Regulation, Legal & Compliance

Displaying 11054 results
Older clients at high risk of cybercrimes, lost $3.1B in 2022 alone: Report
RETIREMENT PLANNING NOV 09, 2023
Older clients at high risk of cybercrimes, lost $3.1B in 2022 alone: Report

Lower levels of digital literacy among older Americans leave them vulnerable.

By Steve Randall
ESG is now mainstream despite US skepticism, say investors
REGULATION, LEGAL & COMPLIANCE NOV 08, 2023
ESG is now mainstream despite US skepticism, say investors

US investors pulled $2.7B from sustainable funds in Q3 but global peers are not deterred.

By Bloomberg
Gensler says proposal on AI conflicts aligns with Reg BI 
FINTECH NOV 07, 2023
Gensler says proposal on AI conflicts aligns with Reg BI 

'We're not trying to change Reg BI or change the fiduciary guidance,' the SEC chair says at SIFMA's annual conference.

By Mark Schoeff Jr.
State regulators, PIABA back Finra against claim it’s unconstitutional
REGULATION, LEGAL & COMPLIANCE NOV 06, 2023
State regulators, PIABA back Finra against claim it’s unconstitutional

'Finra provides essential services ... thousands of firms, hundreds of thousands of registered persons, and millions of American investors rely upon,' the North American Securities Administrators Association says in a brief.

By Mark Schoeff Jr.
Robert W. Baird agrees to pay clients $520K for mutual fund charges
INDEPENDENT BROKER DEALERS NOV 06, 2023
Robert W. Baird agrees to pay clients $520K for mutual fund charges

The settlement with Baird stems from Finra's 2020 targeted examination regarding rights of reinstatement.

By Bruce Kelly
Finra arbitrators exonerate Raymond James in scam targeting Ecuadorian investors
INDEPENDENT BROKER DEALERS NOV 03, 2023
Finra arbitrators exonerate Raymond James in scam targeting Ecuadorian investors

'It’s a devastating award, or lack thereof, for the claimants and a massive victory for Raymond James,' says an attorney not involved in the case.

By Mark Schoeff Jr.
Sen. Tim Scott wants to open private markets to more ordinary investors
REGULATION, LEGAL & COMPLIANCE NOV 02, 2023
Sen. Tim Scott wants to open private markets to more ordinary investors

'My suspicion is that if [Scott’s bill] passes, then the number of Main Street investors who are sold an unregistered security will far exceed the number of Main Street investors who actually go looking for such a product,' an advisor says.

By Mark Schoeff Jr.
SEC keeps up pressure on firms' cash sweep accounts
INDEPENDENT BROKER DEALERS NOV 02, 2023
SEC keeps up pressure on firms' cash sweep accounts

'Interest rates are coming back, so where you put clients' money in cash is an issue again,' one attorney notes.

By Bruce Kelly
The insurance industry really doesn't like the DOL's proposed rule
RETIREMENT PLANNING NOV 02, 2023
The insurance industry really doesn't like the DOL's proposed rule

Independent agents who sell annuities could be fiduciaries for the first time.

By Emile Hallez
Tribalism threatens the DOL investment advice rule
RETIREMENT PLANNING NOV 01, 2023
Tribalism threatens the DOL investment advice rule

'The best kind of regulation is when the private sector works with regulators to craft regulation that is efficient, effective, workable and narrowly targeted,' says the architect of the Obama DOL's fiduciary rule.

By Mark Schoeff Jr.
$1.8B penalty over commissions in landmark antitrust case
REGULATION, LEGAL & COMPLIANCE NOV 01, 2023
$1.8B penalty over commissions in landmark antitrust case

Brokerage firms walloped in case that could upend industry.

By Matthew Sellers
DOL's rule would add a lot of fiduciaries into the mix
COMPLIANCE OCT 31, 2023
DOL's rule would add a lot of fiduciaries into the mix

But even those who already work in a fiduciary capacity will be affected, one lawyer says.

By Emile Hallez
Biden criticizes advisors who prioritize their pay over clients’ returns
RETIREMENT PLANNING OCT 31, 2023
Biden criticizes advisors who prioritize their pay over clients’ returns

'I just want you to know we're watching,' President Biden warns advisors who put their own interests above needs of clients.

By Mark Schoeff Jr.
Broker, executive hit with $1M arbitration loss over GWG bonds
ALTERNATIVES OCT 31, 2023
Broker, executive hit with $1M arbitration loss over GWG bonds

'The financial advisor recommended he put the entire amount in GWG L bonds,' the claimant's attorney says.

By Bruce Kelly
DOL takes aim at 'junk fees'
RETIREMENT PLANNING OCT 31, 2023
DOL takes aim at 'junk fees'

New proposal wants to rework definition of a fiduciary and 'close loopholes.'

By Mark Schoeff Jr.
Are white-knuckle traders a dying breed in macro funds?
EQUITIES OCT 31, 2023
Are white-knuckle traders a dying breed in macro funds?

By Bloomberg
Avantax hit with shareholder suit alleging merger misinformation
INDEPENDENT BROKER DEALERS OCT 30, 2023
Avantax hit with shareholder suit alleging merger misinformation

The failure to make adequate disclosures is a violation of federal securities laws, according to the complaint.

By Bruce Kelly
Texas green energy probe threatens banks’ muni deals in state
FIXED INCOME OCT 27, 2023
Texas green energy probe threatens banks’ muni deals in state

At least two banks were dropped from underwriting muni deals since Texas Attorney General Paxton said last week he was probing the energy policies of a group of financial firms.

By Bloomberg
Investment advisor hit by emergency asset freeze
REGULATION, LEGAL & COMPLIANCE OCT 27, 2023
Investment advisor hit by emergency asset freeze

SEC cracks down on California investment advisor for allegedly defrauding elderly clients.

By Matthew Sellers
Silver-coin IRA seller settles with CFTC over alleged $68M fraud
RETIREMENT PLANNING OCT 26, 2023
Silver-coin IRA seller settles with CFTC over alleged $68M fraud

Safeguard Metals allegedly steered retirees who cashed out of IRAs toward high-markup silver coins

By Emile Hallez