Regulation, Legal & Compliance

Displaying 10946 results
GameStop hearing underlines partisan divide on legislative action
REGULATION, LEGAL & COMPLIANCE FEB 19, 2021
GameStop hearing underlines partisan divide on legislative action

The atmospherics suggested that if bills emerge, they will have a difficult path through the narrowly divided House and Senate.

By Mark Schoeff Jr.
Ex-Janney broker stole $400,000 from clients to pay gambling debt: Feds
REGULATION, LEGAL & COMPLIANCE FEB 19, 2021
Ex-Janney broker stole $400,000 from clients to pay gambling debt: Feds

The broker transferred funds from the investment account of a couple whose portfolio he managed directly into bank accounts he controlled, according to the Department of Justice.

By Bruce Kelly
Advisers agree: It’s time to stop ignoring Bitcoin
FINTECH FEB 18, 2021
Advisers agree: It’s time to stop ignoring Bitcoin

Bitcoin's rally and an increase in institutional adoption amplify the need for advisers to educate themselves on cryptocurrencies.

By Nicole Casperson
Robinhood, Citadel CEOs spar with lawmakers over retail trading
REGULATION, LEGAL & COMPLIANCE FEB 18, 2021
Robinhood, Citadel CEOs spar with lawmakers over retail trading

At a Financial Services Committee hearing, House Democrats pressed the leaders of Robinhood and Citadel on whether they're profiting at the expense of retail investors

By Bloomberg
Warren presses Finra to review whether forced arbitration harms Robinhood customers
FINTECH FEB 18, 2021
Warren presses Finra to review whether forced arbitration harms Robinhood customers

'Investors harmed by Robinhood’s trading restrictions should be able to argue their case in court, rather than in closed-door proceedings that are too often rigged against claimants,' Warren wrote in a letter to Finra CEO Robert W. Cook.

By Mark Schoeff Jr.
Morningstar tweaked ratings of paying clients, SEC claims
REGULATION, LEGAL & COMPLIANCE FEB 18, 2021
Morningstar tweaked ratings of paying clients, SEC claims

The company's credit ratings unit let analysts make adjustments that resulted in higher ratings on commercial mortgage-backed securities, the agency alleges.

By InvestmentNews
‘Roaring Kitty’ sued for fraud over GameStop rise
REGULATION, LEGAL & COMPLIANCE FEB 18, 2021
‘Roaring Kitty’ sued for fraud over GameStop rise

Keith Gill, a Massachusetts CFA and one of the influential voices pushing GameStop on social media, was hit by a lawsuit accusing him of misrepresenting himself as an amateur investor.

By Bloomberg
Robinhood’s ties to hedge funds still not clear, Warren says
REGULATION, LEGAL & COMPLIANCE FEB 17, 2021
Robinhood’s ties to hedge funds still not clear, Warren says

Ahead of a House hearing Thursday with the company's CEO, the Massachusetts senator accused Robinhood of having inadequate cash on hand to manage a trading surge.

By Bloomberg
Wells Fargo gets Fed nod for overhaul plan
WIREHOUSES FEB 17, 2021
Wells Fargo gets Fed nod for overhaul plan

Fed officials reportedly privately signaled the bank that they accept its proposal for overhauling risk management and governance, which would move Wells a step closer to getting the cap on its assets lifted.

By Bloomberg
Pandemic prompts brokerages to seek relaxed in-person inspection requirements
PRACTICE MANAGEMENT FEB 16, 2021
Pandemic prompts brokerages to seek relaxed in-person inspection requirements

Member firms and trade associations representing them told Finra their pandemic experience has shown that supervisors don’t need to look over the shoulders of registered reps physically to ensure they’re following the rules.

By Mark Schoeff Jr.
Fiduciary redux: Don't tinker with Reg BI
OPINION FEB 16, 2021
Fiduciary redux: Don't tinker with Reg BI

The client choice approach reflected in Reg BI is in fact the best approach for individual investors because every individual and family is unique when it comes to their wealth management needs and goals.

By John Taft
FSI advocacy priorities for 2021
OPINION FEB 16, 2021
FSI advocacy priorities for 2021

For independent advisory firms and advisers, the Biden administration’s approach to regulation will be among the most consequential outcomes of the November elections.

By Dale Brown
Canadian Bitcoin ETF turns up heat on U.S. fund managers, regulators
ALTERNATIVES FEB 12, 2021
Canadian Bitcoin ETF turns up heat on U.S. fund managers, regulators

Being behind Canada on Bitcoin funds could put U.S. ETF providers at a disadvantage when it comes to gaining market share.

By Jeff Benjamin
DOL may extend exemption allowing Deutsche to manage retirement funds
RETIREMENT PLANNING FEB 12, 2021
DOL may extend exemption allowing Deutsche to manage retirement funds

The banking giant, which was convicted of wire fraud in connection with a Libor-rigging scheme, currently enjoys key rule exemption.

By InvestmentNews
DOL will let Trump-era fiduciary rule stand
RETIREMENT PLANNING FEB 12, 2021
DOL will let Trump-era fiduciary rule stand

The rule, which was proposed last year and goes into effect next Tuesday, essentially replaces the defunct Obama-era version that regulated investment advice for 401(k)s and rollover IRAs. It provides an exemption for investment advice fiduciaries under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act.

By Emile Hallez
Wall Street gets shorter SEC leash
REGULATION, LEGAL & COMPLIANCE FEB 11, 2021
Wall Street gets shorter SEC leash

Agency says it will make it harder for financial firms to obtain waivers from knock-on sanctions when they settle enforcement cases.

By Bloomberg
SEC wants independent monitor to run GPB amid fraud charges
ALTERNATIVES FEB 11, 2021
SEC wants independent monitor to run GPB amid fraud charges

The regulator wants to install an industry veteran to run GPB to monitor its assets in auto dealerships and make sure investor interests are protected.

By Bruce Kelly
SEC empowers more staff to launch investigations
PRACTICE MANAGEMENT FEB 10, 2021
SEC empowers more staff to launch investigations

The change puts pressure on firms' compliance operations, experts say. Facilitating the ability of SEC staff to issue subpoenas and take testimony is expected to make enforcement more agile and effective.

By Mark Schoeff Jr.
House bill would adjust retirees' capital gains tax for inflation
RETIREMENT PLANNING FEB 10, 2021
House bill would adjust retirees' capital gains tax for inflation

The legislation would allow an inflation adjustment for stock or business property held by people 59 ½ or older who have held the assets for more than three years. The inflation adjustments would be made according to the Chained Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers.

By Emile Hallez
Triad Advisors dinged $194,000 by Finra over supervision
LIFE INSURANCE AND ANNUITIES FEB 10, 2021
Triad Advisors dinged $194,000 by Finra over supervision

Short-term mutual fund trades and variable annuity switching is generally regarded in the retail securities industry as a way for brokers and advisers to increase commissions at the expense of clients.

By Bruce Kelly