News & Events –

FinCEN issued a NPRM on Tuesday requiring SEC-registered IAs and ERAs to apply AML/CFT requirements pursuant to the Bank Secrecy Act, including implementing risk-based AML/CFT programs, SARs reporting, and recordkeeping requirements.

Meet Bates Compliance Director Matt Summers at the NMLS 2024 Annual Conference & Training, February 13, 2024 – February 16, 2024 in San Antonio, TX. This virtual and in-person event will address the latest in NMLS user and regulatory compliance issues.

This week is Identity Theft Awareness week, sponsored by the FTC. An increasingly harmful form of ID Theft is Account Takeover, which institutions can help prevent by requiring additional authentication elements to access accounts.

The Securities and Exchange Commission’s Division of Examinations publishes its examination priorities report annually to provide insights into its risk-based approach, including the areas it believes present potential risks to investors and the integrity of the U.S. capital markets. Reviewing their roadmap offers vital insights for firms. See our annual chart tracking the Division's changing priorities.

Bates Compliance Managing Director Brandi Reynolds offers her insights into the State of Financial Crimes 2024 report published by ComplyAdvantage. Specifically, the survey findings pertaining to Artificial Intelligence-based compliance solutions and the risks these tools can pose for the financial industry professionals who use them.

FINRA has published its 2024 FINRA Annual Regulatory Oversight Report, formerly known as the Report on FINRA’s Examination and Risk Monitoring Program. Stay tuned for our annual chart and commentary on the reformatted 2024 Report and how its findings may impact your legal, regulatory and compliance matters.

NASAA has published a Comment Letter to the DOL Regarding Retirement Security Rule: Definition of an Investment Advice Fiduciary.

Bates Compliance Managing Director Rhonda Davis will be peaking on this insightful webinar on December 12, 2023. Sponsored by InvestorCOM

Bates Expert Rob Ayers will be speaking at the Decmber 6, 2024 CrossTech Virtual Roundtable (VRT) titled "FedNow's Instant Effect: Cross-Border Payment Dynamics."

The CFPB has recently proposed a new rule to define the market for general-use digital consumer payment applications. The proposed market would cover providers of funds transfer and wallet functionalities through digital applications for consumers’ general use in making person-to-person payments for personal, family, or household purposes. Larger participants of this market would be subject to the CFPB’s supervisory authority under the Consumer Financial Protection Act (CFPA).

Join us for the Annual Greensfelder Securities Symposium November 15th. Bates Cybersecurity expert Patrick Cox will be speaking on the AI panel.

Join Bates at CrossTech World 2023, November 14-16, 2023 in Hollywood, Florida

With 2023 wrapping up soon, Bates takes a look at what is and is not trending in matters resolved through FINRA arbitration through the first nine months of 2023.

Bates Expert Patrick Cox will be speaking on IBDC's upcoming Cybersecurity Webinar November 8th, 2023.

FINRA is continuing its focus on eligible customers receiving Rights of Reinstatement (“ROR”) benefits where appropriate. Read our full alert for a look at FINRA's scrutiny into ROR and how our team’s deep experience in this area can help your firm.

Join Bates leaders Jennifer Stout and Hank Sanchez at the SIFMA C&L Forum, Friday, November 3rd in St. Petersburg, FL. Co-hosted by the FSDA.