The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) has proposed Rule 211(h)(2)-4 which requires an investment adviser registered with the SEC to address conflicts of interest that arise from the use of covered technologies which optimize, predict, guide, forecasts, or directs investment-related behaviors or outcomes.
In a recent Risk Alert by U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”), the Examination Division identified several common issues among newly registered investment advisers (also referred as RIAs): (1) compliance policies and procedures; (2) disclosures and filings; and (3) marketing. Although these findings are based upon examinations of federally registered investment advisers, it’s our experience that newly state registered firms have similar issues.
Although many investment adviser firms desire to outsource the chief compliance officer role to an unaffiliated third-party independent contractor (“Outsourced CCO”), such an arrangement will be scrutinized and could be challenged by the securities regulator as a violation Rule 206(4)-7 or equivalent rule of the state securities regulator depending upon the facts and circumstances.
The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) recently finalized revisions to Rule 205-3 under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, raising the net worth requirements for individuals who are charged performance fees. The SEC increased the threshold requirements for “qualified clients” to account for inflation, as required by the Dodd-Frank Act and section 205(e) of the Advisers Act. The next adjustment for inflation is anticipated in 2026.
On July 26, 2021, the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) announced that 21 investment advisers agreed to settle charges that they failed to file and deliver their CRS Relationship Summary, also known as Form ADV Part 3, to their retail investors. Click here to read the SEC’s full announcement.
On July 21, 2021, the Division of Examinations (the “Division”) of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) released a Risk Alert about its assessment of investment adviser firms associated with wrap fee programs.
The SEC identified multiple areas where the investment advisers examined were deficient in their policies, procedures, and practices related to wrap fee programs, and further noted a range of industry practices that investment advisers might consider adopting to meet their fiduciary duty when recommending and managing wrap fee programs.
