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

SEC Warns Financial Advisory Firms Regarding Conflicts of Interest Tied to Compensation

Posted on August 16th, 2022 at 2:37 PM
SEC Warns Financial Advisory Firms Regarding Conflicts of Interest Tied to Compensation

From the Desk of Jim Eccleston at Eccleston Law.

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has sent a warning to financial advisory firms that they must go above and beyond solely disclosing conflicts of interest related to employee pay programs in order to avoid regulatory scrutiny.

According to a recent SEC staff bulletin, the SEC is seeking to dissuade firms from taking a “check-the-box” approach to achieve compliance as advisors are being held responsible for identifying, disclosing and potentially eliminating conflicts of interest. The SEC additionally noted that financial advisory firms should closely monitor conflicts of interest that may develop from employee compensation because pay incentives may motivate an advisor to put their own interests ahead of their clients.

According to the SEC bulletin, firms also ought to avoid “compensation thresholds” that disproportionately increase pay via “incremental increases in sales of certain products or provision of certain services.” The bulletin additionally instructed firms to monitor sales and recommendations provided to clients when advisors are approaching thresholds for firm recognition.

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

Tags: eccleston, eccleston law, advisors, sec

Return to Archive

TESTIMONIALS

Previous
Next
Quotes Bigger

I am so glad I found you! Wow! I appreciate your help, concern and guidance.

RB

LATEST NEWS AND ARTICLES

1793645928 Law
November 2, 2026
FINRA Finds Florida Broker Violated Regulation Best Interest in Variable Annuity Exchanges

The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) has found that a Florida-based registered representative violated Regulation Best Interest (Reg BI) by recommending that eight retired clients exchange their variable annuities.

1793380402 Law
October 30, 2026
Former LPL Broker Faces Federal Charges in Alleged $11 Million Ponzi Scheme

Federal prosecutors accuse former LPL Financial broker William B.

1793294906 Law
October 29, 2026
FINRA Bars Former LPL Financial Broker for Refusing to Cooperate With Investigation

?The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA?) barred Buddy Dean Mason, a former LPL Financial broker in Lakeland, Florida, after he refused to provide documents and information during an investigation into a customer complaint involving an alleged outside investment.