At the beginning of every year, the Securities and Exchange Commission’s (“SEC’s”) Office of Compliance Inspections and Examinations (“OCIE”) identifies its examination priorities for the coming year. These priorities, which are based on perceived heightened risks to investors and the U.S. capital markets, address a wide variety of issues impacting financial firms throughout the U.S. marketplace.[1] This year, one of the most notable additions is a focus on retail sales practices, including investment advice through automated or digital platforms “robo-advisers.”
[1] National Exam Program, Examination Priorities for 2017, Office of Compliance Inspections and Examinations. For more information, please see https://www.sec.gov/about/offices/ocie/national-examination-program-priorities-2017.pdf.
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