NRS Insights Blog

October 4 2017 - NRS Insights
Compliance Alert: FinCEN’s Venezuela Advisory and FATF’s Updated Jurisdiction Documents
On September 20, 2017, FinCEN published Advisory FIN-2017-A006 to financial institutions about potential abuse of the U.S. financial systems by all Venezuelan government agencies and bodies, including state-owned enterprises (SOEs). The Venezuelan government uses its control over large parts of its socialist economy to generate considerable wealth for government officials and SOE executives, their families, and associates.
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October 3 2017 - NRS Insights
SEC Issues Risk Alert on Advertising Rule Compliance
The SEC’s Office of Compliance Inspections and Examinations (OCIE) has issued a Risk Alert, based on deficiencies found by the OCIE’s examinations of investment advisers, that cites a number of advertising compliance issues relating to Rule 206(4)-1 of the Advisers Act of 1940.
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September 13 2017 - NRS Insights
Compliance Alert: FinCEN Advisory to Financial Institutions on Political Corruption Risks from South Sudan
FinCEN has publish an advisory to alert financial institutions about the potential abuse of the U.S. financial systems by senior political figures from South Sudan. The U.S. Department of State has been documenting the civil unrest with the warring parties who have failed to adhere to an agreed ceasefire, leaving the civilian population to suffer through widespread violence and atrocities, human rights abuses, recruitment and use of child soldiers, attacks on peacekeepers, and obstruction of humanitarian operations, as well as widespread food insecurity.
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September 11 2017 - NRS Insights
SEC Issues More Guidance on Certain Form ADV Amendments
In August 2017, The SEC’s Division of Investment Management issued an information update, for Advisers Filing Certain Form ADV Amendments. Specifically, the update provides guidance on certain aspects of compliance with the rulemaking Form ADV and Investment Advisers Act Rules (Advisers Act Release No. 4509), previously adopted on August 25, 2016, with a compliance date of October 1, 2017.
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September 5 2017 - NRS Insights
Compliance Alert: Changes to MSRB Customer Complaint Rules Now in Effect
As of September 1, amendments to MSRB Rules G-8, G-9, and G-10 addressing firms’ responsibility regarding written customer complaints, are in effect. The amendments:
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September 4 2017 - NRS Insights
The Complete Guide to Passing Your Series 7 Exam
Thinking of starting a career in financial planning? The Series 7 exam is the first step to your career success, whether you’re fresh out of college or making a change.
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August 25 2017 - NRS Insights
The Bank Secrecy Act, Anti-Money Laundering and your FINRA Exam
Today’s geopolitical climate has caused more focus on money laundering activity related to illegal drug trafficking and terrorist financing. Consequently, regulators place higher priority on enforcing the Bank Secrecy Act (BSA), which mandates financial industry standards to detect and prevent money laundering.
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August 18 2017 - NRS Insights
OCIE Releases Risk Alert for Cybersecurity 2 Initiative
On August 7, 2017, the SEC’s Office of Compliance Inspections and Examinations (“OCIE”) released a Risk Alert, based on OCIE’s findings stemming from its Cybersecurity 2 Initiative.
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August 10 2017 - NRS Insights
DOL Proposes to Extend Applicability Date of the Fiduciary Rule
On Wednesday, August 9 the DOL submitted proposed amendments to the Office of Management and Budget that would extend the transition period for the Fiduciary Rule from January 1, 2018 to July 1, 2019.
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August 10 2017 - NRS Insights
Regulatory Reminder: Effective September 5, the Settlement Cycle Changes from T+3 to T+2
Last March, the SEC amended Rule 15c6-1(a) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 to shorten the standard securities transaction cycle for most securities transactions from T+3 to T+2. Under the amendment, “T” refers to the day of the transaction and the parties have two days thereafter to complete the transaction by delivery of the security and for payment. The amendment, effective September 5, 2017, replaces the prior T+3 rule.
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