The Office of the Investor Advocate Speaks on “User Fees” from RIAs
The Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) recently created the Office of the Investor Advocate “to ensure that the concerns of investors are appropriately considered as decisions are being made and policies are being adopted at the Commission, at self-regulatory organizations, … Read More
Merrill Lynch to Pay $32 Million for Unwaived Sales Fees
The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (“FINRA”) has pressed charges against Merrill Lynch in a case of excessive mutual fund sales charges to certain small business and charity client accounts. A payout of $32 million – including an $8 million fine … Read More
Internal Control Oversights Charged to Trans-Atlantic Hedge Fund-Holding Company Partnership by SEC
In yet another case of negligence in regulatory internal controls, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) sanctioned GLG Partners L.P., a UK-based hedge fund adviser, and its US-based holding company, GLG Partners Inc., with failure to implement the “proper controls” … Read More
SEC Elaborates on Issue of Qualified Client Statuses of Specific Private Investors
At the start of November 2013, the Securities and Exchange Commission’s (SEC) Investment Management Division released a Guidance Statement to address certain inquiries regarding the determination of the “qualified client” status under Rule 205-3 of the Investment Adviser’s Act of … Read More
Compliance Program Sanctions Made to Three IA Firms Under SEC Initiative
Enforcement actions by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA), and other US regulatory bodies continue at a steady pace in the fourth quarter of 2013, as the SEC announced in late October that as part … Read More
Best Execution Violations by Nebraska Investment Adviser Lead to Sanctions by SEC
In a recent enforcement case, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) claimed that a Nebraska-based investment advisory firm, Manarin Investment Counsel Ltd., and its owner, Roland R. Manarin, breached a core fiduciary responsibility. The SEC investigation of Manarin found that … Read More
Congress Introduces Bill for SEC Fees on Investment Advisers
A bill for the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to allow the Commission to collect fees from investment advisers for funding of examinations has been recently re-introduced in Congress by Representatives Maxine Waters of California and John Delaney of Maryland. … Read More
Update: California Private Fund Adviser Exemption is Effective
A permanent private fund adviser exemption has been adopted by the California Department of Corporations (the “Department”). The exemption was effective August 27, 2012, following public comments first received between February 20th and March 25th, 2012. Several amendments were made … Read More