Continuing Education Archives

FINRA’s Changes to Continuing Education

Posted on November 26, 2021November 26, 2021 by admin

FINRA has adopted important changes to its continuing education (CE) and registration rules to train registered persons more effectively while accommodating registered persons, particularly women and underrepresented minorities, whose personal circumstances take them away from the industry for a time. Maintaining Qualifications Program FINRA has amended the CE rules to provide that beginning March 15, 2022, eligible individuals who terminate any representative or principal registration category, including any permissive registration category under Rule 1210.02, have the option of maintaining their qualification for the terminated registration category beyond the current two-year qualification period by completing annual CE through a new program, Read more about FINRA’s Changes to Continuing Education[…]

Change to New York IAR Registration

Posted on March 3, 2021March 3, 2021 by admin

On December 1, 2020, the state of New York adopted new regulations that amended its Investment Advisory Act to require the registration of investment adviser representatives (“IAR”) including principals, supervisors, and solicitors through the WebCRD/IARD system. Prior to the rule change, New York was the only state that did not license IAR via the WebCRD/IARD system. The change to to New York IAR registration will go into effect on February 1, 2021 for all new registrants, and December 2, 2021 for any New York IARs already providing services, provided they apply for registration by August 31, 2021. The Amendments The Read more about Change to New York IAR Registration[…]

Our Top 5 Blogs of 2020

Posted on January 29, 2021 by admin

MasterCompliance continues to provide clients and the public with guidance on industry focus areas, new rules, compliance foundations, and regulatory priorities. This blog explores our top 5 blogs of 2020.

NASAA’s New Rule on IAR CE

Posted on January 15, 2021February 8, 2021 by SCM Communications

The North American Securities Administrators Association (“NASAA”) recently adopted a new rule that will require Investment Advisor Representatives (“IARs”) to complete 12 credit hours of Continuing Education annually, 6 for IAR Ethics and Professional Responsibility Requirements and 6 for IAR Products and Practice Requirements. This will be the first time IARs have been subject to Continuing Education and as NASAA president Lisa A. Hopkins states, is intended to “promote heightened regulatory compliance while also helping investment adviser representatives better serve their clients by remaining knowledgeable of current regulatory requirements and best practices.”

FINRA Proposal to Enhance Continuing Education

Posted on March 20, 2020March 20, 2020 by SCM Communications

The Securities Industry/Regulatory Council on Continuing Education (CE Council) recently presented a proposal to FINRA regarding Continuing Education (CE) requirements. The request for comments expires on April 20, 2020.

Firm Element Advisory Posted

Posted on October 14, 2016 by SCM Communications

FINRA Rule 1250(b) discusses FINRA’s Firm Element continuing education requirements. Firm Element continuing education requirements apply to “covered persons”, which is defined as registered persons – including salespeople, traders, sales assistants, investment company shareholder servicing agents, investment bankers, and others who have direct contact with public customers in the conduct of a securities sales, trading, or investment banking business – and their immediate supervisors. The term “customer” in the definition of covered persons includes retail, institutional, and investment banking customers, but does not apply to other broker-dealers. Member firms are required to analyze and evaluate their training needs in light of the firm’s size, organizational structure, scope of business, and types of products and services offered, as well as regulatory developments and the performance of its registered persons pursuant to the Regulatory Element of FINRA Rule 1250(a).