Tag Archives: 404c compliance

“The 401(k)/403(b) Investment Manual”

My new book, “The 410(k)/403(b) Investment Manual” is now available from both Amazon and CreatSpace. The manual is intended to provide both plan participants and plan sponsors with valuable information to allow them to properly evaluate the investment options within … Continue reading

Posted in 401k, 401k compliance, 401k investments, 404c, 404c compliance, compliance, fiduciary compliance, fiduciary law, investments, retirement plans, RIA | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Secrets to a Successful 401(k) Plan

Over the holidays I was catching-up on my reading. One of the articles I came across involved a debate over which metric was more effective in assessing the success of a defined contribution plan, a plan’s rate of participation or … Continue reading

Posted in 401k, 401k compliance, 401k investments, 404c, 404c compliance, compliance, fiduciary compliance, fiduciary law, retirement plans | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Seeing Is Believing: Marketing to Plan Sponsors

One of the most common questions I get is from advisor is how to convince plan sponsors that they need to review their plan for potential compliance issues.  When I ask plan sponsors what it takes to get their attention, … Continue reading

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The Active Management Value Ratio™- Revealing the Undisclosed Cost of Actively Managed Mutual Funds

Despite overwhelming evidence that actively managed mutual funds generally under-perform passively managed index funds, the evidence indicates that most investors continue to purchase and hold actively managed funds.  Even when an actively managed fund does outperform its relevant index, the … Continue reading

Posted in 401k, 401k compliance, 401k investments, 404c, 404c compliance, compliance, fiduciary compliance, fiduciary law, investments, retirement plans, RIA Compliance, securities, securities compliance | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Running the Investment Compliance “Gauntlet”

As most people know, I focus on helping RIA professionals with both compliance and risk management issues.  Far too many times I have performed compliance audits where the RIA has all of the required files and manuals, but a poor … Continue reading

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New Compliance and Liability White Paper

With the new year comes the renewal of the debate over one universal fiduciary standard for those providing investment advice to the public.  What many compliance professionals do not realize is that many jurisdictions already impose a fiduciary standard on … Continue reading

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That Dog Won’t Hunt

First, my apologies for the delay between posts.  It has been incredibly busy between helping advisers prepare for the conversion to state supervision, helping new RIAs set-up their practices and performing fiduciary audits.  I think RIA firms are finally getting … Continue reading

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Don’t Go There!

My clients are familiar with several pet phrases that I use to state my opinion in a short, yet definitive manner.  One of those phrases that I find myself using a lot is “don’t go there.”  As a compliance consultant … Continue reading

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The RIA’s Achilles’ Heel

As an attorney and a compliance consultant, I realize the difference between RIA compliance and RIA risk management.  I also realize the importance of both.  Unfortunately, I see far too many cases where RIA firms have unnecessary liability risk exposure … Continue reading

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Due Diligence Doldrums

Whether you are a registered representative, an investment advisory representative, or both, you have a legal obligation to do your due diligence regarding the suitability of any investments you intend to recommend to your clients.  What many brokers and advisory … Continue reading

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