OCIE Announces 2015 Priorities -

The SEC’s Office of Compliance, Inspections and Examinations (OCIE) recently announced its selected list of 2015 examination priorities for investment advisers, broker-dealers, and transfer agents. These priorities generally address high-risk practices and products affecting market participants on both individual and national scales. They are grouped into three primary areas:

1) Protecting Retail Investors and Investors Saving for Retirement. OCIE is concerned that trends in retail investment resulting from the current low interest rate environment could present heightened risks for the average investor, as many in the financial services industry are resorting to traditionally alternative or institutional forms of investment to generate higher yields. Additionally, in response to the increase in importance of personal investment accounts for retirement purposes, financial services firms are expanding their products and services to help investors plan for retirement. To investigate the risks created by these growing trends, OCIE plans various examination initiatives, including...