SEC Findings: Wrap Fee Initiative

The SEC has been watching wrap fee programs for quite a while. From 2017-19, the SEC’s annual examination priorities named wrap fee programs as putting investors at risk. The SEC’s Division of Examinations (Division) released a July 21, 2021 Risk Alert with guidance from examiners during its Wrap Fee Initiative. The Risk Alert, “Observations from […]

SEC Charges 21 RIAs for Form CRS Filing and Delivery Failures

On July 26, 2021, the SEC announced that 21 Registered Investment Advisers (RIAs) settled charges alleging that they failed to file and deliver their client relationship summaries, known as Form CRS, in a timely manner. Form CRS is also frequently referred to as Form ADV Part 3. Six broker-dealers were also accused of not filing […]

SmartRIA Compliance Alert
New York Regulatory Update

The New York State Department of Law (the “Department”) recently adopted new regulations that went into effect on February 1, 2021. These new regulations govern the registration and examination requirements for investment adviser representatives domiciled in New York, or doing business with New York clients. Previously, New York did not require registration of state and […]

Awesome Compliance Software: Mission Accomplished

Since our inception in 2016, SmartRIA’s mission has been to be the best software company in the world at simplifying compliance for wealth managers. It’s a tall order, but one that we believe is incredibly important, as wealth managers have significant regulatory burdens that need to be made achievable, while also ensuring the regulations’ purpose […]

Compliance in the Age of Pandemics

The COVID-19 pandemic has been a catalyst for dynamic change for advisor businesses in all but one area – the ongoing and inexorable march of regulation and compliance. Many regulatory deadlines and expectations have not been deflected by the real-world chaos that advisory firms are dealing with. A quick breather and a situational analysis on […]

SmartRIA CEO Update on COVID-19
Coronavirus Update

Hello, friends. I hope this coronavirus update from SmartRIA finds you healthy and safe at home. I’m writing to let you know a few things about how SmartRIA is handling coronavirus, how our situation might affect our customers, and in general, to share our thoughts at this difficult moment for everyone. First: as of last […]

guide to ria compliance
The Complete Guide to RIA Compliance

As a registered investment advisor, whether new or well-established, you probably hear the word “compliance” on a daily basis. But what’s the best way to maintain compliance, why should you even bother with it (okay, yes you probably already know that one), and where did it originate? These are all great questions, and lucky for […]