FINRA’s March 2021 Disciplinary Actions
Firm Fined Wealthforge Securities, LLC Wealthforge Securities, LLC (“Wealthforge”) was censured, fined $100,000 and required to provide training to all personnel related to FINRA Rule 2210 for providing misleading statements
FINRA – 2021 Report on FINRA’S Examination and Risk Monitoring Program
In February 2021, FINRA replaced two of their prior publications – the Report on FINRA Examinations Findings and Observations and the Risk Monitoring and Examination Priorities Letter – with the
SEC Charges Three Individuals in Digital Asset Frauds
On February 1st, 2021 the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) charged three individuals with defrauding hundreds of retail investors out of more than $11 million dollars through fraudulent and unregistered

BROKER/DEALER COMPLIANCE OFFICERS FACE SURGING PERSONAL LIABILITY RISKS
Since the start of the pandemic, has your firm adopted digital communication and collaboration platforms? If yes, have policies and procedures been implemented to prevent mistakes and misbehaviors? I pose

FinCEN January News Update
The Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (“FinCEN”) released two announcements of note in January. One involves a proposed rule involving digital transactions. The rule is aimed at tightening gaps for potential

December 9, 2020 -FINRA Board of Governors Meeting
FINRA’s Board of Governors met via zoom on December 9, 2020. The Board approved three proposed rulemaking amendments and also approved FINRA’s 2021 proposed budget. One of the proposed amendments
SEC Risk Alert – Investment Adviser Compliance Programs
On November 19, 2020, the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) issued a Risk Alert noting deficiencies in Investment Adviser Compliance Programs with regard to Rule 206(4)-7 under the Investment Adviser
SEC Risk Alert – Supervision, Compliance and Multiple Branch Offices
On November 9, 2020, the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) released its observations from the Office of Compliance Inspections and Examinations (“OCIE”) related to the supervision and compliance of registered

FINRA Disciplinary Action: October 2020
Firms Fined BGC Financial, L.P On August 13, 2020, BGC Financial, L.P was censured, required to update its Written Supervisory Procedures (“WSP”) and fined $100,000. The Firm consented to the

Regulatory Notice 20-35 –FINRA Alerts Firms to Phishing Email Requesting Them to Respond to Fraudulent Survey
FINRA released a regulatory notice warning all member firms of a phishing attempt from an organization trying to impersonate FINRA. Phishing is a cybercrime where targets are contacted by email
SEC Files $1 Million DollarFraud Complaint Against Advisor
The Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) filed a complaint in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of New York in Buffalo against Cygnus Capital Management and the estate

SEC Warns of Rise in ‘Credential Stuffing’ Cyberattacks
The SEC’s Office of Compliance Inspections and Examinations (“OCIE”) has observed an increase in credential stuffing attacks. What is Credential Stuffing? Bad actors target client accounts via compromised login credentials. This
Protecting Senior Investors
On September 1, 2020 the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) filed an emergency action charging investment adviser Matthew O. Clason with stealing thousands of dollars from an advisory client. Clason
FINRA Disciplinary Action: August 2020
Firms Fined Exane, Inc. Exane, Inc. was fined $50,000 for failing to establish management controls and supervisory procedures to manage the financial and regulatory risks of the business. The firm’s
SEC Expands Accredited Investor Definition
The Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) amended the accredited investor definition, allowing more investors to qualify to participate in private offerings. Formerly, to qualify as an “Accredited Investor,” an individual
Anti-Money Laundering Violations – Get Ready to Pay
Pursuant to FINRA Rule 3110, member firms are charged with the responsibility of implementing and enforcing a written Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Program (“AMLCP”) in efforts to combat money laundering and
Virtual Business Entertainment
FINRA Rule 3220 sets strict limits on the gifts and gratuities that financial professionals can give or receive. Gifts and gratuities are subject to a $100 per year, per person
SEC Charges South Florida Spouses with $500M Scam
The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) filed an asset freeze to stop Lisa McElhone and Joseph W. LaForte’s fraudulent scheme worth $500 million. The scheme involved raising investor funds via

Increase in Electronic Communication Disciplinary Actions
COVID-19 has impacted the world’s operations tremendously. From volatile markets, to business loan grief, and overwhelming cyber threats, member firms have been forced to a new work environment, remote. Though

SEC Charges App Developers for Unregistered Security-Based Swap Transactions
Abra, a California-based trading app, and related firm Plutus Technologies Philippines Corp (“Plutus”), were charged by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) on July 13, 2020. Abra and the related

Cybersecurity: Ransomware Alert
The U.S Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) has focused on cybersecurity issues for many years, but with increased observation of cyber threats, the Office of Compliance Inspections and Examinations (“OCIE”)

ThinkAdvisor Article: “CCO Hit by FINRA for Business Email Infractions”
ThinkAdvisor published an article on June 18, 2020 discussing the importance surrounding broker-dealers retention and review of electronic communications. FINRA took action against a firm’s Chief Compliance Officer (“CCO”) for
April 2020 FINRA Disciplinary Actions
FINRA disciplinary actions taken against firms and individuals due to violations of FINRA rules, federal securities laws and MSRB rules. Firms Fined ACS Execution Services, LLC The Firm was fined

FINRA Regulatory Notice 20-05
Read our Regulatory Brief on the proposed new changes to FINRA’s Continuing Education Program (“CE”). FINRA Regulatory Notice 20-05 – CE Program Proposed Changes

Regulation Best Interest
Read our Regulatory Brief on Regulation BI to learn more about the requirements. Asgard Regulatory Brief – Regulation Best Interest (1.28.2020)

December 2019 FINRA Disciplinary Actions
FINRA disciplinary actions taken against firms and individuals due to violations of FINRA rules, federal securities laws and MSRB rules. Firms Fined World Equity Group The Firm was fined $18,500

November 2019 FINRA Disciplinary Actions
FINRA disciplinary actions taken against firms and individuals due to violations of FINRA rules, federal securities laws and MSRB rules. Individuals Barred Hannah Burgess Burgess was barred from association with

October 2019 FINRA Disciplinary Actions
FINRA disciplinary actions taken against firms and individuals due to violations of FINRA rules, federal securities laws and MSRB rules. Firm Fined Dawson James Securities, Inc. The

2019 Report on FINRA Examination Findings and Observations
In efforts to become more transparent and aid firms in improving their compliance and risk management programs, FINRA has developed the 2019 Report on Examination Findings and Observations. FINRA Findings

Cybersecurity Alert: Cloud-Based Email Account Takeovers (Information Notice 10.2.19)
Cybersecurity has become a continuous concern as hackers constantly create new ways of gaining private information from their targets, leaving firms vulnerable to attacks. Although firm’s are required to implement