Welcome to our biweekly recap, where we curate the top compliance news and insights from various industry publications. We have selected the most relevant and important updates related to regulatory compliance, industry news, and critical updates.
Today’s recap focuses on Marketing Rule FAQs, the FCA’s 5-year plan, new FINRA proposals and requested feedback, and change to the SEC under the Acting Chair.
Here are our top compliance articles as of March 28, 2025:
Marketing Compliance Frequently Asked Questions (Author – SEC)
The SEC’s Division of Investment Management has released updated FAQs on its Marketing Rule, offering guidance on areas like performance advertising and interim performance information. The FAQs address multiple specific scenarios, providing advisers with clarity for ongoing compliance.
FCA launches 5-year strategy to support growth and improve lives (Author – FCA)
The UK’s Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has unveiled a five-year strategy focusing on four key priorities: becoming a more efficient regulator, supporting sustained economic growth, enhancing consumer financial navigation, and combating financial crime. Initiatives include streamlining processes, embracing technology, fostering innovation, and disrupting criminal activities within the financial sector.
FINRA Requests Comment on a Proposal to Reduce Unnecessary Burdens and Simplify Requirements Regarding Associated Persons’ Outside Activities (Author – FINRA)
FINRA has issued Regulatory Notice 25-05, seeking comments on a proposed rule to streamline and reduce unnecessary burdens regarding existing requirements for the outside activities of member firms’ associated persons, including registered persons.
The proposed rule would combine current Rules 3270 and 3280, and aims to:
- Enhance efficiency
- Streamline requirements and reduce burdens
- Maintain investor protections
- Provide needed clarity
The comment period ends on May 13, 2025.
Acting SEC head remakes agency before Trump pick confirmed (Author – Nicola M. White and Lydia Beyoud, Financial Planning)
Acting SEC Chair Mark Uyeda is implementing significant changes to the agency’s structure and operations.
“In less than two months, the regulator has not only dropped more than 10 high-profile crypto-enforcement cases, but also rolled back deadlines to comply with three new rules, declared most memecoins exempt from securities laws, made it easier for companies to reject shareholder proposals and ended litigation of landmark climate-reporting regulations.”
FINRA Seeks Feedback on Remote Work, Branch Office Rules (Author – Melanie Waddell, Think Advisor)
“The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority is undertaking a broad review of its rules, and is looking for feedback by May 12 on which ones it needs to modernize — including rules around remote work and branch offices.
FINRA said in a March 12 Reg Notice that it’s also focused on “potential updates to its rules and regulatory approaches that might be appropriate in light of non-FINRA requirements applicable” to broker-dealers.”
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