December 2025

FINRA’s 2026 Annual Regulatory Oversight Report: Key Insights for Compliance Programs

Executive Summary The FINRA 2026 Annual Regulatory Oversight Report provides essential guidance for firms to strengthen compliance and supervisory practices. The 2026 edition introduces new content and adds to existing sections: there is a new dedicated section for “GenAI: Continuing and Emerging Trends,” and callout boxes highlight other key areas such as cybersecurity threats, AML and other frauds, and technology management. Regarding Generative AI, FINRA warns that its use — whether in-house or via third-party vendors, introduces new compliance challenges: e.g., data privacy, transparency, auditability, “hallucinations” and potential misuse. The report reaffirms that firms cannot outsource their regulatory obligations, including […]

SEC Issues New Risk Alert on Adviser Marketing Rule Compliance: What Firms Need to Know

On December 16, 2025, the SEC’s Division of Examinations released a new Risk Alert, “Additional Observations Regarding Advisers’ Compliance with the Advisers Act Marketing Rule,” offering fresh insight into how investment advisers are struggling to meet the rule’s requirements – particularly when using testimonials, endorsements, and third-party ratings. The Risk Alert builds on prior guidance and reflects deficiencies identified during recent examinations. The SEC’s message is consistent and direct: Marketing Rule compliance remains an examination priority, and advisers should reassess not only their disclosures, but also the policies, procedures, and oversight frameworks that support their marketing activities. Key Observations: Testimonials and Endorsements While the Marketing Rule […]

2025 Year-End Review: Adjuster Licensing Updates and What to Expect in 2026

As 2025 draws to a close, I’ve seen firsthand just how much the adjuster licensing landscape has evolved this year. In our recent RegEd webinar, Michael Pouliot, our EVP of Sales, and I walked through the most impactful regulatory changes and discussed what compliance professionals should be preparing for as we head into 2026. From emerging state requirements to new best practices for navigating multi-state adjuster licensing, here’s my perspective on what you need to know. The Growing Complexity of Adjuster Licensing Managing adjuster licensing has never been more challenging. According to RegEd’s recent industry survey, the top pain points for compliance teams include navigating differing state […]

’Tis the Season… for Compliance: How to Stay One Gift Away from a FINRA Rule 3220 Violation

The holidays bring an uptick in generosity – festive gatherings, year-end celebrations, and of course, the tradition of gift giving. But for financial services firms, this season of goodwill can also usher in heightened compliance risk. A single misstep in gifts and gratuities could push firms from “one gift away” to violating FINRA Rule 3220. Fortunately, this risk is entirely preventable. By pairing modern compliance technology with clear policies and strong governance, firms can confidently navigate year-end gifting without fear of financial penalties, sanctions, or damage to client trust. Complying with FINRA Rule 3220 is challenging in the best of times – and even more so during a season marked by increased […]

RegEd’s Advertising Compliance Solution Surpasses 8 Million Submissions

Through continuous innovation and AI-powered automation, the solution continues to set the standard for marketing and advertising compliance in the financial services industry RegEd, a leading provider of compliance solutions for financial services firms, has reached a major new milestone: Enterprise Advertising Review has now surpassed 8 million submissions, representing more than 15 million review decisions and nearly 17 million submitted review items. This achievement underscores RegEd’s unmatched ability to streamline advertising compliance at scale, powered by advanced technology and AI-driven automation. The solution’s continued high-growth adoption reflects RegEd’s commitment to exceeding the evolving needs of the financial services industry, from mid-sized firms to enterprise organizations with the highest submission volumes. Today, RegEd’s solution serves six of the […]