News & Events –

The SEC has announced its adoption of amendments to the internet adviser exemption governing SEC registration eligibility for certain internet investment advisers. Any adviser no longer eligible under the exemption must withdraw its SEC registration and register in one or more states by filing a Form ADV-W by June 29, 2025.

The SEC has issued a press release announcing settled charges against two investment advisers for making false and misleading statements about their purported use of artificial intelligence (AI). The firms agreed to settle the SEC’s charges and pay $400,000 in total civil penalties.

Bates is a proud sponsor of the 2024 SIFMA C&L Annual Seminar, March 17-20, 2024 in Orlando, Florida.

For managers at financial institutions to understand AI risk, they first need to conduct a thorough inventory of what AI is being used, by whom, and for what purpose inside their firm. Regardless of where an institution is in its AI journey, it’s best to take the time to conduct an AI inventory and risk assessment to identify and remediate risks in order to stay safe and sound.

Bates Group, a leading provider of custom compliance support and services for RIAs, has completed the acquisition of select client engagements from D Nauss and Associates LLC, founded by industry veteran Donna Nauss in 2009. This strategic acquisition underscores Bates Group’s dedication to growth and continued commitment to the RIA compliance marketplace.

Meet Bates Compliance leaders at the 2024 IAA Investment Advisor Compliance Conference, March 6-8, 2024 in Washington, D.C. Managing Direcctor Kurt Wachholz is a featured speaker.

2023 was an interesting year in FINRA dispute resolution. While customer filings dipped to a near-decade low, intra-industry cases grew 50% year-over-year. Despite the shift, core dispute themes remained stable, with top customer-member controversies and security types holding steady. We take a look at the entire year's statistics and trends in this new report.

Bates is a proud sponsor of the 2024 IBDC/RIAC Annual Risk Management Conference, March 4-6, 2024 in San Diego, California. Bates cybersecurity expert Patrick Cox will be speaking.

As a leading provider of financial consulting services, Bates Group has extensive experience defending allegations of transaction fraud on brokerage or bank accounts through expert analysis and testimony, as well as assisting financial institutions in preventing and deterring transaction fraud. 

Attending ETH in Denver? Bates Managing Consultant John Ashley is available meet with you to discuss the top issues and concerns for the blockchain community.

FinCEN issued a NPRM on Tuesday requiring SEC-registered IAs and ERAs to apply AML/CFT requirements pursuant to the Bank Secrecy Act, including implementing risk-based AML/CFT programs, SARs reporting, and recordkeeping requirements.

Meet Bates Compliance Director Matt Summers at the NMLS 2024 Annual Conference & Training, February 13, 2024 – February 16, 2024 in San Antonio, TX. This virtual and in-person event will address the latest in NMLS user and regulatory compliance issues.

This week is Identity Theft Awareness week, sponsored by the FTC. An increasingly harmful form of ID Theft is Account Takeover, which institutions can help prevent by requiring additional authentication elements to access accounts.

The Securities and Exchange Commission’s Division of Examinations publishes its examination priorities report annually to provide insights into its risk-based approach, including the areas it believes present potential risks to investors and the integrity of the U.S. capital markets. Reviewing their roadmap offers vital insights for firms. See our annual chart tracking the Division's changing priorities.

Bates Compliance Managing Director Brandi Reynolds offers her insights into the State of Financial Crimes 2024 report published by ComplyAdvantage. Specifically, the survey findings pertaining to Artificial Intelligence-based compliance solutions and the risks these tools can pose for the financial industry professionals who use them.