On July 6, 2018, FINRA released Regulatory Notice 18-20, which encourages member firms to promptly notify FINRA of the firm or its associated persons intend to engage in activities involving digital assets, such as cryptocurrencies and other virtual coins and tokens. Read More

The SEC is looking to limit whistleblower payouts after doling out tens of millions of dollars in a recent case. The SEC voted 3-2 to propose a limit after an $83 million award was given back in March to three informants – the largest payday in the history of the SEC’s whistleblower program. Read More

In this article, we identify regulatory and sales practice topics the CE Council recommends firms consider in their 2018 Firm Element training plans. Read More

Each year, the FINRA annual conference gathers together a diverse network of compliance professionals and provides them with the opportunity to discuss the latest regulatory developments and FINRA priorities. Provided in this article are highlights from the conference. Read More

A registered representative from Montrouge, France was fined $20,000 and suspended from association with any FINRA member in all capacities for two years due to the entry of findings that he engaged in an outside business activity involving blockchain technology without providing prior notice to his member firm. Read More

This article walks you through great tips on how to prioritize work and meet those end-of-year compliance deadlines. Read More

Move over BrokerCheck – the SEC has recently launched an online search feature that enables investors to research whether the person trying to sell them investments has a judgement or history of enforcement actions. Read More

Earlier this month, the SEC announced it charged a registered municipal advisor and its owner with defrauding their client, a Texas school district, in connection with multiple municipal bond offerings. Read More

The SEC’s exam division recently released a Risk Alert detailing the top six compliance failures relating to fees and expenses charged by investment advisors, as identified through client deficiency letters. Read More

The sanction was based on findings that the CCO directed a registered representative of his member firm to solicit backdated outside business activity and private securities transaction forms and then submitted the forms to FINRA examiners without disclosing the backdating of the forms. Read More