Regulators’ hot-button issues in 2018

Q: What will regulators focus on next year?

A: While it’s always a dicey proposition to try and play fortune teller, the good news is that I don’t have to: Each January, the SEC and FINRA issue exam priorities letters which tell you exactly what issues are of concern to the regulators in the year ahead.

Looking back on 2017, we see that some of the same priorities rolled over from 2016. I would anticipate many of the same items will appear on 2018’s exam priorities letters. FINRA, in particular, was focused on recidivist brokers, sales practice abuses (particularly with seniors), social media, cybersecurity and best execution to name just a few.

Compliance trends 2018

Advisors should expect more regulatory requirements, enforcement actions and uncertainty in 2018, experts say.

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With that said, if I look into my crystal ball, I would expect that, in light of this past year’s disastrous hurricanes and wildfires, disaster recovery and business continuity may be hot topics.

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FILE: The embossed word 'Bitcoin' sits on the edge of Bitcoins stacked in this arranged photograph in Danbury, U.K., on Thursday, Dec. 10, 2015. Bitcoin is showing no signs of slowing down, the price of the largest cryptocurrency by market value is soaring as it gains greater mainstream attention despite warnings of a bubble in what not everyone agrees is an asset. Our editors select the best archive images on Bitcoin. Photographer: Chris Ratcliffe/Bloomberg
Chris Ratcliffe/Bloomberg News

I would also anticipate that the regulatory authorities will continue their information-gathering efforts regarding cryptocurrencies, blockchain and initial coin offerings as I think there are significant challenges ahead in connection to that market. You might find the SEC doing sweep exams to gather more information like they’ve been doing in connection with cybersecurity.

Finally, with big names such as Paul Manafort being in the spotlight for money-laundering charges, I can see anti-money laundering rules taking a more prominent role next year.

Advisors can’t assume that exam priorities letters don’t affect them. While many issues that arise in the exam priorities letters are firm-level requirements, certain issues like AML can have implications for individual reps when they pertain to things like the “know your customer” requirements.

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Compliance Compliance reviews Blockchain Bitcoin Disaster recovery Crisis Management Money laundering RIAs FINRA SEC
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