The SEC Reg-BI Guidance For Small Businesses
Two things have become more worrying during my Reg-BI research. First, the CRS Form is not cheap to build. Each advisor may well spend an average of 23.77 hours and over $6,000 to build the form.But, the second, more worrying realization is that small firms are not as prepared as larger firms. As a Deloitte survey study found, small financial services businesses lag behind larger firms in their efforts to become compliant with Regulation best-interest.
Understanding the E-Mail Validation feature in Larkspur Executive Pro
When we released the CTML (Customizable Trackable Marketing Letters) in Larkspur Executive, we realized that one criteria, above all others, would be paramount to our client’s success in utilizing this new feature: Our ability to deliver high quality email addresses with low bounce rates. The first task is obtaining emails. This process has evolved over...Read More
Successful Marketing with LE Pro/Platinum
The Basics – For Everyone Not for everyone – But very helpful, even in parts The End One of the most common requests we receive from clients is to share some best practices for using our Larkspur Executive Pro and Platinum products. This blog post will delve into some of the details of what makes...Read More
ESG Remains Resilient During The Pandemic Crisis
ESG Commitment Keeping up with Traditional Investing Shifting from “E” to “S” Is it still ESG if it’s all Tech? Wait and See on ESG Don’t let headlines direct clients The accurate measure of an investment is not just how well it performs relative to its benchmark. The COVID-19 shutdown is the first stress test...Read More
IRA and Rollover Considerations
Reg-BI IRA and Rollover Considerations BDs and RIAs must keep a record of: Less than 2 months to the compliance deadline! Unfortunately, newly unemployed people may be considering rollovers from their company’s 401 (k) to an IRA. During the 2008-09 financial crisis, almost 1 in 5 employers pulled back their matching contributions to 401 (k)...Read More
Improve Plan Sponsor Conversion & Increase Revenue with ParticipantDirect
How Does This Help You? How This Helps Participants? How This Helps Plan Sponsor? We always explain to our clients that Larkspur-RiXtrema apps have two goals: Help you win more plans Help you make more revenue from those plans by providing valuable services To help you win plans (goal #1) we enhanced Larkspur Executive with...Read More
5 Components To The Form CRS Examinations
What is the OCIE expecting by June 30th? 5 Compliance Components in the Form CRS Examinations There’s a lot more to learn about the CRS Form Form CRS may be the most challenging hurdle for Registered Investment Advisors and Broker-Dealers. Small firms, especially, may struggle to meet the Customer Relationship Summary because they do not...Read More
How Does The COVID Crisis Mix With Corporate Debt
Look to the past, lest ye beware What do the Rating agencies say? Bond Market History doesn’t offer much guidance In previous articles, Yon and I analyzed the threat of the corporate bond market and the potential risk for heavily-leveraged corporations to fall into junk-bond territory. Indeed, it’s easy to point at oddly inflated graphs...Read More
Risk Alerts Regarding Reg BI For Broker-Dealers And Investment Advisers
Two Risk Alerts were released by The SEC’s Office of Compliance Inspections and Examinations (OCIE) for Reg BI and Form CRS on April 7, 2020. The Risk Alerts were issued to inform broker-dealers and investment advisers about the scope and content of initial examinations after the compliance date of June 30 for Reg BI and...Read More
Journey Through The Liquidity Trap
The Pandemic is a Supply Shock It’s a TRAP! A Liquidity Trap! So, who provides the growth? Odysseus’ Choice More risk scenarios in Portfolio Crash Test Pro (Banner Below) In my native state, North Carolina, protestors gather to resist the Governor’s stay-at-home order. Regardless of your political leanings, we can agree that such gatherings are...Read More