COVID-19 Archives - MasterCompliance

FINRA Notice 21-03: Low-Priced Securities Fraud

Posted on March 15, 2021March 15, 2021 by admin

FINRA released regulatory notice 21-03, FINRA Urges Firms to Review Their Policies and Procedures Relating to Red Flags of Potential Securities Fraud Involving Low-Priced Securities, discussing issues with these securities offerings and fraud. Specifically, including those involving COVID-19 and cannabis related businesses, which appear to have been part of potential pump-and-dump or market manipulation schemes that target unsuspecting investors.

In the notice, FINRA states that “Low-priced securities tend to be volatile and trade in low volumes. It may be difficult to find accurate information about them. There is a long history of bad actors exploiting these features to engage in fraudulent manipulations of low-priced securities. Frequently, these actors take advantage of trends and major events — such as the growth in cannabis-related businesses or the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic — to perpetrate the fraud.”

Cybersecurity Training for Employees

Posted on March 11, 2021 by admin

The Covid-19 Pandemic has affected everyone, forcing many to work from home and causing an increase in the use of virtual environments. With it comes a rise in cyber-attacks, as hackers take advantage of the confusion and peoples lack of preparation to break into company networks, and trick people into revealing sensitive information. This blog post will discuss some of the common areas of deficiencies for firm’s cybersecurity training programs, and a few tips for improving those programs to keep your firm and employees protected.

COVID-19 and Fixed Income Update

Posted on March 11, 2021March 11, 2021 by admin

FINRA Rule 2232 requires firms to provide retail customers with mark-up disclosure (and other related disclosures) for trades in corporate and agency debt securities that firms offset on the same day with other principal trades in the same security. Disclosed mark-ups must be calculated from a security’s Prevailing Market Price (PMP), consistent with FINRA Rule 2121 and applicable FAQ guidance. On April 24, 2020 FINRA released a very valuable FAQ on Fixed Income Mark-up Disclosure with important updates related to disclosure requirements for broker dealers. Broker dealers and their employees are braving a whole new world with various work from home and virtual meeting and operations challenges. FINRA makes updates to the FAQ’s so it is important to check back often for the most up to date information.

AML and Branch Audits in the Time of COVID-19

Posted on October 1, 2020 by SCM Communications

At the beginning of the year, FINRA released important updates related to supervision requirements for broker-dealers. As broker-dealers and their employees started experiencing various work-from-home, virtual meeting, and operations challenges, FINRA provided valuable guidance for the transition in a FAQ related to the coronavirus pandemic. Below are a few items where FINRA has provided areas of relief related to AML and Branch audits. AML Independent Testing FINRA Rule 3310, Anti-Money Laundering (“AML”) Compliance Program, requires firms to perform independent testing of their AML program every calendar year. If a member firm neither executes transactions for customers, holds customer accounts, nor Read more about AML and Branch Audits in the Time of COVID-19[…]

Cybersecurity in the Time of COVID-19

Posted on September 15, 2020 by SCM Communications

For many firms, a remote workforce is now a new reality. Even with many states’ shelter-in-place restrictions lifting, firms are continuing with their work-from-home strategies for the majority of their staff. This transition and the related challenges have forced firms to re-evaluate their current cybersecurity and remote policies and procedures. The following considerations are important to ensure that your remote staff has the tools in place to adhere to regulatory rules, firm procedures, and best practices.

Code of Ethics Concerns During COVID-19 and Beyond

Posted on June 26, 2020 by SCM Communications

COVID-19 has bought a “new normal”. From stay-at-home orders and teleworking requirements to market volatility, consumer worry, and delayed public disclosure, the face of the industry will be forever changed. In light of this, Registered Investment Advisor compliance departments should consider reviewing the landscape of the Code of Ethics requirements.