Insights
SEC Division of Enforcement Publishes 2019 Annual Report
Read our summary of notable findings from the SEC Enforcement Division's Annual Report covering FY 2019.
- Compliance
The 2020 U.S. Election is Here: How is Your Firm Monitoring Political Contributions and Government Relationships?
A heightened political climate increases political contributions and political activities that can violate pay-to-play rules and generate fines or even prohibit future business. Now is the time to review your firm's policies and procedures for monitoring employees' political contributions and government relationships.
- Compliance
FINRA Publishes 2019 Examination Findings Report
On October 16, 2019, FINRA published its 2019 Report on Examination Findings and Observations. The Report lists FINRA’s examination findings and observations for the current year.
- Compliance
FINRA to Review Members for Regulation Best Interest Preparedness
Last week, William St. Louis, FINRA Senior Vice President and Regional Director, stated at the SIFMA C&L New York Regional Seminar that the regulator would begin reviewing firms in November to assess their Regulation Best Interest compliance readiness. Reg BI becomes effective on June 30, 2020.
- Compliance
Relationship of Trust: The Audit Committee and Internal Audit
The Institute of Internal Auditors (IIA) published a position paper on September 19, 2019 about the importance of Relationships of Trust - Building Better Connections Between the Audit Committee and Internal Audit. The position paper highlights the critical relationship between internal audit and the audit committee.
- AML and Financial Crime
FCA has concerns about investment firms’ personal account dealing controls
The FCA has published Market Watch 62, in which it expresses significant concerns about authorised firms’ systems and controls when it comes to Personal Account Dealing (“PAD”).
- Compliance
ACA Compliance Group Enhances Compliance Team with New Hires: Former CCOs, Attorneys, and Regulators
ACA has added several notable additions to the team to help us to continue to operate at the forefront of the compliance industry.
- Compliance
Are You Ready for 2020? Peer Benchmarking Your Firm's RegTech Program
As you prepare to close 2019 strong and get ready for 2020, budgeting for RegTech as an efficient and cost-effective way to drive efficiencies and build a strong compliance program should be top of mind. Download our infographic to see how your peers are implementing - and budgeting for - RegTech.
- RegTech
Consultant's Corner Q&A: Preparing and Prioritizing for 2020
With less than three months of the year remaining, compliance professionals are feeling the pressure to cross off those final to-do’s for 2019 and build a strong foundation for 2020. To get firsthand insight on the challenges CCOs face, we sat down with one of ACA’s newest senior principal consultants and former CCO, Leigh Emery, to chat about the year-end obstacles, how to overcome them, and what trends to prepare for in 2020.
- Compliance
Transaction Reporting: Seven More to Study
Following on from Market Watch 59, the FCA has just published Market Watch 62 where yet again it is taking aim at the numerous data quality issues seen in MiFIR transaction reports. The FCA’s persistent focus on the topic and the fact that many firms do not appear to be taking on board their observations make it increasingly likely that the FCA’s patience might be wearing thin.
- Trade & Transaction