By Mark J. Astarita, Esq. FINRA Rule 8210 FINRA Rule 8210 (Provision of Information and Testimony and Inspection and Copying of Books) is the starting point of virtually every FINRA enforcement proceeding, as it gives FINRA the authority to request documents and testimony from firms, registered persons and, in FINRA’s […]
Compliance
SEC 2024 Examination Priorities for Broker-Dealers
The SEC’s Division of Examinations prioritizes examinations of certain practices, products, and services that it believes present potentially heightened risks to investors or the integrity of the U.S. capital markets. They have announced the 2024 examination priorities. Here is a summary of the Broker-Dealer priorities for 2024. We summarized the […]
Understanding and Navigating the Investment Advisor Custody Rule
The Investment Advisor Custody Rule: DecipheredThe Investment Advisor Custody Rule, often referred to as Rule 206(4)-2, is a rule under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940. Its primary objective is to safeguard the assets of clients managed by investment advisors. Understanding its key components is imperative for any financial professional. […]
Monolith Resources Settles SEC Charges Violating Whistleblower Protection Rules
Sept. 8, 2023 — The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has announced settled charges against Monolith Resources LLC, a privately held energy and technology company headquartered in Lincoln, Nebraska. The charges stem from Monolith’s use of employee separation agreements that violated the SEC’s whistleblower protection rules. Protection of Whistleblowers is […]
Linus Financial Agrees to Settle SEC Charges of Unregistered Offer and Sale of Securities
In the appropriate case in our securities defense practice, we sometimes advise clients to self-report a violation and the client’s efforts to correct the violation. The rationale is that the SEC views self-reporting in a positive light when determining sanctions, and the reporting can avoid lengthy and costly investigations and […]
SEC Charges Five Advisory Firms for Custody Rule Violations
We continue to see investigations of advisory firms for violations of the Custody Rule, which has specific requirements for the handling and reporting for firms that hold customer funds. The SEC has an extensive FAQ regarding the rule and the requirements for compliance. As always we are available to assist […]
Annual Review of Federal Securities Regulation
By the Subcommittee on Annual Review of Federal Securities Regulation, Committee on Federal Regulation of Securities, ABA Business Law Section This review was prepared by the Subcommittee on Annual Review of Federal Securities Regulation of the ABA Business Law Section’s Committee on Federal Regulation of Securities. The Review is a […]
Misleading Advertising and Compliance Failures: SEC Charges Titan Global Capital Management
The SEC has taken action against Titan Global Capital Management USA LLC, a FinTech investment adviser based in New York. The charges revolve around the company’s use of misleading hypothetical performance metrics in its advertisements. Additionally, Titan has been accused of multiple compliance failures that led to distorted disclosures concerning […]
SEC Charges 11 Firms for Failing Electronic Communications Compliance
The SEC announced charges against 10 broker-dealer firms and one dually registered broker-dealer and investment adviser for a series of failures related to the maintenance and preservation of electronic communications. These failures have been widespread and longstanding, leading to severe consequences for the firms involved. Admission of Violations and Penalties […]
SEC Proposes Amendments to Internet Investment Adviser Registration Rule
Introduction The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has recently put forth a set of proposed amendments to the rule governing the registration of investment advisers who provide their services through the Internet. These amendments aim to modernize the existing Internet adviser registration rule and ensure that investment advisers can efficiently […]