January 23, 2026

SEC Proposes Updates to “Small Entity” Definitions: Why It Matters for RIAs and Future Rulemaking

On January 7, 2026, the Securities and Exchange Commission proposed amendments to how “small entities” are defined for investment advisers and investment companies under the Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA). At first glance, […]
January 21, 2026

SEC Enforcement Trends 2025: 5 Lessons for RIAs to Thrive Under the Atkins Era

SEC enforcement activity fell to decade lows in fiscal year 2025. The Commission brought 313 enforcement actions, and total monetary settlements declined by approximately 45%, marking a clear departure from the prior […]
December 23, 2025

Delaware DOJ’s $1M Penalty on Kovack Advisors: 5 Critical Lessons for RIA Recordkeeping and Supervision

On November 21, 2025, Delaware’s Investor Protection Unit imposed a $995,180 penalty on Kovack Advisors for violations of the Delaware Securities Act. The enforcement action cited inaccurate Form U4 registrations, supervisory failures, […]
December 16, 2025

NASAA Warns: “Tricks Not Treats” – How RIAs Can Protect Clients and Stay Compliant

In a recent investor alert, NASAA warned that scammers are increasingly disguising fraud as “seasonal opportunities,” using themes like Halloween promotions, limited-time offers, and urgent “treats” to manipulate investors. These are not […]
December 10, 2025

NASAA Fights a Federal AI Ban: Why State Regulators Will Shape RIA Compliance in 2026

On December 5, 2025, the North American Securities Administrators Association (NASAA) sent a clear message to Congress: do not strip states of their authority to regulate artificial intelligence. The letter opposed proposals […]
December 1, 2025

The 2026 SEC Exam Priorities: A Compliance Wake-Up Call

A Shift Toward Operational Scrutiny The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has released its 2026 examination priorities. While core topics like fiduciary duty and data privacy remain, the message this year […]
November 14, 2025

Vendor Oversight and Reg S-P: What the New Rule Means and What Firms Must Do Now

Featuring insights from Smartria CEO Patrick Hunt The SEC’s amended Regulation S-P, effective December 3, 2025 for large firms, is more than a compliance update; it’s a structural directive. The rule demands […]
November 5, 2025

Reg S-P Compliance Alert: The December 2025 Deadline for Large Advisers

Why December 2025 Can’t Wait for Reg S-P Compliance Large advisers have until December 3, 2025, to implement comprehensive changes under the amended Regulation S-P, but treating this as a distant deadline […]
October 23, 2025

Audit-Ready Vendor Oversight: The Templates That Make RIAs Exam-Proof

Why Vendor Oversight Is No Longer Optional Five years ago, “vendor due diligence” meant checking a few boxes once a year. In 2025, it’s one of the top five exam priorities across […]
Audit-Ready Vendor Oversight: The Templates That Make RIAs Exam-Proof
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