Tag Archives: SEC
Will Your Investment Adviser’s Use of an Outsourced CCO Survive Regulatory Scrutiny?
January 11, 2022
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.
SEC Raises Qualified Client Threshold
September 08, 2021
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.
SEC Charges 21 Investment Adviser Firms for Form ADV Part 3 Filing and Delivery Failures
August 02, 2021
The SEC fines Investment Advisers for failing to deliver and file Form CRS, also known as Form ADV Part 3
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.
SEC Risk Alert – Wrap Fee Programs
July 26, 2021
SEC Risk Alert on Use of Wrap Fee Accounts by Investment Advisers
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.
The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) recently announced that during the first half of fiscal year 2021, the SEC has already exceeded previous fiscal year’s record for individual whistleblower awards. Click here for the SEC’s press release.
Texas Securities Board Amends Rules to Harmonize with SEC’s New Accredited Investor Definition
March 29, 2021
On March 21, 2021, the Texas Securities Board adopted several amendments to its rules and regulations for registered investment advisers and other financial institutions, intended to harmonize the state’s rules with the amended definitions of accredited investor and qualified institutional buyer implemented by the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) in December 2020. Concurrently, the Texas Securities Board adopted additional amendments which affect broker dealers and other financial institutions other than registered investment advisers. A summary of the most recent changes adopted by the Texas Securities Board is available here.
SEC Updates Form ADV Part 3/CRS FAQs for Investment Advisers
March 22, 2021
On March 5, 2021, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) added three new questions and answers to its website page with Frequently Asked Questions (“FAQs”) on the Form CRS/Form ADV Part 3 for SEC registered investment adviser serving retail investors. The first new Q&A addresses situations in which an investment adviser or broker dealer with a Form CRS/Form ADV Part 3 filing obligation is dually registered or affiliated with a firm that does not have a Form ADV Part 3/Form CRS filing obligation. The second and third Q&A clarify when and how an SEC-registered investment adviser or broker dealer must file and disseminate the Form ADV Part 3/Form CRS (also referred to as a “relationship summary”) if material and/or nonmaterial changes have occurred.
