January Regulatory Updates from Cari Hopsfenperger at Hardin Compliance Consulting LLC.

Topics include:

• SEC Approves Amendments to FINRA New Issue and Anti-Spinning Rules
• The Clock is Ticking: Comment Period on Proposed Amendments to Advertising Rule Ends February 10, 2020
• CFTC Approves CPO & CTA Exemptions from Registration for Qualifying Family Offices and BDCs, Simplifies Reporting Obligations
• Regulatory Baby Steps: SEC Approves Four New Semi-Transparent Active ETFs
• SEC Publishes Small Entity Compliance Guide on New ETF Rule
• Advisers Relying on Exemptions from CPO or CTA Registration Should Mark their Calendars for February 29
• Lessons Learned from SEC and FINRA Cases: The Case Against Putting all your Eggs in One Basket; Caught Between a Rock and a Hard Place; Jefferies Caught in SEC Investigation Over ADR Pre-Release Abuses and Fined $1.25 million

Read more here

Cari Hopfensperger from Hardin Compliance Consulting LLC shares these important deadlines and to-dos:

• Annual Renewal Program for IARD System
• Form 13F
• Blue Sky Filings (Form D)
• Form PF for Large Hedge Fund Advisers
• Form CTA-PR
• Form CPO-PQR
• FINRA 2020 Renewal Program Preparations
• Rule 17a-5 Monthly and Fifth FOCUS Part II/IIA Filings
• Annual Audit Reports for Fiscal Year-End September 30, 2019
• SIPC-7 Assessment
• SIPC-3 Certification
• SIPC-6 Assessment

On June 5, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) approved its highly anticipated package of rulemakings and interpretive guidance relating to the standards of care applicable to financial professionals when making recommendations and providing investment advice to retail investors.

Included in this package was the SEC’s new Regulation Best Interest, which will likely require transformative changes for much of the retail brokerage industry.

With an effective date of June 30, 2020, what concrete steps should broker-dealers consider taking as they work toward compliance by the deadline?

Read more here.