Does Client Communication Make You Feel Like a Moving Target?
Off-channel client communication has evolved faster than the systems designed to govern it. This shift did not happen overnight. It unfolded gradually as new tools became part of everyday work. Text messages replaced phone calls. Direct messages replaced emails. Comments and replies became part of routine interaction. This change was not intentional. It was shaped […]
Watch Your Step — Some Off-Channel Risk Is Easy to Miss
Off-channel communications continue to receive intensive scrutiny during regulatory audits, and firms are feeling the impact. When violations occur, the consequences reach far beyond fines and create real reputational and operational risk. The challenge is keeping pace with how people communicate while maintaining consistent oversight and reducing the strain on compliance and supervision teams. Texting […]
13 Questions Every CCO Should Ask Before Selecting a Compliance Technology Partner
Choosing the right compliance partner isn’t just about features. It’s about protecting your firm’s reputation, reducing operational risk, and ensuring exam readiness without disrupting how your advisors work. Before committing to a vendor, ask these 13 questions to assess whether their platform truly aligns with your regulatory and operational needs: Archiving Capabilities Across Channels Do […]
Modernizing Communications Archiving: What the SIFMA-SEC Dialogue Means for Your Firm
In October 2025, the Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association (SIFMA) formally petitioned the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to revise current communications retention rules that govern broker-dealers and investment advisers. Specifically, SIFMA’s proposal calls for updates to Exchange Act Rule 17a-4 and Advisers Act Rule 204-2(a)(7), aiming to align compliance obligations with the […]
FINRA Rules 2210 and 4511 Explained: Recordkeeping and Communications Compliance Guide
For broker-dealers and dually-registered firms, staying ahead of regulatory expectations isn’t just a best practice – it’s a business imperative. Among the most critical FINRA rules governing communications and recordkeeping are Rules 2210 and 4511. These rules shape how firms engage with the public and how those engagements must be documented. But while their intent […]
SEC Rules 17a-4 and 17a-3 Explained: A Compliance Guide for Financial Firms
Maintaining compliant recordkeeping practices is a non-negotiable aspect of doing business in the finance industry. Among the most critical regulations enforced by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) are SEC Rule 17a-4 and SEC Rule 17a-3. These rules lay the groundwork for recordkeeping and communication retention that all broker-dealers, financial advisors, and related firms […]
After the $63M Wave: Why Compliance Can’t Afford the “Quiet” of SEC Recordkeeping Enforcement in 2025
It’s tempting to see 2025 as a quiet year for SEC recordkeeping enforcement. After all, there’s been no drumbeat of new SEC recordkeeping fines since January. But the truth is more complex — and more urgent. The year began with a decisive move: 12 firms — including Blackstone, KKR, Schwab, Apollo, Carlyle, TPG, Santander, and […]
SEC Marketing Rule 206(4)-1: What It Is and Why It Matters
The SEC’s Marketing Rule, formally known as Rule 206(4)-1 under the Advisers Act, sets the standards for how investment advisers may advertise their services. The rule aims to protect investors from misleading marketing practices while giving firms a clear framework for promoting their expertise and results. Why Firms Need to Comply Non-compliance with the Marketing […]
Off-Channel Communication Violations: A Wake-Up Call for Compliance
Over the past three years, the SEC has issued nearly $4 billion in fines for off-channel communication violations. The latest penalties—including $63 million against firms like Charles Schwab and Blackstone—are a reminder that keeping track of client communications isn’t just important, it’s required. From text messages and chat apps to social media and video meeting transcriptions, your firm needs to ensure its off-channel conversations are properly archived to stay compliant.