SEC Sanctions RIA for Charging Excessive Advisory Fees

On August 25, 2023, the SEC accused a dually registered investment adviser/broker-dealer with overcharging thousands of clients. The firm overcharged approximately 10,945 investment advisory accounts by more than $26.8 million in advisory fees. The firm agreed to pay...

RIA’s Hypothetical Performance Ads Cause Real Life Compliance Problems

On August 21, 2023, the SEC charged a New York-based FinTech investment adviser with using misleading hypothetical performance metrics in the firm’s advertisements. This enforcement action is particularly noteworthy, because it is the first case brought involving...

SEC Enhances Recordkeeping Requirements and Bolsters Regulation of Private Fund Advisers

On August 23, 2023, the SEC adopted new rules and rule amendments to enhance the regulation of private fund advisers. The SEC also updated Rule 206(4)-7 under the Investment Advisers Act, better known as the Compliance Rule, which applies to all Registered Investment...

Off-Channel Communications Will Lead to Record-keeping Violations

On August 8, 2023, the SEC charged eleven financial services firms, including a dually registered broker-dealer (BD) and Registered Investment Adviser (RIA), with widespread record-keeping violations. The firms acknowledged their wrongdoing and agreed to pay combined...