
FINRA Head to Leave After More Than 2 Years in Role
Jessica Hopper, head of the influential securities regulator for the brokerage industry, is stepping down in February, with Christopher Kelly stepping in on temporary basis.

Experts: Good RIA Succession Plans Separate Owners from Managers
A panel discussing succession planning also noted giving next-generation managers “permission to fail” as they learn to run their parts of the business.

Certified Financial Planner Board Issues Crypto Guidelines
The nonprofit warns financial planners that crypto-related assets “can be speculative and volatile.”

DOL Extends Comment Period for Independent Contractor Rule
The proposed rule could affect thousands of independent financial advisers who prefer to be classified as independent contractors, rather than employees.

FINRA Prompts Succession Planning for Aging Adviser Industry
Financial Regulator FINRA issues guidance on succession planning for the graying adviser space, including small firms looking to sell.
November SEC Advertising Rule Compliance Date Fast Approaching
Experts with the Wagner Law Group say complying with the marketing rule can be a significant process, and firms need to make sure they are on track for full compliance by early November.

How Thoughts About the SEC’s Regulation Best Interest Have Evolved
SEC Charges Underscore Importance of Digital Communication Management
J.P. Morgan Securities has agreed to pay $125 million to resolve what the SEC calls ‘longstanding failures by the firm and its employees’ to maintain and preserve certain digital communications.
GAO Says SEC’s FINRA Oversight Lacks Sufficient Formality
A new report from the Government Accountability Office suggests the SEC’s performance metrics for FINRA do not measure progress in achieving a specific mission or set appropriate targets against which actual performance can be measured.

Senators Talk GameStop, Meme Stocks, Payment for Order Flow and More
Who gets to define best execution? Is T+1 or T+2 better for market stability? What even is payment for order flow? The Senate Banking Committee tackled all these questions and more at a dynamic Tuesday morning hearing.
SEC Says Advisory Firms May Have to Report PPP Loans
FINRA previously addressed reporting of Paycheck Protection Program loan forgiveness in its FAQs related to COVID-19.

Staying Audit Ready in a Turbulent Time
Prudential Investment Management Consents to FINRA Censure
FINRA says a lapse in sufficient supervision led to retirement plan clients being supplied with inaccurate investment expense ratio and performance information.

‘FINRA Settlement Expungement Process Is Broken,’ Former Regulator Says
Upset in FINRA Board Large Seat Election
Board of Governors candidate-by-petition Chris Flint has defeated the FINRA-preferred candidate Andrew Duff.
FINRA Pledges Resources to Support Members’ SEC Reg BI Compliance
The self-regulatory organization says it will help members implement the SEC's sweeping new conflict of interest disclosure rules.

Legislative and Judicial Actions

Meet Your FINRA Board of Governors Large Firm Candidates
FINRA Share Class Sweep Highlights Importance of Cooperation
The regulator granted significant credit for “extraordinary cooperation” to those firms which were proactive in identifying and fixing issues related to fee waivers for certain mutual fund share classes.
AXA Fined for Misrepresentations About Bond Funds
FINRA claims AXA Advisors sent disclosures to 401(k) plan sponsors and participants that misrepresented the credit quality of bond funds with group annuity accounts.