Oyster Stew - A Broth of Financial Services Commentary and Insights

The wealth management industry is shifting towards more data-driven, personalized and secure services.  In this week’s Oyster Stew podcast, Oyster experts  discuss the industry’s relationship with AI today, the role of Artificial Intelligence in Best Interest rules and recordkeeping, and the impacts of the SEC’s AI initiative. Get Oyster's insights into what SEC sweeps and investigations mean for Compliance teams, and what fir...

 In today's episode of the Oyster Stew podcast, Oyster experts Len Derus and Tim Buckler delve into a crucial topic: Regulatory expectations and observations regarding cyber risk management. Learn more about the responsibilities of Chief Compliance Officers (CCOs) and what the regulatory focus on cybersecurity means for compliance programs.   Join us as we examine the key insights from FINRA's  annual report, new SEC rule...

Our experts and special guest Susan Light,  Partner and Co-chair of Broker Dealer Regulation at Katten Muchin Rosenman LLP, explore the new SEC rules expanding the number of firms required to register with a self-regulatory organization.  They share their experience and insights into the rule changes, including what it means for the firms who must comply, the FINRA registration application process, challenges non-broker dealer enti...

 Oyster's seasoned professionals will share their experience, providing invaluable insights into FINRA's AML priorities. From customer due diligence to transaction monitoring, they'll guide you through the key considerations identified by FINRA, empowering you to elevate your AML framework. 

They also explore the findings unearthed in FINRA's examinations. Our experts will discuss prevalent issues disco...

 In this week's Oyster Stew Podcast, our Strategic Planning and Execution experts, Pete Bowman, Pete McAteer, Jay Donlin, Jeff Wilk, and Jeff Gearhart share their perspectives on the four critical areas that are transforming the clearing and custodian industry: 

• Technology advances and accessibility are reshaping how firms look at clearing and custodian services. 
• Economics, from interest rates to market fluctuatio...

A lot has happened in the last year when it comes to compliance in the financial services industry.  Today our consultants share their perspectives and what we heard from our clients about the following areas of regulatory focus, including DOL Retrospective Reviews, outside business activity monitoring, private fund rules, direct business, off channel communications, cybersecurity, and FINRA's branch inspection pilot program. 

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When regulatory remediation is required and your firm is working under consent orders, it is important for financial services firms to have a plan to efficiently execute the process to avoid excess disruption, manage risk and reputational damage, and to navigate the firm's continuing relationship with the regulators. In today’s podcast Oyster’s Tim Buckler and Paul Saroj, SVP of Regulatory Enforcement remediation at Simpluris,...

A necessary part of any financial services firm’s business is handling disputes that arise.  Whether it's a complaint from a customer, litigation, regulatory inquiries and investigations, firms need to have a well-thought-out process for handling these disputes.  In today’s podcast, Oyster Consulting experts Ed Wegener, Evan Rosser and John Ivan discuss 

·         how to approach the dispute review

·         how to work with and...

Each year the SEC publishes its exam priorities for the coming year. Join us for today’s podcast as Oyster Consulting’s Capital Markets experts Jeff Gearhart, Frank Childress and Jose Fernandez share their thoughts on the priorities related to broker-dealer trading practices including:

·       Rule 15c2-11 

·       Reg SHO

·       Reg ATS and filing requirements

Oyster Consulting has the expertise, experience and li...

Join us for Part 2 of our discussion with Mark Hendrickson from D.A. Davidson Companies about where CAT and CAIS reporting stands today, the pain points firms are facing and what they should be doing to manage the current and upcoming reporting requirements. 

Oyster Consulting has the expertise, experience and licensed professionals you need, all under one roof. Follow us on LinkedIn to take advantage of our...

FINRA’s Consolidated Audit Trail, or CAT, continues to evolve from account-centric trade reporting requirements to now including customer-centric CAIS reporting. 

Today's podcast guest is Mark Hendrickson, Head of Trading and Streetside Operations at DA Davidson Companies. Mark is also an Industry Advisory Committee Member representing clearing firms on the US Advisory Operating Committee of the Consolidated Audit Trail.  Join ...

 Many introducing broker-dealers are moving to affiliate with another broker-dealer.  Join Oyster Managing Directors Pete Bowman and Dave Williams as they discuss what affiliation means for broker-dealers, what is driving firms to the strategy, and what part the advisory side of the business plays when firms consider affiliation. 

Oyster Consulting has the expertise, experience and licensed professionals you need, all under one...

Oyster’s Capital Markets experts were recently featured on the Bond Dealer Association’s podcast, “Bonding Time,” discussing issues affecting the U.S. fixed income markets.

 The podcast, hosted by Michael Decker of BDA, covers:

• Fair Pricing for  Fixed Income products and compliance with Rule 2121, and MSRB Rule G30 
• Best execution and the SEC’s new proposal
• The latest on FINRA and MSRB trade reporting, including the proposals to sh...

Regulatory exams and sweeps are enough to keep any CCO up at night. In today’s podcast, Ed Wegener and Len Derus, both former FINRA regulators, walk through what helps inform regulator decisions about what to look for in an exam, how regulators identify areas for a sweep, and how you can use sweep letters to your advantage.  

Oyster Consulting has the expertise, experience and licensed professionals you need, all under one roof...

 In order to become a registered broker-dealer, you must be registered with FINRA. Applying for this membership is an extensive process with multiple steps. We receive many, many questions about submitting a New Member Application (NMA) with FINRA and when a firm needs to submit a Continuing Membership Application (CMA). In this episode of the Oyster Stew podcast, Oyster’s Ed Wegener and Lisa Robinson shares their thoughts on fast-...

CEOs of broker-dealers are faced with the continuous pressure to innovate and increase profits. If these aren't happening, there is also pressure to sell.  Successful broker dealers know that understanding how to navigate the demand for innovation and growth, or for changing the business model entirely is key for long-term prosperity. 

In today’s podcast, Pete Bowman, Managing Director of Oyster’s Strategic Planning and Executi...

Platform technology, regulatory pressure, mergers and acquisitions are all driving financial services firms to re-evaluate their business models.  In today’s podcast, Pete Bowman, Managing Director of Oyster’s Strategic Planning and Execution team and Dave Williams, Head of Business Development share their insights on how some firms are positioning themselves for the future. 

Oyster Consulting has the expertise, experience and ...

In December 2022 the SEC offered 4 market structure proposals. The proposal to modernize Rule 605 was met with broad-based industry support.  Oyster Consultant Frank Childress and guest Ted Karn, founder of The Karn Group, walk through what modernizing Rule 605 will mean for the industry, and what firms should be doing to prepare. 

Oyster Consulting has the expertise, experience and licensed professionals you need, all under on...

The investing population has grown and so has their wealth. This is good for their finances, but also creates more opportunities for fraud and abuse.  Bob Mooney, General Counsel of Oyster Consulting, and Ron Long, Principal of Long Life Consulting, walk through the issues around protecting elder and vulnerable investors against fraud and abuse, and what financial services firms are doing to combat it. 

Oyster Consulting has th...