Top 10 SEC & FINRA 2017 Examination Priorities

Within the last 2 weeks, the SEC and FINRA published their 2017 examination priorities letters. You can read our individual summaries of each here, SEC, FINRA. Here we summarize the 2 exam priorities letters into a top 10 must know.

10 Most Significant 2017 Examination Priorities 

1. Suitability:  The SEC expressed significant concern about mutual fund share classes and wrap programs.  FINRA will look at rep training as well as over-concentration of high-risk products.
2. Cybersecurity: Each of the SEC and FINRA specifically highlighted cybersecurity.  They will review information security, data storage formats, password controls, physical security, and service provider oversight.
3. Bad Brokers: Both the SEC and FINRA will target firms that retain and/or hire recidivist brokers.  The regulators will review supervision as well as hiring and training practices.
4. Senior Investors: Both regulators will focus on sales practices to, and products for, senior investors.   The regulators are concerned with suitability especially related to high-yield products, target-date funds, and variable insurance products.
5. Public Plans: The OCIE staff will scrutinize how advisers to public pension plans fulfill their fiduciary duties.  The staff also plans to examine pay-to-play practices.
6. Branch Offices: Both regulators will examine how firms supervise branch locations.  These exams will include reviews of marketing, client communications, and outside business activities.
7. Anti-Money Laundering:  Both the SEC and FINRA expressed continued concern about AML compliance.  They will test suspicious activity reporting, independent testing, automated trading, money movement, and foreign currency transactions.
8. Robos: The SEC will focus on compliance programs, suitability, data protection, and algorithm oversight.
9. ETFs: The SEC wants to ensure compliance with exemptive relief conditions.  The staff also promised reviews of the creation/redemption processes and sales practices.
10. Private Funds: The SEC staff expressed concern about the private fund industry including conflicts of interest, disclosure and fees.

Author of post: Todd Cipperman, Cipperman Compliance Services LLC