Industry Insights

Industry Insights

Industry Insights

Industry Insights


Navigate the complexities of financial advising with AdvisorLaw's Industry Insights. Our experts provide actionable analysis on critical areas impacting your practice, including the latest FINRA and SEC/state regulations for brokers, RIAs, and IARs, the nuances of dual registration, strategic insights into Mergers & Acquisitions, evolving enforcement trends, practical regulatory compliance strategies, and effective succession planning. Stay informed, compliant, and positioned for growth with AdvisorLaw's perspectives.

AdvisorLaw Wins $295K For Ameriprise Advisor In Succession Contract Battle
FINRA | Brokers FINRA Disputes & U5 Terminations

AdvisorLaw Wins $295K For Ameriprise Advisor In Succession Contract Battle

AdvisorLaw wins $295K for a veteran Ameriprise advisor in a high-stakes sunset deal breach. Don't let a partner renege on your life's work—learn how Austin Davis, J.D., secures succession payouts...
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FINRA Panel Grants Advisor Expungement Tied to Covid-Impacted Investment
Case Results & Wins

FINRA Panel Grants Advisor Expungement Tied to Covid-Impacted Investment

California advisor represented by HLBS Law wins expungement of three disputes tied to a COVID-impacted student housing DST. FINRA Panel rules the claims "false," citing the advisor's extensive due diligence...
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Did your RIA representatives miss the new IAR CE deadline?
CE Credit Course Dual-Registrants SEC & State | RIAs & IARs

Did your RIA representatives miss the new IAR CE deadline?

Is your IAR registration at risk? Many RIAs are entering 2026 facing "CE Inactive" status due to missed state deadlines. Learn how to bridge the compliance gap, complete your 12-hour...
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FINRA Panel Grants Customer Dispute Expungement For Maryland Advisor
Case Results & Wins

FINRA Panel Grants Customer Dispute Expungement For Maryland Advisor

Maryland advisor with 30 years of experience wins unanimous FINRA expungement of a meritless 2015 customer dispute. The Panel ruled the claims "false and clearly erroneous" regarding an equipment leasing...
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FINRA Panel Grants Expungements Of Groundless Forgery Allegation
FINRA | Brokers FINRA Disputes & U5 Terminations FINRA Expungement & Arbitration

FINRA Panel Grants Expungements Of Groundless Forgery Allegation

A financial advisor in Minnesota with a 24-year unblemished career faced a single, unwarranted customer complaint stemming from post-purchase remorse. The 2024 dispute falsely accused him of forging a signature...
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5 Areas Regulators Are Scrutinizing This ADV Season
RIA Compliance SEC & State | RIAs & IARs

5 Areas Regulators Are Scrutinizing This ADV Season

The March 31, 2026, Form ADV filing deadline is a critical moment of heightened regulatory scrutiny for registered investment advisers (RIAs). Regulators, including the SEC and state authorities, use this...
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FINRA Panel Awards Expungement, Erasing Meritless Complaint Over Unsolicited Outside Investment
FINRA | Brokers FINRA Expungement & Arbitration

FINRA Panel Awards Expungement, Erasing Meritless Complaint Over Unsolicited Outside Investment

A FINRA panel grants full expungement to a Morgan Stanley advisor after proving a client's claim regarding an 'outside real estate investment' was factually impossible. See how HLBS Law cleared...
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FINRA Panel Grants 11 Expungements For Arkansas Financial Advisor
Case Results & Wins

FINRA Panel Grants 11 Expungements For Arkansas Financial Advisor

AdvisorLaw secures a unanimous FINRA arbitration win for a veteran Arkansas advisor, expunging 11 meritless customer disputes. The Panel ruled the claims were false and triggered by a partnership split....
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Key Takeaways From SEC 2026 Examination Priorities
RIA Compliance SEC & State | RIAs & IARs

Key Takeaways From SEC 2026 Examination Priorities

The SEC’s Division of Examinations has released its priorities for fiscal year 2026, signaling a clear shift in focus for registered investment advisers (RIAs). The new agenda emphasizes operational effectiveness...
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Fidelity Manager Challenges “Misleading” U5 Disclosure Over System Credential Sharing
FINRA | Brokers FINRA Disputes & U5 Terminations FINRA Expungement & Arbitration

Fidelity Manager Challenges “Misleading” U5 Disclosure Over System Credential Sharing

AdvisorLaw files for FINRA expungement on behalf of a former Fidelity manager following a misleading Form U5 entry. Learn how 'permitted to resign' disclosures regarding credential sharing can be challenged...
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FINRA Awards Expungement Of Misleading Termination For Florida FA
Case Results & Wins

FINRA Awards Expungement Of Misleading Termination For Florida FA

A committed financial advisor in Parkland, Florida with a career spanning over 15 years faced an unwarranted blemish on his otherwise-impeccable record, due to a delayed and distortive Form U5...
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FINRA Arbitration Panel Awards Expungement Of False Unsuitability Claim
Case Results & Wins

FINRA Arbitration Panel Awards Expungement Of False Unsuitability Claim

A dedicated financial advisor in Honolulu, Hawaii with over 17 years of unblemished service in the securities industry pursued FINRA arbitration to erase a baseless 2021 customer dispute from his...
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Have You Completed Your Annual SEC Review (Rule 206(4)-7)?
RIA Compliance SEC & State | RIAs & IARs

Have You Completed Your Annual SEC Review (Rule 206(4)-7)?

The annual compliance review (Rule 206(4)-7) is the single most critical task for any registered investment adviser (RIA). This is not merely a "check-the-box" exercise—it is your firm’s primary shield...
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Is your Form ADV Part 2 still compliant with the fiduciary duty?
RIA Compliance SEC & State | RIAs & IARs

Is your Form ADV Part 2 still compliant with the fiduciary duty?

Today’s registered investment advisor (RIA) operates under a constantly intensifying spotlight. At the heart of this scrutiny is the fiduciary duty, which mandates that you act solely in your client’s...
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Three Disputes Cleared From Louisiana Rep’s Records
Case Results & Wins

Three Disputes Cleared From Louisiana Rep’s Records

A registered representative (RR) in Louisiana pursued the removal of three inaccurate customer complaint disclosures from his CRD and BrokerCheck records. The entries stemmed from unfounded allegations of unauthorized transactions,...
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The Awkward Truth: Why Multi-Owner RIAs Need Outsourced CCO
Dual-Registrants RIA Compliance SEC & State | RIAs & IARs

The Awkward Truth: Why Multi-Owner RIAs Need Outsourced CCO

For multi-owner RIAs, stop the CCO awkwardness. Our Outsourced CCO service provides neutral, expert oversight, reviewing partner compliance without compromising professional relationships or risking regulatory gaps.
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CE Course: Insights for Advisors Considering Succession, Sale, or Growth through M&A
CE Credit Course

CE Course: Insights for Advisors Considering Succession, Sale, or Growth through M&A

We're excited to announce that Josh Barber from AdvisorLaw was recently featured on the Financial Experts Network (FEN) for a high-value CE course: Insights for Financial Advisors Considering Succession, Sale,...
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FINRA Arbitrator Clears South Carolina Advisor’s Form U5 Termination Entry
Case Results & Wins

FINRA Arbitrator Clears South Carolina Advisor’s Form U5 Termination Entry

A South Carolina-based financial advisor (FA) sought to erase a misleading Form U5 termination disclosure from her CRD and BrokerCheck records. The “allegations” referenced internal reviews of electronic messaging and...
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The Iceberg Of RIA Compliance Costs
FINRA | Brokers RIA Compliance SEC & State | RIAs & IARs

The Iceberg Of RIA Compliance Costs

Don't let compliance oversights sink your firm. Discover the hidden costs of ineffective RIA compliance—like lost productivity, client attrition, and firm devaluation—and learn why proactive compliance is your most crucial...
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Illinois Advisor Secures Expungement of Customer Dispute in FINRA Arbitration
Case Results & Wins

Illinois Advisor Secures Expungement of Customer Dispute in FINRA Arbitration

A registered representative based in Park Ridge, Illinois pursued FINRA arbitration to eliminate a baseless customer complaint from her Central Registration Depository (CRD) and BrokerCheck® records. The disclosure, reported in...
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