Those famous words of the immortal Yogi Berra hold true when it comes to the SEC exam priorities for 2016. Among those at the top of the list are two familiar friends; protecting retail investors and investors saving for retirement.
It is clear that the SEC is looking in particular toward how retail firms are dealing with their older clientele since it is fair to assume that older client are those most likely preparing for retirement. So what does the SEC want to know?
The SEC is looking at retirement services being offered, focusing on whether there is a reasonable basis for recommendations, conflicts of interest, supervision and compliance controls, as well as marketing and disclosure practices. If you compare these priorities to FINRA’s exam priorities, you will see the overlap.
The overlap of these priorities should sound alarms bells off in your head. The SEC and FINRA have told you twice what your regulators will analyze during your next exam. You have a choice.
You can ignore these areas and not take prophylactic measures to make sure that your policies and procedures in these are consistent with current industry standards, or you can take a serious look at what your firm is doing for your clients who are focused on retirement investing. Something tells me that taking the path of least resistance will not win you any awards with your regulators.
So take affirmative steps and give your policies and procedures in these areas will deep thought. Do you have any policies and procedures in place? If so, do they go far enough and are they consistent with current industry trends and practices? FINRA and the SEC are doing some of your work for you, don’t miss out on the free advice they are giving you.