Regulation, Legal & Compliance

Displaying 11056 results
Former Morgan Stanley adviser sentenced to three years' probation for data theft
WIREHOUSES DEC 23, 2015
Former Morgan Stanley adviser sentenced to three years' probation for data theft

Galen Marsh, who allegedly called the stolen data “the world's best cold-calling list,” had some of the data stolen from him and posted on the Internet.

By Bloomberg
New bills aim to stop DOL fiduciary rule
RETIREMENT PLANNING DEC 23, 2015
New bills aim to stop DOL fiduciary rule

New bipartisan legislation would quash a Labor Department proposal to strengthen investment advice standards for retirement accounts.

By Mark Schoeff Jr.
Fiduciary liability unclear when selecting and monitoring default retirement investments
RETIREMENT PLANNING DEC 23, 2015
Fiduciary liability unclear when selecting and monitoring default retirement investments

Plan sponsors appreciate auto enrollment and qualified default investments, but there are imperfect fits at the individual participant level.

By Blaine F. Aikin
RETIREMENT PLANNING DEC 23, 2015
Boeing settlement underscores advisers' 401(k) responsibility

As excessive-fee suits are poised to move down market, advisers should pay attention to teachings of 401(k) suits such as Boeing's.

By Greg Iacurci
ALTERNATIVES DEC 22, 2015
SAC's Cohen barred from managing client money until 2018, SEC says

Steven A. Cohen is poised to make a return to the hedge-fund industry by 2018 under an accord with U.S. regulators that settles allegations that the billionaire failed to supervise a convicted insider-trader at SAC Capital Advisors.

By Bloomberg
Morgan Stanley ordered to pay $8.8 million for unsupervised trading
REGULATION, LEGAL & COMPLIANCE DEC 22, 2015
Morgan Stanley ordered to pay $8.8 million for unsupervised trading

SEC orders the wirehouse to pay $8.8M for what the regulator claims was unsupervised prearranged trading. Brokerage firm Societe Generale Americas also agreed to pay $1M for the same case.

By Alessandra Malito
LPL to pay $750K in latest nontraded REIT case
REGULATION, LEGAL & COMPLIANCE DEC 22, 2015
LPL to pay $750K in latest nontraded REIT case

New Hampshire securities regulator claims unsupervised sale to 81-year-old investor was unsuitable and resulted in significant losses.

By Alessandra Malito
RETIREMENT PLANNING DEC 20, 2015
Roskam anticipates House approval of bill to stop DOL fiduciary rule

The author of legislation that would halt the Labor Department's fiduciary rule anticipates the measure will make it at least to the House floor.

By Mark Schoeff Jr.
The case for why the DOL fiduciary rule won't kill IRA rollovers
RETIREMENT PLANNING DEC 20, 2015
The case for why the DOL fiduciary rule won't kill IRA rollovers

Despite what opponents say, IRA rollovers will likely withstand implementation of the fiduciary rule.

By Greg Iacurci
LPL faces heavy burden in complying with state settlements over REIT sales
ALTERNATIVES DEC 20, 2015
LPL faces heavy burden in complying with state settlements over REIT sales

The firm's settlement with the states was reminiscent of how broker-dealers handled various settlements in paying clients who bought auction rate securities.

By Bruce Kelly
PRACTICE MANAGEMENT DEC 18, 2015
JPMorgan Chase to pay $4M to settle SEC charges that it misled customers on broker comp

Firm falsely claimed brokers in banking unit were paid based on client performance, regulator charged.

By Christine Idzelis
Cantor Fitzgerald ordered to pay $7.3M for allegedly selling unregistered stocks
REGULATION, LEGAL & COMPLIANCE DEC 18, 2015
Cantor Fitzgerald ordered to pay $7.3M for allegedly selling unregistered stocks

Finra orders the firm to pay $7.3 million for selling billions of unregistered microcap shares and having inadequate supervisory policies.

By Alessandra Malito
Fidelity targeted in another ERISA class-action suit
RETIREMENT PLANNING DEC 18, 2015
Fidelity targeted in another ERISA class-action suit

A unit of Fidelity has been targeted in a class-action suit for fiduciary breach under ERISA as a result of its alleged mismanagement of a stable value fund.

By Greg Iacurci
As DOL fiduciary clears latest hurdle, advisers expect changes will be made
REGULATION, LEGAL & COMPLIANCE DEC 18, 2015
As DOL fiduciary clears latest hurdle, advisers expect changes will be made

By Alessandra Malito
Elderly woman awarded more than $1M in churning case against ex-Morgan Stanley broker
PRACTICE MANAGEMENT DEC 18, 2015
Elderly woman awarded more than $1M in churning case against ex-Morgan Stanley broker

Claims against Justin Amaral include liquidating and acquiring annuities for victim by forging her signature.

By Mark Schoeff Jr.
Broker-dealer settles variable annuity allegations for $475,000
LIFE INSURANCE AND ANNUITIES DEC 18, 2015
Broker-dealer settles variable annuity allegations for $475,000

Finra alleges a New Jersey-based broker-dealer failed to reasonably supervise VA sales.

By Greg Iacurci
6 ways the rate hike could be bad for markets
EQUITIES DEC 17, 2015
6 ways the rate hike could be bad for markets

<i>Breakfast with Benjamin</i>: This week's rate hike could hit the markets in a half dozen, mostly bad, ways.

By Jeff Benjamin
Massive spending bill fails to stop DOL fiduciary rule, clearing major hurdle
REGULATION, LEGAL & COMPLIANCE DEC 17, 2015
Massive spending bill fails to stop DOL fiduciary rule, clearing major hurdle

In a victory for proponents of the rule, legislators' policy riders that would have prevented or delayed the regulation did not make it into the massive must-pass spending bill.

By Mark Schoeff Jr.
Third Avenue fund's meltdown sheds new light on the value of prospectus reading
ALTERNATIVES DEC 17, 2015
Third Avenue fund's meltdown sheds new light on the value of prospectus reading

Some advisers swear by it, while others shun it as useless legalese.

By Jeff Benjamin
PRACTICE MANAGEMENT DEC 17, 2015
Finra releases revised broker compensation proposal

Brokerages would have to send an 'educational communication' to investors outlining questions they should ask their broker about compensation and other inducements for switching firms.

By Mark Schoeff Jr.