Industry

While previous exams looked at 'good faith' efforts by firms to comply, next year the commission will focus on specific rule requirements that 'go beyond suitability standards.'

Flaharty Asset Management has merged with AWA Investment Advisors on its way to becoming a $1 billion firm.

The agency said the firm had failed to properly oversee registered representatives' recommendations on variable annuities, mutual funds and 529 plans, affecting about 2,400 customers in total.

No one could have predicted what 2020 had in store for us, yet, many advisors had the best years of their careers. How is that possible?

The regulatory agency said three Cetera broker/dealers had previously been told by the SEC of the failures to properly supervise certain transactions of dually registered representatives, but they failed to set up systems for properly doing so.

Following last week's deal to acquire NWPS, Raymond James said it's purchasing Financo, a boutique investment bank specializing in consumer and retail sectors.

The new firm Homestead Wealth Management will be based out of Glendale, Ariz. The two advisors have about $150 million in advisory and brokerage assets under management.

The SEC alleges CapWealth failed to disclose lower-cost share class options to its clients. But the RIA's founder calls the complaint "a shameful exercise and an abuse of power.”

What have you learned and what will you take forward with you into 2021?