Changes to the Definition of Accredited Investor

The Securities and Exchange Commission made some small changes to the definition of “accredited investor” last week. The changes had been first proposed last December. The definition of “accredited investor” is at the nexus of the Securities and Exchange Commission’s missions: (1) to protect investors, (2) to maintain fair, orderly, and efficient markets, and (3) … Read more »

SEC Continues to Be Concerned About COVID

The Office of Compliance Inspections and Examinations released a new risk alert last week on COVID-19 compliance risks for broker-dealers and investment advisers. OCIE broke the concerns into six categories: protection of investors’ assets; supervision of personnel; practices relating to fees, expenses, and financial transactions; investment fraud; business continuity; and the protection of investor and … Read more »

SEC Reaction to Form CRS

Registered Investment Advisers had a June 30th deadline for delivery of the new Form CRS to their clients. The forms also need to be filed with the SEC. If you thought the SEC would not look at them, you were wrong. The SEC’s new Standards of Conduct Implementation Committee has been reviewing the Form CRS … Read more »

New FinCEN FAQs on Client Due Diligence

The Financial Crimes Enforcement Network issued its latest collection of Frequently Asked Questions on the requirements for Customer Due Diligence requirements for Covered Financial Institutions. For anyone looking for decisive answers and bright-line tests, you’ll have to look elsewhere. The answers will leave you wondering why FinCEN even bothered to publish this answers. Private fund … Read more »

Robbing Peter to Pay Paul

In browsing the charges against Michael Barry Carter, it seemed like a typical case of a financial adviser stealing from his clients. The total amount was large. The math of how much he stole from his clients and how much he pocketed confused me in browsing the two press releases. The US Attorney’s headline has … Read more »