Blog
Annual Certification of Compliance Processes
FINRA Rule 3130 serves as an annual requirement to focus on the firm’s overall compliance programs through purposeful interaction between executive members and compliance officers. You might be wondering how firms ensure compliance with this rule. In this blog, we will address some frequently asked questions related to the annual [...]
Compliance Surveillance Trends During COVID-19
The messages are clear. Sales practice concerns, fraud, and operational issues related to the COVID-19 pandemic have arrived. Compliance professionals who are responsible for the surveillance and review of targeted areas of the compliance program should understand what may be coming down the pipe and ensure that their programs are [...]
Benefits of Purchasing a Broker-Dealer
MasterCompliance has been assisting clients with the purchase or sale of broker-dealers and the related FINRA application process since 2003. At times, clients will come to us with the need for a broker-dealer, and often, the best way to accomplish that goal is to buy an existing broker-dealer. There are [...]
Benefits of Starting a New Broker-Dealer
Since 2003, we have been assisting firms with starting new broker-dealers and the related registration process with the FINRA, SEC, and MSRB. Some of the types of broker-dealers that we have assisted in starting new firms include Investment Banking firms; Private Placement firms; Retail firms with clearing relationships; and Merger & Acquisition firms. [...]
Regulation Best Interest: Examination Focus Areas
Last month, the SEC’s Office of Compliance Inspections and Examinations (OCIE) issued a Risk Alert regarding examinations that will focus on broker-dealers’ compliance with Regulation Best Interest. The SEC wanted to make clear that the Regulation Best Interest compliance date of June 30, 2020 will not be extended. The OCIE [...]
Form CRS: Initial Examination Guidance
The June 30th compliance deadline for Regulation Best Interest and Form CRS is quickly approaching. It presents new compliance requirements for broker-dealers and investment advisers engaging in a retail business. […]