Tag Archives: RIA

Four Faces of Fiduciary Prudence

In defining prudence, ERISA’s rules and regulations state that [A] fiduciary shall discharge his duties with respect to a plan solely in the interest of the participants and beneficiaries…with the care, skill, prudence, and diligence under the circumstances then prevailing … Continue reading

Posted in 401k, 401k compliance, 401k investments, 404c, 404c compliance, compliance, fiduciary compliance, fiduciary law, investments, pension plans, securities, wealth management, wealth preservation | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Quantum Meruit and “Other” Compliance Challenges

When I was a compliance director, my biggest frustration was not being able to share certain legal information with the broker-dealer’s registered representatives and those who maintained independent RIAs. I understood the BD’s position, namely that volunteering such information potentially … Continue reading

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Creative Chaos – Creating a Win-Win Situation for Investors and Investment Advisers

Having been involved in the quality of investment advice arena for twenty-five years in some capacity (e.g., securities attorney, RIA consultant, B/D compliance director), I have seen numerous changes in both the industry and the surrounding legal/regulatory environment. There is … Continue reading

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

Has Schwab Opened Pandora’s Box for RIAs? – Part Two

In a recent post, I suggested that the recent court decision upholding Schwab’s class action waiver in customer’s contracts could have potential liability implications for RIAs and other fiduciaries that recommend or use Schwab, or for that matter any other … Continue reading

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Gifts and Conflicts of Interest

I received a call yesterday from an RIA firm that had been providing magazine subscriptions and other gifts to clients that referred new clients to the firm.  The managing member of the RIA firm said that he had attended a … Continue reading

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Fiduciaries, We Ain’t No Stinkin’ Fiduciaries: Help for Fiduciaries and Unsuspecting Fiduciaries

As a securities attorney that represents investors and provides consulting and compliance services to RIA firms, I can honestly say that one of the most common problems I encounter with RIA firms is a failure to develop an effective risk … 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

3 FAQs on RIA Ks

I recently received a call from an RIA firm that had been cited during an audit for having an improper RIA client contract.  The CEO explained that they had tried to save some money by copying an advisory contract from … 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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