FINRA recently proposed a rule (the “Proposed Rule”) addressing FINRA-registered broker-dealer’s (“Broker-Dealers”) responsibilities to supervise the outside business activities of their registered representatives (“Registered Representatives”).[1] According to FINRA, the Proposed Rule is “intended to reduce unnecessary burdens while strengthening investor protections relating to outside activities.”[2] Notably, the Proposed Rule, if adopted, would finally permit Broker-Dealers to be friendly to registered investment advisers (“RIAs”).

The Proposed Rule eliminates Broker-Dealer’s ongoing supervision requirements with respect to their Registered Representative’s investment advisory activities, including serving as investment adviser representatives (“IARs”) of RIAs. The Proposed Rule eliminates various supervisory requirements of Broker-Dealers over such Registered Representatives, including e-mail monitoring and advertisement review. The Proposed Rule also limits the Broker-Dealer’s recordkeeping obligations by requiring the Broker-Dealer to only keep records demonstrating compliance with the Proposed Rule. For example, a Broker-Dealer’s recordkeeping requirements generally only apply to the extent that the Broker-Dealer imposes limitations on the investment advisory activity.[3]

The Proposed Rule does not, however, eliminate all Broker-Dealer obligations with respect to Registered Representatives serving as IARs. Under the Proposed Rule, Broker-Dealers must perform a reasonable risk assessment of the outside business activity, and may approve a Registered Representative to serve as an IAR of an RIA, with or without limitations.[4]

The Proposed Rule recognizes Broker-Dealer supervision of investment advisory activities only creates obstacles for Broker-Dealers, Registered Representatives, RIAs, and IARs, especially considering RIAs and IARs are subject to their own regulatory scheme designed to protect investors. We welcome this long-overdue development.

If you have any questions related to the Proposed Rule or Broker-Dealer or RIA regulation generally, please feel free to contact us.

[1] FINRA, Proposed Rule: Outside Business Activities, Regulatory Notice 18-08 (Feb. 2018), available at http://www.finra.org/industry/notices/18-08.

[2] Id.

[3] Id. A broker-dealer has greater record keeping and supervisory obligations when the representative relies on the broker-dealer’s broker or dealer registration to conduct the activities. In this circumstance, the activity is deemed to be the broker-dealer’s business and is subject to all applicable securities laws and regulations, including recordkeeping and supervision.

[4] Id.