Purpose To analyze how the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has sanctioned broker-dealers (BDs) and registered investment advisers (RIAs) when cybersecurity breaches have occurred and to discuss whether the SEC is imposing a strict liability approach. Design/methodology/approach...

Purpose To address practical issues broker-dealers may face in reviewing and revising their policies and procedures in response to FINRA’s new fixed-income research rule, modifications to its equity research rule, and its FAQs regarding conflicts of interest in the offering process....

Purpose To analyze FINRA’s focus on broker-dealer culture in its 2016 annual priorities letter and the application of the concept in FINRA disciplinary proceedings, to explain how that focus will affect FINRA’s examinations of firms, and to provide recommendations as to how a firm can...