Built To Scale with CRC-Oyster

In the inaugural episode of Built To Scale with CRC-Oyster, host Michael Durette, Managing Principal and Chief Revenue Officer of CRC-Oyster, sits down with Founder and Managing Partner Mitch Avnet and Managing Principal Buddy Doyle. Together, they reflect on the origins of their respective legacy organizations and the strategic acquisition that brought them together under CRC-Oyster. The discussion explores the current regulatory ...

In this Oyster Stew episode our experts unpack what regulators expect and how firms can build strong processes around Reg Bi and account type recommendations recommendations.

·       What Makes an Account Recommendation “Best Interest”? 

·       Balancing Cost and Services. 

·       Special Considerations in Practice Transitions. 

·    &nbs...

In Part 2 of this Oyster Stew conversation, Ed Wegener continues the discussion with compliance experts Brent Nicks and Len Derus—this time focusing on the most pressing challenges firms face in applying Reg BI and fiduciary duty in practice: documentation, compensation conflicts, and rollover recommendations.

What You'll Learn in Part 2

• Documentation Expectations: When to document recommendations—and when not to&mdas...

While the core principles of Reg BI and investment advisor fiduciary duty remain consistent, regulatory expectations continue to evolve through examinations, enforcement actions, and formal guidance.

In Part 1 of this conversation, our experts explore the foundational similarities and differences between Reg BI and fiduciary duty, unpack how regulators are sharpening their focus on documentation, conflicts of interest, and the firm-...

Dive deep into the crucial foundation every organization should have in place before successfully integrating AI into its operations. In Part 4 of our special AI Series with Carolyn Welshhans of Morgan Lewis, our expert panel explores: 

·       Key Strategies for Building Effective AI Governance Frameworks

·       AI Policies to Your Firm’s Risk Profile and Systems

·    &nbs...

Powerful AI tools are rapidly transforming financial services, but beneath the promise of efficiency lurks significant risk. For firms eager to harness AI’s power while avoiding costly missteps, strategic planning and sound governance are non-negotiable. In Part 3 of our special Oyster Stew podcast series with Morgan Lewis, our panel of experts uncovers the practical realities facing firms implementing artificial intelligence...

In this second installment of our special Oyster Stew podcast series, experts Pete McAteer, Dan Garrett and Jeff Gearheart from Oyster Consulting and Carolyn Welshhans from Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP dive deep into how firms can navigate regulatory scrutiny while leveraging AI's potential.

Whether you’re evaluating new fintech tools, implementing generative AI, or managing governance across platforms, this series offers e...

In this special series of the Oyster Stew podcast, Oyster Consulting’s Pete McAteer, Dan Garrett and Jeff Gearhart team up with Carolyn Welshhans, a partner at Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP, to unpack the real-world applications, regulatory risks, and emerging opportunities of AI.

In our kickoff episode, the panel explores how firms are already leveraging AI to drive compliance efficiency, manage operational workflows, and r...

In this episode of the Oyster Stew podcast, Oyster Consulting’s Ed Wegener and Bryan Jacobsen break down how firms can implement risk-based monitoring, tailor training for frontline roles, conduct effective investigations, and ensure your firm’s Suspicious Activity Report (SAR) filings are what regulators require.

Key Takeaways 

• What regulators expect from your AML compliance program
• Risk-based surveillance: Going...

Your CAT reporting compliance requires more than just data submission; you need comprehensive surveillance programs that include monitoring both exceptions and successful reports to maintain regulatory compliance.
 
 Listen to this week’s Oyster Stew podcast as Oyster experts Ralph Magee and Steve Kuhs share their expertise in CAT and CAIS reporting, providing you with the information you need to build an effe...

In this episode of the Oyster Stew podcast, regulatory compliance experts Ed Wegener, Candy Palugi, and Nolan Hughes examine the nuanced world of custody regulations and outline concrete steps firms should take when custody is discovered, including ADV amendments, engaging independent accountants for verification audits, and implementing enhanced supervision procedures.

For compliance professionals and advisory firm leaders, this co...

Join Oyster experts as they provide real-world insight into the shifting CAT and CAIS landscape, including:

• The current regulatory focus on removing PII information from CAIS reporting
• Implementation uncertainty - where FINRA guidance falls short
• Member firms grappling with the scope of PII removal at account and customer levels
• Blue sheets and CAIS - redundant reporting and integration challenges
• CAT reporting's critical role in ma...

Your clearing agreement is the backbone of your brokerage firm’s operations, yet many firms fail to review it until it’s too late. In this week’s episode, Oyster’s David Williams and Peter Sheehan break down why your clearing contract should be a top priority and what you should consider when evaluating your agreements.

You’ll learn:

·      Why your clearing agreement should be a priority

·...

In this episode of the Oyster Stew Podcast, Dan Garrett and Jay Donlin break down the critical—but often overlooked—factors that determine whether your technology investments will actually move the needle for your firm. From setting business-driven goals to avoiding the allure of flashy tools with limited value, they walk through practical insights that can save you time, money, and internal frustration.

What You’l...

Understanding and implementing the new FINCEN AML (anti-money laundering) requirements for registered investment advisors (RIAs) is crucial to achieving compliance by the 2026 deadline. Preparing for AML compliance as an RIA will take time. Firms must develop and implement risk-based AML programs, appoint compliance officers, establish monitoring systems, and ensure staff receive proper training—steps that require careful pla...

Unlock the secrets of navigating FINRA's complex enforcement landscape with former enforcement officials Lisa Colon and Chris Kelly, who now provide defense counsel to broker-dealers. Drawing on their rich experience at FINRA and current roles at CSG Law, Lisa and Chris share their perspectives on the current state of FINRA enforcement in the securities industry. We discuss the statistics of previous enforcement actions, the import...

In this episode of the Oyster Stew Podcast, our panel of financial services experts breaks down the key considerations for outsourcing critical functions, such as compliance, finance, and vendor selection. Whether you’re launching a new firm, looking to scale efficiently, or navigating complex regulatory landscapes, outsourcing services can provide cost-effective expertise and operational flexibility.

Our expert panel—Sa...

Building and maintaining strong relationships with regulators is not just beneficial, but essential. Join us for Part 2 as former regulators share their experience and insights into how to establish open, candid communication, and engage regulators on both professional and personal levels. Get tips on setting the right tone from leadership and fostering a culture of compliance.  Stay on the right side of compliance while culti...