First, an update on the proposed Standards of Conduct for Broker-Dealers and Investment Advisers. Several thousand comments were received by the announced end of the comment period, and the SEC’s website is reflecting comments received after the comment period closed. … Read More ›
On July 11, 2018, the SEC’s Office of Compliance and Examinations (“OCIE”) issued the third Risk Alert for the 2018 fiscal year, “Compliance Issues Related to Best Execution by Investment Advisers,” following “Overview of the Most Frequent Advisory Fee and … Read More ›
On June 19, 2018, the SEC published a draft strategic plan for comment that outlined the Commission’s goals for the next four fiscal years, 2018 through 2022, and asked the public for comments on those goals. The core principles that … Read More ›
Krista S. Zipfel Director Focus 1 Associates LLC July 19, 2018 The sale of Advisor Solutions Group’s key assets adds Krista Zipfel, CFA to Focus 1’s senior leadership team … Read More ›
Last month we talked about the SEC’s proposed Fiduciary Rule (as compared to the DOL’s proposed Fiduciary Rule), but since the proposals do not place a fiduciary obligation on the broker-dealer, I like SEC Commissioner Hester Peirce’s reference to a … Read More ›
Joseph F. Stowell III Director Focus 1 Associates LLC May 30, 2018 Focus 1 Associates Announces the Opening of a Northeast Office, Expansion of Services and the Addition of Joseph F. Stowell III (Derry, NH) – Focus … Read More ›
On April 18, Chairman Clayton addressed an open meeting of the Commission on standards of conduct for broker-dealers and investment advisers. The Chairman outlined the objectives as three-fold: “First, enhance retail investor protection and decision making by: Raising the standard … Read More ›
Most Frequent Advisory Fee and Expense Compliance Issues Identified in Examinations of Investment Advisers The Office of Compliance Inspections and Examinations (“OCIE”) of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission’s National Exam Program issued a Risk Alert on April 12, … Read More ›
Timothy M. Simons, CFA, CIPM, CSCP Member Focus 1 Associates LLC March 28, 2018 Is the DOL Fiduciary Rule Dead? The correct answer is, “pretty much.” On March 15, 2018, the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals, vacated (that means … Read More ›
Our Perspective: We are glad that OCIE has identified their examination priorities for FY 2018, but somewhat disappointed that there is so little change from prior years. Cryptocurrency, ICOs, and Blockchain are fairly new, but the market is still … Read More ›