In Regulatory Notice 12-46, FINRA has announced the start of the 2013 Renewal Program for investment advisers, broker-dealers, their agents and investment adviser representatives.  On November 12, 2012, FINRA will make the online Preliminary Renewal Statements available to all firms on Web CRD/IARD. The following dates are key in the renewal process: November 1, 2012 … Read more →

The Board of Directors of Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, Inc. (CFP Board)  has announced, effective August 27, 2012,  the adoption and  implementation of  new Sanction Guidelines. Typically, the CFP Board’s enforcement process involves them investigating incidents of alleged unethical behavior using  procedures established by the CFP Board’s Disciplinary Rules and Procedures. When violations are found, the CFP Board can … Read more →

Does the CFP Board’s recent creation of the position and appointment of a new director of investigations create yet another level of securities enforcement scrutiny for financial planners?  On the surface, it sure looks like it. A recent Advisor One article entitled ”CFP Board’s Keller Says New ‘Top Cop” Will Beef Up Investigations” quotes CFP Board CEO Kevin Keller stating that the reason … Read more →