SEC Charges Two RIAs and Merrill Lynch with Cash Sweep Programs Compliance Failures

On January 17, 2025, the SEC announced that it had settled charges against two Registered Investment Advisers (RIAs), as well as against Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated (Merrill Lynch). Aside from being a broker-dealer, Merrill Lynch is an...

Acting As Unregistered Brokers Causes Big Problems for a RIA and its IARs

On January 14, 2025, three Investment Adviser Representatives (IARs) settled charges brought by the SEC for acting as unregistered brokers. “This case highlights yet another way the StraightPath Funds were marketed and reflects that being associated with a registered...

SEC Charges RIA with Misleading Investors about its Investment Strategy

SEC Charges RIA with Misleading Investors about its Investment Strategy On September 19, 2024, the SEC charged an Idaho-based Registered Investment Adviser (RIA) with making misleading statements, as well as compliance failures, related to the firm’s execution of its...

SEC Risk Alert Provides Long-Awaited Guidance on Marketing Rule Compliance

On April 17, 2024, the SEC provided Registered Investment Advisers (RIAs) with its observations regarding firms’ compliance with the Marketing Rule. It is imperative for RIAs to take note of those observations and to be observant as they implement their compliance...