Fee Mistakes Will Cause Problems for Advisers

RIA Compliance Group has observed that SEC and state examiners are scrutinizing advisory firms’ fee arrangements and disclosures. Registered Investment Advisers (RIAs) must ensure that they have fully disclosed all of their fees in Form ADV including, but not limited...

Another SEC Action Related to Mutual Fund Share Classes and Best Execution

On April 27, 2022, the SEC announced that it settled charges against a Registered Investment Adviser (RIA) in Downers Grove, Illinois. The SEC alleged that the RIA breached its fiduciary duty to advisory clients by failing to: Fully disclose its conflicts of interest;...

SEC Enforcement Actions Signal Continued Scrutiny of 12b-1 Fees, Revenue Sharing Arrangements, and Wrap Fee Programs

In recent weeks, the SEC has continued to bring enforcement actions against Registered Investment Advisers (RIAs) that breached their fiduciary duty to advisory clients. These enforcement actions demonstrate the SEC’s concerns about RIAs that breach their fiduciary...

Fiduciary Duty Goes Well Beyond Share Class Selection

Investment advisers may have noticed the SEC’s recent Share Class Selection Disclosure Initiative and thought they had nothing to learn from the 79 enforcement actions. The reality is that even investment advisers who are not affiliated with a broker-dealer can...