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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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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 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

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

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

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

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

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

      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

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 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