MCG Consulting Broker Dealers

SEC 2026 Examination Priorities: How MCG Consulting and Wolters Kluwer Help Firms Prepare

Broker-Dealer, ComplianceLeave a comment

The SEC’s Fiscal Year 2026 Examination Priorities, released in November 2025, signal a continued shift toward risk-based, effectiveness-driven regulatory oversight. Examiners are focused on how compliance programs function in practice—particularly across complex products, AML and financial crime, books and records, and compliance training culture. For broker-dealers, investment advisers, and registered investment companies, aligning with these…

SEC Eases Use of Personal Entities for Broker Commissions

Broker-Dealer, Compliance

Posted on November 30, 2025 Written by: Maria Minguez, Sr.Consultant and Michael Dorsey, Sr. Consultant Good morning, fellow professionals in the independent financial services industry. As registered broker-dealers and representatives navigating an ever-evolving regulatory landscape, staying ahead of compliance updates is crucial for protecting your business and optimizing operations. Today, we’re excited to share a…

Trading floor

Is your AML framework fortified?: What you Need to Know to Protect your Firm

Compliance, FINRA

In the evolving landscape of financial regulation, broker-dealers face mounting pressure to fortify their anti-money laundering (AML) frameworks, particularly in trade surveillance. FINRA Regulatory Notice 21-03, issued on February 10, 2021, underscores the heightened risks associated with low-priced securities—often referred to as microcap or penny stocks—and the need for vigilant monitoring to detect potential fraud…

Navigating Conflicts in Due Diligence Under FINRA Notice 21-03: Implications You Should Know Now

Compliance, FINRA

FINRA Notice 21-03 highlights a critical intersection between anti-money laundering (AML) compliance and market integrity, particularly for firms active in underwriting, distributing, and trading low-priced or OTC securities. These markets, often characterized by limited transparency and heightened volatility, present increased risk of fraud, manipulation, and regulatory exposure. To remain compliant, firms must integrate AML-driven surveillance…

Business men watching stock growth on monitor

FINRA Targets Small-Cap Offerings: Immediate Action Needed from Financial Institutions

Compliance, Mutual Funds

In light of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority’s (FINRA) ongoing targeted examination of practices surrounding public and private offerings of small-capitalization exchange-listed issuers with business operations in foreign jurisdictions—such as China—financial institutions must immediately prioritize a comprehensive self-assessment of their current public and private offering practices. This review, detailed in FINRA’s October 2025 guidance, focuses…

Outsourced Compliance for BSA/AML and OFAC

Compliance, Mutual Funds

The Compliance Burden in a High-Risk Environment In today’s regulatory landscape, financial institutions are under increasing pressure to remain compliant with a maze of laws and evolving global threats. At the center of this compliance framework are three pillars: the Bank Secrecy Act (BSA), Anti-Money Laundering (AML) regulations, and the Office of Foreign Assets Control…

Non-Compliance Costs: Avoid the Fines

Compliance, Financial, Financial Fraud, Regulations, Trade Surveillance

The Cost of Non-Compliance: Avoiding Hefty Fines In today’s complex regulatory environment, non-compliance isn’t just a legal issue—it’s a significant financial risk. Organizations that fail to adhere to industry regulations and standards can face substantial fines, reputational harm, and operational setbacks. Understanding the true cost of non-compliance is essential for businesses aiming to protect their…

Digital Transformation Compliance Practices

Compliance, Financial, Financial Fraud, Regulations, Trade Surveillance

Digital transformation is no longer optional for financial institutions—it’s essential. As regulatory requirements grow more complex and manual compliance efforts become less sustainable, embracing digital tools is critical to staying ahead. Done right, digital transformation can reduce risk, enhance accuracy, and free teams to focus on strategy instead of spreadsheets. In this guide, we’ll explore…

The Role of Compliance in Cryptocurrency and Digital Assets

Compliance, Financial, Financial Fraud, Regulations, Trade Surveillance

As the adoption of cryptocurrency and digital assets accelerates across global markets, regulatory scrutiny is rapidly increasing. From anti-money laundering (AML) to securities classification and tax reporting, businesses operating in this space must now navigate a complex and evolving compliance landscape. In this article, we examine the regulatory challenges, compliance requirements, and best practices associated…

Financial Fraud Detection: Emerging Threats and Prevention Strategies

Compliance, Financial, Financial Fraud, Regulations, Trade Surveillance

Financial fraud continues to evolve—growing more sophisticated, digital, and costly. As technology advances, so do the tactics of fraudsters, posing serious risks to businesses and financial institutions. From synthetic identities to deepfake-based scams, today’s threats demand proactive, tech-enabled defenses. In this article, we analyze emerging financial fraud trends and share actionable prevention strategies to help…