By Ivan Barretto, RIA Compliance Concepts AI Washing in RIA Marketing What Advisors Need to Know AI Washing in RIA Marketing What Advisors Need to Know Walk through almost any adviser’s website and you will see some version of the same promise: “AI-powered portfolios,” “machine-learning insights,” “intelligent planning,” or “automated intelligence for better outcomes.” Some of those claims are accurate. Many are aspirational. A few describe technology the firm does not use at

MNPI Recognition for RIAs: What CCOs Need to Know MNPI Recognition for RIAs: What CCOs Need to Know MNPI problems rarely arrive with a warning label. They show up in ordinary places: a due diligence packet, a casual comment from an issuer contact, a side conversation at an industry event, or a private fund update that says more than it should. Every registered investment adviser must establish, maintain, and enforce written policies reasonably designed to prevent the misuse o

Google Workspace Settings for SEC and FINRA Compliance Google Workspace Settings for SEC and FINRA Compliance Google Workspace can run a lean RIA. It can also leave a lean RIA exposed if Gmail, Drive, Chat, and Vault are left in their default state. That is the trap. Google Workspace has many of the pieces an adviser needs for electronic records, supervision, access control, and retrieval. But those pieces sit in different places: the Admin console, Google Vault, security set

Microsoft 365 SEC Compliance Guide for Investment Advisers Microsoft 365 SEC Compliance Guide for Investment Advisers Microsoft 365 can hold almost every record an advisory firm creates, but that does not mean it preserves those records the way regulators expect. Exchange Online may keep your email moving. SharePoint and OneDrive may make file access easier. Teams may help staff communicate faster. Still, the default setup is built for productivity, not SEC or FINRA recordkee

Understanding Colorado's New Investment Adviser Licensing Rules: What You Need to Know Understanding Colorado's New Investment Adviser Licensing Rules: What You Need to Know If your Registered Investment Adviser (RIA) firm conducts business in Colorado, recent changes to the state's licensing requirements demand your attention. Starting August 12, 2026, the Colorado Division of Securities has updated regulations that affect who must register or file notices in the state. Thes

Understanding the Impact of NASAA’s Model Advertising Rules on RIA Marketing Strategies Understanding the Impact of NASAA’s Model Advertising Rules on RIA Marketing Strategies The regulatory environment for investment adviser advertising is changing rapidly. After the SEC updated its Marketing Rule, state securities regulators have been working to align their own rules with these new standards. The North American Securities Administrators Association (NASAA) created a Model A

Navigating the Evolving Landscape of Private Placement Due Diligence for RIAs Navigating the Evolving Landscape of Private Placement Due Diligence for RIAs State-registered Registered Investment Advisers (RIAs) face increasing scrutiny from state securities regulators, especially regarding private placement recommendations. While the SEC has eased some rules around exempt offerings, state regulators and the North American Securities Administrators Association (NASAA) have int

State Regulators Enforce Fee Transparency with $19 Million Crackdown on Financial Firms State Regulators Enforce Fee Transparency with $19 Million Crackdown on Financial Firms Financial firms across the United States are facing a significant crackdown on opaque fee structures. State regulators, working together through a coordinated task force, have imposed a $19 million settlement on major firms for failing to clearly disclose transaction-based fees to retail clients. This e

Navigating the Upcoming Regulation Crypto: What RIAs Must Prepare For Navigating the Upcoming Regulation Crypto: What RIAs Must Prepare For For years, Registered Investment Advisers (RIAs) have faced a tough challenge when dealing with digital assets. The technology behind cryptocurrencies and blockchain moves fast, but the regulatory framework has lagged behind. This mismatch has made compliance difficult and uncertain. That is about to change. The Securities and Exchange Co

Navigating the SEC's New Rulemaking Agenda: What Compliance Pros Need to Know Navigating the SEC's New Rulemaking Agenda: What Compliance Pros Need to Know Compliance professionals, take a deep breath. For years, managing SEC rules has felt like running an obstacle course in the dark while wearing concrete boots. The complexity and rigidity of certain regulations, especially around political contributions and recordkeeping, have created significant challenges for Registered I