written training plan, the second component of an effective CE program. Read More

The CE Council recently released a guide to Firm Element Continuing Education Program, which outlined three major areas to developing an effective CE program. This blog is intended to cover the Needs Analysis requirement, the first step in developing a Firm Element program is to analyze a firm's training needs. Read More

The CE Council recently released a guide to Firm Element Continuing Education Program, which outlined three major areas to developing an effective CE program. This blog is intended to cover the Firm Element requirement, in general, to help generate ideas for producing an effective Firm Element program. Read More

On November 24, 2020, the North American Securities Administrators Association (NASAA) announced that its membership has voted to adopt a model rule to set parameters by which NASAA members could implement continuing education programs for investment adviser representatives in their jurisdictions. Read More

The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority is conducting targeted exams of firms’ systems and procedures as it relates to providing mutual fund discounts or fee waivers to clients. Read More

The SEC’s Office of Compliance Inspections and Examinations recently published an alert summarizing its exams of investment advisers operating out of multiple locations. Read More

While it may be hard to believe, 2020 is already coming to a close, which means broker-dealers and investment advisors’ 2021 Renewal Programs are officially underway. Read More