News & Events

Timed to coincide with World Elder Abuse Awareness Day on June 15, 2022, federal and state government officials issued proclamations, advisories, and new resources to help in the fight against senior financial abuse. Despite many government initiatives now in place to go after the perpetrators of elder financial abuse, the problem continues to grow. Taken together, these latest government alerts offer a snapshot of where things stand. In this article, we take a look at the most significant developments.

Bates Group is proud to sponsor the upcoming June SIFMA C&L luncheon program featuring Raymond “Ray” Dorado, Senior Deputy Superintendent - Banking Division, New York State Department of Financial Services. June 15, 2022, at the Harvard Club in New York City.

It has been clear for some time that regulators are targeting special purpose acquisition companies (“SPACs”) for increased scrutiny, tighter rules, and aggressive enforcement. Both the SEC and Senate legislators are proposing new rules and laws governing SPACs. This regulatory and legislative activity comes amid poor overall SPAC performance and volatility. In this post, we review the proposed SEC regulation, Senator Elizabeth Warren’s SPAC report, the anticipated legislation, and current conditions.

Meet Bates Director Joe Thomas and Experts Clay Grumke and Jeff Jamieson (pictured, from L) in St. Louis at the SIFMA C&L Regional Seminar, June 8, 2022, at the Edward Jones Conference Center. Bates cybersecurity expert Paul Horn (pictured, R) will appear on the afternoon panel “Managing Cybersecurity and Data Risk in Today’s Technological Environment” at 1:30 p.m. CT.

Bates Group welcomes our newest consulting and testifying experts (pictured, L-R):

Joan Marie Asher, CIFD, IACCP - Hedge Funds, Private Equity, Alternative Investments

Jeffrey L. Baliban, MA Econ, CPA/ABV/CFF, CDBV - Business and Economic Damages, Business Valuation, Accounting

Jeff Jamieson - Litigation, Regulatory, Internal Investigations

What is a Non-Fungible Token (NFT)? We've all heard of NFTs by now, and when this term comes up in the news or a talk with friends, there is no shortage of opinions. In this article, we examine what NFTs are, how they work, and some of their potential risks and benefits. 

The SEC last week issued a proposal to require “registered investment advisers, certain advisers exempt from registration, registered investment companies, and business development companies” to disclose information on environmental, social and governance (“ESG”) investment practices and strategies in fund registration statements, prospectuses, annual reports, and adviser brochures. The 362-page proposal contains new disclosure requirements and would amend numerous Forms for funds and advisers.

In a conversation with FINRA President Robert Cook at FINRA’s annual conference last week, SEC Chair Gary Gensler discussed his agency’s rulemaking agenda by explaining that the market is in the midst of a transformation that requires adjustments, modernizations and updates to existing regulations. The next day, Chair Gensler addressed an audience of State securities regulators on the implication of digital engagement practices on broker-dealer and adviser obligations. Here are some of the highlights from both events.

Brandi Reynolds, Manging Director of Bates Group's MSB, FinTech and Cryptocurrency practice, is quoted in the recent "Guide to Anti-Money Laundering for Crypto Firms" from ComplyAdvantage.

Bates Group is a proud sponsor of SIFMA’s Anti-Money Laundering & Financial Crimes Conference, May 25-26, 2022 in New York City. Visit Bates at booth #14 and speak with our representatives about your AML, Compliance, BSA, Crypto and Digital Currency AML needs.

Bates Compliance is proud to return as a sponsor of the 2022 FINRA Annual Conference, May 16th-18th, 2022, in Washington, D.C. Join us in person at booth #8 or virtually to discuss the issues that matter most for the financial services industry.

Meet Bates Compliance Managing Director Hank Sanchez at the SIFMA 2022 Operations Conference & Exhibition, May 16-19, 2022 at the JW Marriott Desert Ridge, Phoenix. The SIFMA OPS conference gathers operations, technology and regulatory leaders from across the securities industry to discuss the most critical priorities.

Bates Group welcomes Michael Lindemann, Director and Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialist, and Edel Gonzalez, Senior Consultant and Licensing & Compliance Specialist, to our MSB, FinTech and Cryptocurrency Practice. 

On April 26, 2022, the SEC Division of Examinations urged investment advisers to revisit their compliance policies, practices, and procedures concerning the misuse of non-public information (MNPI). In the Risk Alert, the SEC (i) reviewed the applicable Investment Adviser Act rules and ethical code considerations and (ii) described compliance deficiencies observed by the Division during its recent examinations.

Bates Compliance Managing Directors Rhonda Davis and Hank Sanchez will be speaking at the Financial Market Association's 2022 Securities Compliance Virtual Seminar, May 5-6, 2022. This 2-day virtual event focuses on current compliance topics, new rules or interpretations and regulatory initiatives for financial institutions and their affiliated broker dealers.

Bates is a Proud Sponsor of the 2022 SWIFS Spring Symposium, May 3, 2022