In the third release comprising part of the package of proposed rules and forms related to broker-dealers’ and investment advisers’ standards of conduct, the SEC proposed a new disclosure document to be used by registered broker-dealers, registered investment advisers, and dual registrants. The new client relationship summary, or “Form CRS,” would provide certain basic disclosures to retail investors at the account opening stage. Form CRS would be an additive disclosure; it is not designed to…

According to the SEC, its April 18, 2018 release proposing an interpretation of the standard of conduct for investment advisers is intended to “reaffirm – and in some cases clarify – certain aspects of the fiduciary duty that an investment adviser owes to its clients under section 206” of the Investment Advisers Act of 1940. As discussed in greater detail in this alert, however, the proposed interpretation, if adopted, appears to expand the parameters of…

On April 18, 2018, the SEC introduced new Regulation Best Interest for broker-dealers and their associated persons when dealing with retail customers. This alert provides background of broker-dealer regulation, an overview of Regulation Best Interest, and our take on what this means for broker-dealers going forward. This alert is one in a series of Client Alerts on recent SEC proposals regarding regulation of broker-dealers and investment advisers. Read our client alert.…

On April 20, 2018, FINRA issued proposed amendments to Rule 2111’s “quantitative suitability” provisions. According to FINRA, the proposal is designed to more effectively counter the problem of “churning,” or excessive trading in customer accounts. As discussed below, the proposal arrives shortly after the SEC’s proposal of “Regulation BI” and illustrates how these two regulators will need to coordinate in order to ensure that broker-dealers are not subject to inconsistent sets of rules. The proposal,…

On March 19, 2018, FINRA updated its guidance on its recent amendments to Rule 2232. The new requirements, which are currently scheduled to take effect on May 14, 2018, apply to transactions with retail customers (not institutional accounts, as defined in Rule 4512(c)[1]) in corporate and agency debt securities. Beginning on the effective date, FINRA will require confirmation disclosure of additional transaction-related information, including mark-ups and mark-downs, time of execution, and a hyperlink…

On February 15, 2018, the Enforcement Section of the Massachusetts Securities Division (the “Division”) of the Office of the Secretary of the Commonwealth charged a registered broker-dealer (the “Broker-Dealer”) that operated in Massachusetts with violating its own internal policies designed to ensure compliance with the U.S. Department of Labor’s (the “DOL”) Fiduciary Rule. The DOL Fiduciary Rule The DOL Fiduciary Rule significantly expands the scope of persons who will be deemed fiduciaries when dealing with…