Rule 17a-5 under the Exchange Act requires broker-dealers to undergo an annual audit conducted by an independent public accountant and to file an annual report containing audited financial statements and certain supporting schedules with the SEC and the broker-dealer’s designated … Read More
If your firm advises clients from an office in California — or has more than a handful of California clients — you likely need to register as an investment adviser with the California Department of Financial Protection and Innovation (DFPI). … Read More
On May 25, 2011, the SEC adopted final rules establishing a whistleblower program pursuant to Section 922 of the Dodd-Frank Act. The final rules were approved by a narrow 3-2 vote by the five SEC commissioners, and are designed to … Read More
Rule 506 under Regulation D, the most widely used exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, permits issuers to offer and sell securities to an unlimited number of “accredited investors” and up to 35 non-accredited investors. … Read More
Rule 205-3 of the Advisers Act provides an exemption from the general prohibition on charging performance-based fees and permits SEC-registered investment advisers to charge such fees to “qualified clients.” Currently, a client is a “qualified client” under the dollar amount … Read More
Over the past few months, several states have commenced the process of adopting revised investment adviser registration requirements and new exemptions. These changes are based on the increase in the assets under the management threshold for SEC registration and the … Read More
As part of the SEC’s attempt to increase the effectiveness of its enforcement program, the SEC has undergone a complete reorganization of the Division of Enforcement, which has resulted in more enforcement actions, including some which have been highly publicized. … Read More
The Investment Adviser Section of the North American Securities Administrators Association (NASAA) recently released proposed changes to the NASAA model investment adviser custody rule. The most controversial aspect of the model rule, as originally proposed, was the requirement that advisers … Read More
On Friday, April 8, 2011, the Associate Director of the SEC’s Division of Investment Management, Robert E. Plaze, issued a letter to the President of the North American Securities Administrators Association (NASAA), indicating that the SEC will likely grant additional … Read More