SEC Report Highlights Concerns Over Mandatory Arbitration Clauses In RIA Practices

Posted on June 30th, 2023 at 1:05 PM
SEC Report Highlights Concerns Over Mandatory Arbitration Clauses In RIA Practices

From the desk of Jim Eccleston at Eccleston Law 

A recent report from the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to Congress has expressed concerns regarding using mandatory arbitration clauses in retail customer agreements by registered investment advisory (RIA) firms. The report questions the adequacy of current disclosure requirements and raises considerations about the potential impact on investors.

According to the staff report, approximately 61 percent of RIA firms that cater to retail investors include mandatory arbitration clauses in their investment advisory agreements. However, determining the exact prevalence of these clauses is challenging due to limited publicly available information.

The report also highlights a stark contrast in disclosure requirements between investment advisor representatives and brokers registered with the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA). Investment advisor representatives' disclosures regarding arbitrations were found to be significantly less comprehensive compared to the obligations placed on FINRA-registered brokers, who must disclose pending complaints, hearing outcomes, and settlement details. According to AdvisorHub, the report's findings indicate a need for closer examination and potential revisions to the disclosure requirements surrounding mandatory arbitration clauses in RIA agreements.

 

Eccleston Law LLC represents investors, investment advisers, and financial advisors nationwide in securities, employment, transition, regulatory, and disciplinary matters.

 

Tags: eccleston, eccleston law

Return to Archive

TESTIMONIALS

Previous
Next

You are the best attorneys in the country.

CC

LATEST NEWS AND ARTICLES

November 25, 2025
Financial Advisor Accepts FINRA Bar Amidst Investigation into Alleged Misappropriation

A financial advisor affiliated with a credit union connected to Raymond James Financial agreed to an industry bar after declining to cooperate with FINRA’s investigation into allegations that he misappropriated client funds.

November 24, 2025
Kyle Busch Alleges Considerable Losses in Indexed Universal Life (IUL) Scheme

Kyle Busch, a two-time NASCAR Cup Series champion, and his wife Samantha announced that they lost more than $8.6 million in what they describe as a “devastating financial scheme” involving an Indexed Universal Life (IUL) insurance policy.

November 21, 2025
FINRA Fines Independent Financial Group for Allowing Suspended Broker to Place Trades

The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) issued a censure and $100,000 fine against Independent Financial Group (IFG) after finding that the IFG allowed a suspended and statutorily disqualified broker to continue placing trades.