NRS Spring 2018 Compliance Conference

Join NRS at their Spring 2018 Conference – Compliance Agility: Risk, Resources & Technology where industry experts will address how investment adviser and broker-dealer firms can successfully navigate the disruptive currents of regulatory change and adapt agile procedures to compliance programs.

Morgan Lewis associate Brian Baltz will participate as a featured speaker on the topics of Trading Risks and Compliance Resources and Exploring the Application of FINRA’s New Rules and Examinations for 2018. Litigation associate Ariel Gursky will participate on the panel for Tools for Testing Your Firm’s Information Security, which will focus on both technical and non-technical tools firms can use to meet regulatory expectations regarding cybersecurity, as well as best practices for testing threats and system vulnerabilities.

Trading Risks and Compliance Resources

Trading practices and resulting compliance risks vary broadly from firm to firm depending upon investment strategies and programs employed, the types of securities traded, firm structure and resources, among other things. This session will explore the application of regulatory requirements, expectations and best industry practices to common trading programs to identify risks and aid in the sensible utilization of limited compliance resources to meet those obligations.

Learning Objectives:

• Review the fiduciary components and regulatory requirements of seeking best execution, accepting directed brokerage instructions, principal trading practices and explore common conflicts of interest related to trading 
• Survey recent enforcement cases relating to various trading practices to establish policies and procedures that account for shifting regulatory focus and concerns
• Decipher the influence of the SEC’s share-class and wrap fee program initiatives on a firm’s best execution obligation to develop new controls and disclosures as appropriate

Exploring the Application of FINRA’s New Rules and Examinations for 2018

In 2018, FINRA ushered in new rules in addition to the upcoming adoption of several proposed rules. Our panelists will discuss the new Securities Industry Essentials examination, new tools to address suspected financial exploitation, proposed amendments to FINRA Rule 4210, recent guidance on digital assets, and other items identified in the latest FINRA Regulatory and Examination Priorities Letter.

Learning Objectives

• Update your understanding of current broker-dealer regulatory concerns
• Identify new rules and interpretations that will have the greatest impact on your firm and its personnel
• Explore new tools FINRA provides to help broker-dealers address financial exploitation and abuse