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Events  |  05-08-20

Webinar: Preserving and Growing your IBD/RIA Business in the Time of COVID-19

Please join moderator Lilian Morvay, Principal and Founder of Independent Broker Dealer Consortium, LLC (“IBDC”) and Bates Expert, along with panelists including Bates Alternative Products Testifying Expert Robert “Bob” Reidy, as they discuss the effects that Covid-19 may have on claims against BDs/RIAs, insurance concerns and considerations and opportunities to expand your businesses. Hosted by Bates Group and IBDC.

May 12, 2020 3:00 pm Eastern/12:00 pm Pacific

Bates News  |  05-07-20

Bates Group Welcomes New Managing Director Steven Engel

Bates is proud to welcome Steven Engel as a new Managing Director on the Bates Compliance team. At Bates, Steven will be working directly with clients to support their risk and compliance activities and solutions.

Bates Research  |  04-30-20

FINRA Carries On: Focuses on High-Risk Brokers, Broker Beneficiaries, Arb Postponement & Reg BI

While the COVID-19 pandemic continues to create unusual and difficult challenges for the financial service industry, FINRA continues to move forward with regulatory matters that warrant attention. In this article, Bates reviews recent FINRA developments on high-risk brokers, proposed limitations on brokers acting as beneficiaries, executors or trustees for senior investors, additional COVID-19-related hearing postponements, a recent arbitration proposal related to claims against inactive members and further remarks on Regulation Best Interest (Reg BI).

Events, Compliance and Regulatory Alerts  |  04-28-20

This Week at Bates: Countdown to Form CRS for IAs Webinar

The countdown is on! Join our complimentary Form CRS for IAs webinar Thursday, April 30, 2020. Specifically designed for SEC-registered IAs, this webinar will help you tackle Form CRS with confidence. Presented by Bates Compliance.

Bates Research  |  04-21-20

Coronavirus and the Approaching Business Interruption Insurance Storm

These are uncertain times for insurers. In a report issued on March 31, 2020, Congressional Research Service (“CRS”) staff noted the likelihood that “loss of income from mandatory or voluntary closures, supply chain disruptions, and reduced demand due to social distancing measures may induce businesses of all sizes to seek compensation from insurers.”

That was clearly an understatement. Now, market participants are sounding alarms about a wave of state and federal legislation that would shift onto insurers a significant portion of the burden to compensate businesses from the massive losses resulting from pandemic-related shutdowns. Bates takes a look at these legislative moves, early legal action taken by policyholders seeking coverage for business interruption losses as a consequence of the coronavirus (COVID-19), and the reaction by the insurance industry.  

Compliance and Regulatory Alerts  |  04-15-20

SEC Adopts Final Rule on Variable Contract Disclosure, Effective July 1, 2020

The SEC recently adopted new Rule 498A under the Securities Act, including various supporting amendments, to “simplify and streamline” the disclosure framework for variable annuities and variable life insurance contracts. As Bates described when the rule was first proposed, the new rule allows for a plain-English, easy to read, concise “summary prospectus” to satisfy obligations under the securities laws concerning variable product prospectus delivery. Read more to prepare for the July 1, 2020 effective date.

Compliance and Regulatory Alerts  |  04-09-20

SEC Issues Risk Alerts on Compliance with Reg BI and Form CRS

On April 7, 2020, the SEC Office of Compliance Inspections and Examinations issued two new alerts to broker-dealers and investment advisers about the “expected scope and content” of its compliance examinations for Reg BI and the Client Relationship Summary (“Form CRS”). Previously, SEC Chair Jay Clayton announced that the June 30, 2020 compliance deadline for Reg BI will not be delayed due to the impact of COVID-19. These alerts, therefore, underscore the need for firms to be prepared and compliant by the deadline. Here, we detail what the SEC is expecting from you and firms.

Bates Research  |  04-03-20

Reg BI: SEC Keeps June 30th Deadline, FINRA Seeks to Amend Suitability Rule

Over the past few weeks the coronavirus pandemic has overtaken the nation’s financial agenda and diverted the attention of financial regulators who are struggling to keep up and address urgent market needs. These actions have left some firms curious as to whether the rollout of Regulation Best Interest (“Reg BI”) may be delayed. Well, the wait is over, and SEC Chair Clayton has weighed in. Meanwhile, FINRA has pushed forward amendments to its rules on suitability and non-cash compensation, and the SEC has filed a brief in the Second Circuit Court of Appeals arguing for rejection of state petitions for review of the Reg BI final rule. There is so much happening and many moving parts. Here’s what you need to know.

Compliance and Regulatory Alerts  |  04-01-20

Five Supervision, Control and Compliance Items You Should be Considering Now

Compliance is challenging to begin with, but in this new landscape, it is an even greater stretch for compliance teams to manage company-wide systems while working remotely. Here are five items you should be thinking about when addressing supervision and control functions.

Compliance and Regulatory Alerts  |  03-26-20

Update: SEC Amends ADV Filing and Delivery Deadline Extensions due to COVID-19

The SEC’s IAA Release No. 5469 on Wednesday, March 25, 2020 amends its IAA Release No. 5463 and now allows for extending the filing and delivery deadline dates of the Form ADV amendment to June 30, 2020 due to COVID-19 and its consequences. The SEC has also amended the notice requirements—find out what you MUST do if you cannot meet the filing deadlines.