Tr?id=566623520170033&ev=PageView&noscript=1

SEC Scrutiny Intensifies Over Cash Management in Advisory Accounts

Posted on August 20th, 2024 at 11:13 AM
SEC Scrutiny Intensifies Over Cash Management in Advisory Accounts

From the desk of Jim Eccleston at Eccleston Law

InvestmentNews reports that recent developments have intensified concerns about how broker-dealers manage cash in investment advisory accounts. Morgan Stanley and Wells Fargo & Co. are currently under scrutiny from the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) regarding their handling of client cash balances.

Morgan Stanley recently disclosed that the SEC is seeking information about specific advisory accounts. This follows Wells Fargo's announcement last week that it is negotiating with the SEC over an investigation into its cash sweep practices in advisory accounts.

Both firms are not alone; many broker-dealers face similar inquiries. According to InvestmentNews, with interest rates rising sharply from near zero in early 2022 to over 5 percent, the SEC is focusing on whether firms are optimizing returns on client cash.

Wells Fargo had previously revealed an ongoing SEC investigation into its cash sweep options provided to advisory clients. The SEC is examining whether these options were appropriately disclosed at account opening.

Morgan Stanley reported that since April 2024, it has been responding to the SEC's request for information related to advisory account cash balances and compliance with the InvestmentAdvisers Act of 1940.

 

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

Tags: eccleston, eccleston law, sec

Return to Archive

TESTIMONIALS

Previous
Next
Quotes Bigger

I just received this letter from the CFP Board. Thank you, Thank you, THANK YOU!

David Y

LATEST NEWS AND ARTICLES

1794418115 Law
November 11, 2026
Morgan Stanley Develops AI Super Agents to Build Portfolios and Manage Client Accounts

Morgan Stanley is developing AI-powered "super agents" that could eventually build investment portfolios, manage client accounts and handle many of the routine tasks that wealth management professionals perform today.

1794338007 Law
November 10, 2026
SEC Accuses Crypto Investment Scheme of Raising $130 Million Through Fake Approval Claims

The SEC has charged two entities with operating a cryptocurrency investment scheme that raised more than $130 million from tens of thousands of retail investors.

1794251609 Law
November 9, 2026
Court Restrains Former Citizens Advisor From Using His Memory to Recreate Customer Names in Transition to Ameriprise

A federal judge in Boston has temporarily barred former Citizens Securities advisor Darrell Smith from using client names he recalled from memory to contact former customers after moving to Ameriprise Financial.