Transitioning your platform can be a vital component of making sure your firm is successful for many years to come. Managing your firm’s platform transition is a significant undertaking that will impact most areas of your business. Consistency of communication with your leadership, employees and vendors is just one part of a very complex process…. READ MORE
Once you’ve completed your analysis and selected a clearing provider, it’s time to implement the broad communication component of your change management strategy to define how the decision will be delivered and received by your various teams. Your communication plan should consider all audiences (clients, vendors, sales force, home office, regulators). There are many appropriate… READ MORE
On March 19, 2019 the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) issued Regulatory Notice 19-08, providing guidance on reporting operating lease assets and liabilities on their Focus reports. Background On October 23, 2018, the SEC issued a no action relief letter (the Letter) stating that, absent relief, the right-to-use asset would be a non-allowable asset in… READ MORE
Oyster Consulting Senior Consultant Bob Tuch recently contributed his article, “Conducting Effective Meetings with Investment Advisory Clients” to Practical Compliance & Risk Management for the Securities Industry, a Wolters Kluwer publication. Client meetings play an important role for financial services firms that provide investment advisory services to their clients. The initial meeting is extremely important for investment advisers because… READ MORE
Constantly changing market factors, evolving regulations, and advancements in technology have resulted in competitive challenges that are causing forward-thinking firms to determine the appropriate process, technology, financial and strategic investments to stay ahead or even just keep up. In a rapidly changing environment, the analysis to decide if it’s best to invest in your current platform or consider a different path should not be ignored or pushed too far into the future. One of… READ MORE
The complexity and global popularity of cryptocurrencies, or digital assets, has initiated cooperative efforts between the SEC and CFTC to understand and regulate these products. The agencies have jointly testified before Congress and displayed interest in developing meaningful regulations; both agencies have promised additional working groups to pursue joint regulations. On January 24, 2018, the… READ MORE
The U.S. population is aging – in January 2011, thousands of Baby Boomers began turning 65 every day. FINRA’s new rules to increase protections for vulnerable investors and to provide firms with guidelines to ensure these protections take effect February 5, 2018. Is your firm ready to handle the issues that come with… READ MORE
