The Labor Department's Employee Benefits Security Administration has granted Goldman Sachs a five-year exemption, allowing it to continue overseeing retirement plan assets as a qualified professional asset manager despite the firm's violations of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act.
In that case, which Goldman settled for $2.9 billion last October, the bank's Malaysian subsidiary admitted that it had paid more than $1 billion in bribes to win work raising money for the Malaysian state-owned wealth fund, 1MDB. In all, Goldman agreed to pay about $5 billion in penalties to regulators around the world, including the largest monetary penalty ever assessed under U.S. corporate criminal bribery law.
“This exemption provides only the relief specified in the text of the exemption, and only with respect to the criminal convictions or criminal conduct described herein,” EBSA said in a notice in the Federal Register. “It provides no relief from violations of any law other the prohibited transaction provisions of ERISA and the Code.”
Rajesh Markan earlier this year pleaded guilty to one count of criminal fraud related to his sale of fake investments to 10 clients totaling $2.9 million.
From building trust to steering through emotions and responding to client challenges, new advisors need human skills to shape the future of the advice industry.
"The outcome is correct, but it's disappointing that FINRA had ample opportunity to investigate the merits of clients' allegations in these claims, including the testimony in the three investor arbitrations with hearings," Jeff Erez, a plaintiff's attorney representing a large portion of the Stifel clients, said.
Chair also praised the passage of stablecoin legislation this week.
Maridea Wealth Management's deal in Chicago, Illinois is its first after securing a strategic investment in April.
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Barely a decade old, registered index-linked annuities have quickly surged in popularity, thanks to their unique blend of protection and growth potential—an appealing option for investors looking to chart a steadier course through today's choppy market waters, says Myles Lambert, Brighthouse Financial.
