I continue to wade my way through a few months’ worth of cases, press releases, etc., looking for things that manage to catch my attention. I found this SEC settlement from the end of July involving Integral Financial, a BD...more
As everyone is likely well aware, one of the principal changes that happened when FINRA retired the old suitability rule – NASD Rule 2310 – and replaced it with shiny new FINRA Rule 2111 back in 2012 was the broadening of the...more
After having proudly served for decades, and surviving a dramatic face-lift in 2012 (when old NASD Rule 2310 was replaced by shiny new FINRA Rule 2111), it seems that the “suitability rule,” as we’ve come to know it, has, at...more
The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc. filed proposed amendments with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 19, 2020, to FINRA Rule 2111 (Suitability Rule) and Capital Acquisition Broker (CAB) Rule 211...more
On June 5, 2019, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) adopted Regulation Best Interest (“Regulation BI”) to improve investor protection by establishing a standard of conduct for broker-dealers making...more
On February 13, 2020, the NAIC Executive Committee adopted revisions to the Suitability in Annuity Transactions Model Regulation (#275) (Revised Suitability Model), which incorporates a best interest standard of conduct for...more
On December 30, 2019, the Life Insurance and Annuities (A) Committee approved a revised Suitability in Annuity Transactions Model Regulation (Revised Suitability Model), ending a flurry of activity over the past year....more
On June 5, 2019, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) adopted Regulation Best Interest (“Regulation BI”). The goal of Regulation BI is to improve investor protection by: (1) enhancing the obligations that apply...more
This post is about Reg BI, but if you really want to learn about it, as opposed simply to listening to me gripe, I urge you to register for the webcast that my partners Heidi VonderHeide and Rob Betman will present on...more
Bass, Berry & Sims attorney Chris Lazarini reviewed a putative class case filed against a brokerage firm alleging that the firm breached its client agreement by purchasing risky reverse convertible notes (RCNs) for clients...more
BROKER-DEALER - FINRA Issues Regulatory Notice Reminding Members of SEC's Adoption of a Best Interest Standard of Conduct - On August 7, the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) issued Regulatory Notice...more
Ohio Department of Insurance Director Jillian Froment, the new chair of the Annuity Suitability Working Group (Working Group), invited regulators and interested parties to build the required standard of care foundation for...more
Nearly ten years ago, FINRA decided to update its old suitability rule, NASD Rule 2310. It had been around a long time, and while it seemed to work fine, FINRA decided to incorporate into the new amended rule – FINRA Rule...more
On June 5, 2019, the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) voted to adopt “Regulation Best Interest,” which is intended to increase the duties a broker-dealer owes to its clients. While SEC-registered investment advisors...more
In connection with the US Securities and Exchange Commission’s (SEC) proposed Regulation Best Interest, the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) has asserted (with some case law support from the SEC) that its...more
At the 2018 NAIC Summer National Meeting, regulators continued their efforts to define the standard of care that applies to recommendations. This subject was discussed at both the Annuity Suitability (A) Working Group...more
FINRA recently proposed to remove the broker’s “control” of a securities account as a required element of a “quantitative suitability” violation under Rule 2111....more
New York’s Department of Financial Services decided to bid farewell to 2017 and ring-in the new year by proposing to amend Suitability in Annuity Transactions, 11 NYCR 224 (the Annuity Suitability Rule). On December 27, 2017,...more
FINRA recently released updated and revised Sanction Guidelines and an accompanying Regulatory Notice that, among other things, call for stricter penalties against broker-dealers who commit fraud or violate suitability rules....more
FINRA is encouraging broker-dealers (BDs) to act in their customers’ best interests, although the "suitability" standard applicable to BDs does not expressly require it. For example, in 2012, FINRA implemented an...more
Abstract: Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to interpret Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) Regulatory Notice 13-31, which provides practical advice to member firms about how FINRA will be...more
The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc. has released a Regulatory Notice regarding Rule 2111 (Suitability). Regulatory Notice 13-31 does not create or alter existing guidance and interpretations with respect to the...more
FINRA has clarified that its Suitability Rule applies to broker dealers' assessment of EB-5 transactions, but that the broker can and should assess the immigration benefit among the economic interests of the investor. ...more
In an interpretive letter to a broker-dealer dated August 26, 2013, FINRA (Financial Industry Regulatory Authority) interpreted the suitability requirements under Rule 2111 for recommendations to foreign nationals making...more
In May 2012, the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority provided guidance on Rule 2111 (Suitability) by providing answers to frequently asked questions (FAQs). Answers that supersede some of these FAQs and additional FAQs...more