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.
New DOL Rule: A Q&A For RIAs & Private Funds
The Department of Labor (DOL) has issued yet another new rule set to shake things up for financial professionals who assist investors with their qualified retirement accounts. Here's a breakdown...
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New Jersey Advisor Wins Expungement Of Denied 2006 Customer Dispute
This New Jersey-based advisor in the midst of his fourth decade in the financial services industry had a single disclosure on his BrokerCheck record, which was a denied dispute from...
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AdvisorLaw Wins Dispute Expungement, Clears Connecticut Advisor’s Record
An advisor in Connecticut had two customer disputes from 2002 and 2003 on an otherwise clean record that dated back to 1997. After living with the marks for more than...
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FINRA Expungement Costs Skyrocket: Exploring Alternative Forums
As recently reported, new FINRA data reveals a significant drop in expungement requests through its own Dispute Resolution forum, since the implementation of stricter policies in October of last year....
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New Jersey Advisor Wipes Sole Disclosure From His Public Records
This New Jersey-based advisor had been in the industry for about 24 years with an exemplary track record. But one, denied customer dispute on his records since 2016 indicated otherwise....
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RIA M&A: Navigating The Evolving Landscape
The registered investment advisor (RIA) M&A market is undergoing a significant transformation. After a decade of continuous growth, deal volume witnessed a slight dip in 2023. However, industry experts anticipate...
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50-Plus-Year Industry Veteran Wins Expungement Of Two Disclosures
A Santa Monica, California-based advisor entering his 51st year in the industry sought to expunge two denied claims from his CRD and public BrokerCheck records. He hired HLBS Law to...
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Noncompete Clauses KO’d By FTC: What Financial Professionals Need To Know
For decades, noncompete clauses have been a standard part of employment contracts in the financial services industry. These clauses restricted financial professionals' ability to move to competitors, after leaving their...
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Minnesota Advisor’s Records Restored With 2011 Dispute Expungement
Approaching his 20th anniversary in the industry, this Minnesota-based advisor had a single customer dispute staining his otherwise spotless records. He hired AdvisorLaw to bring him through FINRA’s Dispute Resolution...
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Why SIFMA’s Proposed Form U5 Fix Could Hurt Financial Advisors
Financial advisors are increasingly finding themselves on the wrong side of defamation claims — thanks to inaccurate information on their Form U5. This form, filed with regulators, details the reasons...
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Texting Trouble: SEC Cracks Down On Unrecorded Communications
The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) is casting a watchful eye on unrecorded communications. Millions in fines have been levied against firms for failing to properly document conversations conducted through...
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Market Crash, False Claim Resolved: Advisor Achieves Perfect Record Through FINRA Expungement
This Florida-based adviser was living with a sole customer dispute from 2002 on his records. In an effort to restore his records to perfect by the time he reaches 30...
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Navigating Financial Advisory Transitions: A Comprehensive Guide
The decision to transition as a financial advisor is a significant one, marked by opportunities for growth and change. However, the process is not without its challenges — particularly when...
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Regulatory Shift? The Supreme Court Challenges SEC’s Authority
In a recent battle at the U.S. Supreme Court, the conservative justices expressed serious reservations about the Securities and Exchange Commission's (SEC) power regarding in-house enforcement proceedings. The issue has...
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FINRA Arbitrator Grants Expungement Of 2011 Customer Dispute For Illinois Advisor
An advisor in Illinois who began his career in the industry back in 2001 had a sole customer dispute on his CRD and public BrokerCheck records. The claim had been...
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E-Signatures: From Convenience To Compliance Minefield
Digital signatures have revolutionized the financial industry — streamlining processes and improving convenience. But with convenience comes risk, and the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) continues to sound the alarm...
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Tucson Advisor Granted Expungement Of Disputes — One Dating Back To 1994
A 38-year industry veteran in Tucson had two disclosures on his CRD and public BrokerCheck records. One was lodged by a customer in 2016, and the other dated back to...
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CFP Board To Publicly Disclose Disciplinary Records: Are You Prepared?
The Certified Financial Planner™ Board of Standards (CFP® Board) is shaking things up with a new policy that could significantly impact CFPs® and their clients. Here's a breakdown of the...
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College Prank No Longer Haunts Career: Advisor Expunges Old Graffiti Charge
An investment adviser representative out of Orange County, California spent 20 years in the industry with a glaring criminal disclosure on his public BrokerCheck record. Tired of living with the...
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Texas Advisor Removes Three, Outdated Disputes With FINRA Expungement
An advisor in Texas with over 30 years of industry experience had three lingering customer dispute disclosures on his record from 2002 and 2003. After spending more than 20 years...
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