Alternative Assets in Your 401k, or 401k as an Investor in Your Fund

On August 7, 2025, President Trump issued an executive order titled “Democratizing Access to Alternative Assets for 401(k) Investors.” The order asks the relevant federal agencies to clarify the obligations of Employee Retirement Income Security Act plan fiduciaries when considering alternative assets as potential investment options for defined contribution plans. So private funds may end … Read more »

Definitely, Not in the Best Interest

Before and after Regulation BI, broker-dealers get suitability questionnaires from their clients. Knowing your clients’ risk tolerance, liquidity needs, investment goals, and investment experience are keys to giving good investment advice. Certainly there has been a lot of concern about the changing standard from “suitability” to “best interest.” Rightly so. When I see a Reg … Read more »

FinCEN Announces Postponement and Reopening of Investment Adviser Anti-Money Laundering Rule

Financial Crimes Enforcement Network announced its intention to postpone the effective date of the final rule establishing Anti-Money Laundering/Countering the Financing of Terrorism Program and Suspicious Activity Report Filing Requirements for Registered Investment Advisers and Exempt Reporting Advisers and to revisit the scope of this rule at a future date.  FinCEN said it anticipates delaying the effective … Read more »

Once Again, It’s Not Compliant to Fake Your Compliance Documents

Two days in a row of compliance officers making the mistake of faking compliance documents. Yesterday it was a compliance officer who faked compliance reviews. Today, its a compliance officer who faked employee securities transaction approvals. According to the SEC Order, Suzanne Ballek was the Chief Compliance Officer of Inland Investment Advisors, part of the … Read more »