compliance

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  Massachusetts Sues LPL for Non-Traded REIT Violations

  By Janet Levaux, AdvisorOne  |  December 12, 2012

  The complaint is focused on about 570 sales worth about $26.5 million.

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  BrightScope, Arkovi Partner on New Social Media Platform

  By Melanie Waddell, AdvisorOne  |  January 20, 2012

  BrightScope has partnered with Arkovi, a financial services social media solution for archiving and compliance, to help investment professionals use social media safely and to help them store, monitor and analyze content.

• FINRA Charged With Poor Transparency, Needs Closer Scrutiny—Compliance Watch

  By Melanie Waddell, AdvisorOne  |  July 22, 2011

  The non-governmental regulator lacks the 'checks and balances' of other government regulators, U.S. Chamber of Commerce charges.

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  Confusion About New FINRA Rule Requiring Back-Office Staff Exams—Compliance Watch

  By Melanie Waddell, AdvisorOne  |  July 15, 2011

  Two areas of uncertainty remain for BDs regarding FINRA's new rule requiring operations personnel to take a FINRA exam: which personnel must take the exam and which exam they will take.

• From FINRA Case, a Cautionary Tale on Immediate Annuities—Compliance Watch

  By Elizabeth D. Festa  |  July 1, 2011

  A FINRA arbitration panel recently decided in favor of a broker against his former BD in a dispute over a U4 involving an examination over advertisements for a fixed annuity product.

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  FINRA to Stay Aggressive, Focus on Structured Products—Compliance Watch

  By Elizabeth D. Festa  |  June 23, 2011

  At times of great market volatility, says FINRA's Brad Bennett, suitability and marketing problems rise.

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  SEC Cracks Down on RIA, BD Compliance Officers--Compliance Watch

  By Elizabeth D. Festa  |  June 16, 2011

  Two recent SEC cases signal, says a former examiner, that CCOs and their firms are unaware of their vulnerability and liability.

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  Planners Beware: More Probes by CFP Board; Reg S-P Victory Gives It More Teeth—Compliance Watch

  By Elizabeth D. Festa  |  June 10, 2011

  CFP Board enforcement chief Shaw says 1,500 investigations launched in 2010; bankruptcies new focus.

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  Advisors Beware, Client Testimonials on Social Media = Advertising—Compliance Watch

  By Elizabeth D. Festa  |  June 2, 2011

  Steps that social-media using advisors should take to avoid getting dinged by SEC examiners: focus on testimonials and file retention on LinkedIn and Facebook.