News & Events –

In its latest annual report on examinations and risk monitoring, FINRA offered the regulator’s perspective on strengthening compliance programs on Reg BI and the corresponding Form CRS. FINRA included observations from its compliance reviews on each of the core duties under the two-plus-year-old rule. These areas were also the focus of an SEC Division of Examination Alert on broker-dealer compliance with Reg BI and a recent Bates webinar, cosponsored with NICE Actimize, discussing how broker-dealer firms are adapting their compliance programs in response to Reg BI. The insights offered from both the regulatory officials and the private consulting community offer perspective on what lies ahead. 

Are you a regulated financial institution that operates in New York? If so, it is important to familiarize yourself with the New York State's Department of Financial Services (DFS) Rule 504. The rule was put into place in 2017 and requires companies to establish anti-money laundering (AML) programs that meet the DFS’s specific and strict requirements, and to certify compliance with the regulation annually to the DFS. Bates has the details in this new article.

On January 23, 2023, the New York Department of Financial Services (NYDFS) issued new guidance on regulated entities which custody digital assets, registered either under its BitLicense regime or as limited purpose trust companies. The guidance is intended to offer clarity in regard to NYDFS’s expectations for regulated entities—their custody procedures, processes, practices, and controls over customer digital assets. Bates has the details in this new article from Senior Consultant John Ashley, CIPP/US, CCRS, CRCMP.

Issued on January 10, 2023, the comprehensive report from FINRA’s regulatory operations covers 24 topics addressing issues that "remain perennially important, with updates to reflect evolving risks, industry trends and findings from FINRA’s recent oversight activities." In this article, Bates summarizes FINRA’s continuing and emerging examination priorities. Our annual chart offers insight into how newly observed risks have added to and affected those priorities year over year.

All New York banking organizations—and all New York licensed branches and agencies of foreign banking organizations—must get approval from the New York State Department of Financial Services prior to engaging in virtual currency-related activity. The NYDFS clarified its expectations on that requirement in an industry guidance letter dated December 15, 2022. Bates has the details in a new article.

Banks are quickly realizing that it’s time to embrace crypto customers. With the rise of digital banking, more people are choosing to store their funds in cryptocurrencies, and banks need to be able to accept these customers as part of their services. Here, we look at the important considerations that banks should make as they begin to accept cryptocurrency customers. 

Beginning in August 2021, FINRA examined firms to assess the sufficiency of their practices and controls over options accounts. FINRA just issued an update based on the results, including new guidance on what they want you to consider in order to enhance your supervision and revise your compliance programs.

The SEC recently held a National Seminar on compliance for investment advisers and investment company senior officers. Of the many important panels at the day-long seminar, one was devoted to the SEC’s expectations on investment adviser compliance with ESG requirements. A week later, on November 22, 2022, the regulator announced a $4 million settlement with a large investment adviser for ESG-related compliance failures. Read our new article with takeaways from the seminar, which covered SEC exam concerns, an ESG disclosure proposal update, recent enforcement activity, and a CCO’s advice on ESG compliance.

In its annual report of legal actions taken in FY2022 (ending September 30), the SEC noted its “robust enforcement” efforts to “impose penalties designed to deter future violations, establish accountability from major institutions, and order tailored undertakings that provide potential roadmaps for compliance by other firms.” The numbers bear out just how robust SEC enforcement efforts have been. In this article, Bates takes a look at the details in the new report.

Regulatory and enforcement activity has been brisk since nine federal agencies issued a “Comprehensive Framework for Responsible Development of Digital Assets” in response to President Biden’s Executive Order to collaborate on a “whole of government approach.” 

Since President Biden issued an Executive Order in March 2002 directing agencies to collaborate on a “whole of government approach” for ensuring the responsible development of digital assets, the market has been anticipating the release of the broader framework. The Framework, issued on September 16, 2022, remains a high-level mix of broad directives by nine separate federal agencies which support these goals. Bates has the highlights.

NASAA, the North American Securities Administrators Association, published their 2022 Enforcement Report detailing data collected from 48 jurisdictions in 2021. This annual publication serves several purposes. Primarily, it is an attempt to aggregate the efforts undertaken by state regulators to protect the public from fraud. As Joseph Borg (NASAA 2021-2022 Enforcement Section Chair, pictured) states in his introduction, the report flags concerns about complex theft and misapplication, real estate and energy scams, cryptocurrency, non-fungible tokens, metaverse schemes, and more. Learn what to expect as state regulators assert their jurisdiction over new products, new markets and new marketplaces. Bates has the highlights.

Independent reviews on AML risk are becoming more important, not only to ensure compliance with current regulation and the documentation of all efforts undertaken, but also to uncover systemic weaknesses and to provide corrective recommendations for management. In this article, Bates offers tips to help MSB firms navigate the process, including key elements of a review, timing, and selecting the right reviewer.

On September 30, 2022, FinCEN published first of three final rules (and related Fact Sheet) on the reporting requirements for beneficial ownership information. It goes into effect on January 1, 2024. Until then, FinCEN will be developing reporting forms and other guidance to help companies with their reporting compliance. We look at the highlights of the new reporting rule and what firms should do to prepare.

Each year, the SEC and FINRA release Exam and Risk Monitoring Reports highlighting continuing and emerging concerns for the year. These agency communications serve as a potential notice of subjects scrutinized for future examinations. In this guide, Bates walks you through the exam process and break down what you need to know, including: anticipation and preparation, first contact, document production, interviews, and findings.

NASAA is reminding financial professionals that state regulators remain a force to be reckoned with in an increasingly complex financial marketplace. Describing a need to protect elderly investors from unsuitable products, a need to protect average investors from the risks of confusing contract terms and misleading marketing communications, and to address ongoing and persistent complaints of fraud, NASAA proposed revisions to its Guidelines on REITs. Bates looks at the four proposed revisions and what they could mean for your firm and clients.