Annual Update Information for CPOs, CTAs, IBs, and FCMs We are a little behind getting this update out this year.  Please contact us if you have any questions or would like help with any updates. **** NFA members (including commodity pool operators, commodity trading advisers, introducing brokers, futures commission merchants, [...]

On December 1st and 2nd Private Equity International (PEI) will be hosting a Fund Compliance Forum in San Francisco.   The forum will be focused on providing private equity firms with information on various Dodd-Frank compliance requirements, including the investment adviser registration requirement.  Karl Cole-Frieman, a partner with Cole-Frieman & [...]

SEC v. Andrey C. Hicks and Locust Offshore Management, LLC Marketing, of course, is an issue close to the heart of every hedge fund manager. You spend so much time and effort making your pitchbook and other materials exactly right in terms of strategy, investment process and all the details [...]

SEC Mandates FINRA to Receive Form PF Filings SEC has chosen FINRA to accept Form PF filings on its behalf when and if Form PF is adopted.  As background, on January 26, 2011 the SEC issued a proposed Rule 204(b)-1 under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 which would require SEC [...]

Massachusetts Proposes Compliance Rules for Using Expert Networks Expert networks have been a major topic over the last few months and we are seeing the states, in addition to the SEC, focus on this area as a compliance issue for investment advisers.  Massachusetts recently revoked the state investment adviser license [...]

As part of the Hedge Fund Networking Summit Webcast Series, Bart Mallon of Mallon P.C. led an hour long presentation on compliance matters for California based hedge fund managers.  The presentation covered the following topics: New SEC and CA Hedge Fund Registration Requirements Registration Overview & Major Issues Compliance Overview [...]

Revocation of Investment Adviser License & Disgorgement of Profits Managers are becoming more aware of the various securities laws and compliance issues involved with the use of expert networks.  While the SEC has recently been active in this area (both in the RR insider trading complaint and the recent expert network action), [...]

Proposal to Require Greater Involvement in Private Placements by Broker-Dealers FINRA recently proposed amendments to Rule 5122 which would increase Broker-Dealer compliance responsibilities with respect to private placements in which the Broker-Dealer “participates.”  FINRA noted that the vast majority of private placements currently remain outside the purview of the rule [...]

CTA and CPO firms which are registered with the CFTC will need to make sure that they are completing all necessary annual compliance items in accordance with CFTC regulations and NFA rules. Below we have provided a list of the major items which registered firms should address with respect to [...]

As we noted previously, registered investment advisory firms and firm representatives must renew their registration annually by paying a fee to FINRA.  In November FINRA issued a Preliminary Renewal Statement for each registered IA firm which stated the amount of renewal fees which were due by December 13, 2010. While [...]