The issue of when a person may be considered a “broker” or “dealer” and subject to registration as such under the federal securities laws, as distinguished from so-called finders (and therefore not subject to the panoply of...more
We’re occasionally asked if it’s a good idea for issuers to pay unregistered “finders” fees in exchange for connecting potential investors in conjunction with private securities offerings. “No,” is the short answer....more
Garcia Case Highlights Necessity of Knowing Your Customer and Listening to Internal Fraud Watchdogs. The SEC’s recent Order against a broker-dealer (the “Firm”) imposed a $750,000 financial penalty for the Firm’s failure...more
Conn Kavanaugh attorneys Andrew R. Dennington and Julie M. Muller recently secured a significant win for their client before the U.S. First Circuit Court of Appeals. The First Circuit affirmed that summary judgment properly...more
A recent US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) settled enforcement action that found that a hedge fund acted as an unregistered “dealer” has blurred the traditional line between dealers and traders. On August 17, 2021,...more
FINRA’s final adjudicative body, the National Adjudicatory Counsel (“NAC”) recently issued a decision, affirming a Hearing Panel decision, sanctioning Silver Leaf Partners, LLC (“Silver Leaf”) for making improper payments to...more
We get asked from time-to-time whether it is advisable for issuers to pay fees to unregistered “finders” for introducing potential investors in the United States to the issuer in connection with securities offerings. The...more
The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) recently approved a Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (“FINRA”) proposal to adopt a new regime for the regulation of electing broker-dealer firms that meet the...more
On June 1, 2016, the SEC issued a press release that announced a Maryland-based private equity fund advisory firm and its owner have agreed to pay more than $3.1 million to settle charges that they engaged in brokerage...more
At SEC Speaks Chair White noted that the SEC is more than a disclosure agency. In areas like exchange regulation financial standards and investment advisers the Commission engages in substantive regulation, suggesting perhaps...more
On August 24, 2015, FINRA Rule 2040 concerning payments to unregistered persons went into effect. The rule, approved by the SEC in January 2015, is aligned with § 15(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Generally, FINRA...more