Off-Channel Comms

Is FINRA focusing on fairness by reducing HSP compliance burdens?

The SEC's January 2025 settlements for off-channel comms violations introduced lighter compliance terms, creating a divergence between earlier enforcement actions that imposed stricter membership oversight requirements on FINRA firms. After the SEC's rejection of a petition to review the pre-2025 settlements, FINRA is now looking to level the field by easing collateral consequences.

Regulatory Wrap Episode 59: SEC cracks down on settlor’s remorse

In Regulatory Wrap for the week to April 18, Kathryn Fallah unpacks what the SEC deems a case of “settlor’s remorse” following a request by 16 firms to amend off-channel communications settlements.

FCA bans Crispin Odey as non-financial misconduct focus grows

With the FCA taking action against Crispin Odey, a controversial hedge fund manager who has been the subject of serious misconduct allegations, it seems the regulator is keeping its word on prioritizing non-financial misconduct.

Regulatory wrap episode 51: FINRA’s 2025 regulatory report: what firms need to know

In Regulatory Wrap for the week to January 31, we extract the need-to-know details from FINRA’s Annual Regulatory Oversight Report for 2025.

IM impact: Are you accounting for emerging instant messaging channels?

Communications compliance persists as a regulatory focus area - but, amid a landscape of fast-emerging instant messaging applications, are firms treating IM platforms as a compliance priority?

Hands off – FCA confirms it won’t issue WhatsApp rules for banks

The Financial Conduct Authority has ended years of industry speculation around a potential UK-based compliant communications crackdown by confirming it is “not planning any wholesale rules” around WhatsApp use by firms.

Firms call for return to office: How can compliance tools support hybrid work?

As businesses return to work for 2025, financial services firms have made headlines with new, more stringent ‘return to office’ (RTO) policies. Does RTO mark the end of a ‘working from home’ (WFH) model for financial services, or can compliance technology mitigate the risks of hybrid work?

New year, same SEC as 12 firms hit with $63 million in off-channel communications fines

The SEC has fined 12 firms a combined $63 million for recordkeeping failures relating to off-channel communications – but does this set the regulatory tone for the year to come?

Regulatory Wrap Episode 50: 2024 Wrapped – the Top Compliance Stories

In Regulatory Wrap for the week to December 13, Jennie Clarke and Rob Mason recount the most notable developments over the course of 2024.

Regulatory Wrap Episode #49: Global Relay’s 2024 Data Insights Report

In Regulatory Wrap for the week to December 6, Jennie Clarke examines the findings of Global Relay’s newly published 2024 Data Insights report.

Regulatory Wrap Episode #48: SEC’s record fines & FCA’s AI insights

In Regulatory Wrap for the week to November 29, Rob Mason recounts attention-grabbing figures highlighted in recent regulatory releases from the SEC and FCA.

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