electronic communications

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  SEC, FINRA Enforcement Roundup: Insider Trading Ring Busted; Raymond James Hit

  By Marlene Y. Satter, AdvisorOne  |  December 7, 2012

  Among recent actions taken by the SEC and FINRA were the breakup of an insider trading ring; Raymond James getting fined and censured; and proceedings over securities law violations by the Big Four accounting firms' China affiliates.

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  BDs Beware: Social Media Privacy Laws May Conflict With FINRA Rules

  By Melanie Waddell, AdvisorOne  |  July 12, 2012

  “Legislation that limits access to social media information may pose significant challenges for a large number of broker-dealers,” lawyers from Sutherland Asbill & Brennan wrote in a Law360 article.

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  Worst-Case Scenario Is Diluted Fiduciary Standard: TD’s Nally

  By James J. Green, AdvisorOne  |  May 11, 2012

  At NAPFA National, the new head of TDAI made the case for RIAs, younger advisors and female clients, but fretted about Dodd-Frank implementation, and urged advisors to “focus on running a business.”

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  FINRA’s 5 Key Enforcement Trends to Watch in 2012

  By Melanie Waddell, AdvisorOne  |  March 16, 2012

  The significant jump in fines issued by FINRA in 2011 provides a look into the top areas that the regulator will be focusing on in 2012, according to the law firm Sutherland Asbill & Brennan.

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  Bridge Builder

  By James J. Green, AdvisorOne  |  February 1, 2012

  The independent advisory business is a people business.

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  Books and Records Rule

  By Les Abromovitz  |  January 1, 2012

  Thorough and complete books and records enable RIAs to demonstrate that they have fulfilled their fiduciary obligations to clients and complied with applicable rules and regulations.

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  Use and Misuse of Social Media

  By Les Abromovitz  |  January 1, 2012

  Social media is an inexpensive and effective way to communicate with established and prospective clients.  Nevertheless, when RIAs utilize social media to promote their advisory practices, they risk compliance problems for their firms.

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  Client Communication and Miscommunication

  By Les Abromovitz  |  January 1, 2012

  RIA policies and procedures must specify what type of communications should be retained. The safest course of action is for RIAs to retain all communications—to clients, from clients, and about client accounts.  To comply with fiduciary obligations, communications must be thorough and not mislead.