The SEC just issued a press release announcing that they filed a record number of enforcement cases in the 2014 fiscal year that ended September 30. The SEC reported that…

As my Compliance career has progressed, I’ve noticed a few recurring themes like, we sure could use more Analysts and there must be better a better way. While that may…

Trust, an essential element in the relationship between financial Representatives , the public and the regulators is delicate and must be nurtured over time . . . and it can…

Summer temperatures in Texas are heating up almost as fast as the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority’s (FINRA’s) monthly “Disciplinary and Other FINRA Actions” publication. Reported recently by ThinkAdvisor.com citing an…

Several states have now joined the SEC and FINRA’s initiative to assess cybersecurity preparedness and have sent out questionnaires or will be shortly. These questionnaires contain questions ranging from the…

The Security and Exchange Commission (SEC) recently issued an update regarding “Guidance on the Testimonial Rule and Social Media”. This Guidance discusses how financial advisers may use testimonials on social…

In May 2014 the SEC Deputy Director announced the SEC’s Presence Exam Initiative is nearly complete. The Presence Exam Initiative is being implemented in order to strengthen transparent regulation of…

With all the high profile data breaches lately (Target, Chase, Michael’s Stores, American Express etc.), it was inevitable that FINRA and the SEC, along with the State regulators, would not…

Barclays Capital Inc. self-reported to FINRA that it failed to preserve electronic business-related records in non-rewritable, non-erasable format (also referred to as “Write-Once, Read-Many” or “WORM” format). Specifically, Barclays reported…

Without proper preparation and an adequate compliance program, the National Futures Association (NFA) Exam can be burdensome and lead to NFA disciplinary action. Beginning in 2013, many investment advisers to…

If you are interested in seeing what the SEC’s Exam Priorities are for 2014, please click here to download their letter. Red Oak can help you prepare and respond to…

We believe many states are finding deficiencies similar to what the Texas State Securities Board’s (“TSSB”) has published in their newsletter, “Texas Regulatory Review”. The TSSB’s recent publication offers insights…