On May 9, 2023, the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc. (“FINRA”) issued Regulatory Notice 23-08 (the “Notice”), which provides supplemental and updated guidance for members conducting private placements pursuant to the Regulation D safe harbors under Sections 3 or 4 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

The Notice does not change existing laws

Although the New Federal Exemption Is Generally Aligned with the SEC’s 2014 No-Action Relief, There Are Some Notable Differences. Moreover, State Law Registration Requirements for M&A Brokers Are Not Preempted.

The U.S. Congress recently enacted a conditional exemption (the “Exemption”) from registration under Section 15(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 for qualifying brokers

On February 15, 2023, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC” or the “Commission”) issued Release No. 34-96930 (the “Adopting Release”), containing final rules (the “Final Rules”) that will shorten the standard settlement cycle for broker-dealer transactions in securities from the current two business days after the trade date (“T+2”) to one business day

On February 7, 2023, the Division of Examinations of the US Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Division” and the “SEC,” respectively) announced its examination priorities for 2023. This year, the Division identified new and significant focus areas including: (i) recently adopted rules under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 and Investment Company Act of 1940

On January 10, 2023, the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc. (“FINRA”) published the 2023 Report on its Examination and Risk Monitoring Program (the “Report”). FINRA highlights several topics as key areas of risk for investors and the markets, including mobile apps, complex products and options, order handling/best execution, Regulation Best Interest and Form CRS, and

Proposed Changes Would Require Reporting within One Minute of Execution

On August 2, 2022, FINRA proposed to amend FINRA Rule 6730(a)(1) to reduce the Trade Reporting and Compliance Engine (“TRACE”) reporting timeframe for transactions in “TRACE-Eligible Securities” currently subject to a 15-minute outer limit reporting timeframe to one minute. The one-minute outer limit reporting timeframe

Proposed Rules Could Require Dealer Registration by Certain Principal Trading Firms, Private Funds, Investment Advisers and Other Market Participants

On March 28, 2022, the US Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) proposed two new rules – SEC Rules 3a5-4 and 3a44-2 (the “Proposed Rules”) – that would further define the phrase “as part of a regular

On March 30, 2022, the Division of Examinations of the US Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) announced its examination priorities for 2022. This year’s priorities specifically focus on: (i) private funds; (ii) environmental, social and governance investing; (iii) standards of conduct, including Regulation Best Interest, fiduciary duty and Form CRS; (iv) information security and operational

FINRA adds new topics for 2022 and new material to previously covered topics.

On February 9, 2022, the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc. (“FINRA”) published its 2022 Report on FINRA’s Examination and Risk Monitoring Program (the “Report”). FINRA intends for the Report to be an up-to-date, evolving resource for firms that may help inform their