Compliance & Ethics

Frankfurt Chosen as Host for EU Anti-Money Laundering Authority

Frankfurt has been selected as the headquarters for the European Union's Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism Authority (AMLA). The decision was made through a joint vote on Thursday by Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) and EU ambassadors.

JPMorgan to Pay $350 Million Penalty Over Trade Reporting Gaps

In a regulatory filing on Friday, JPMorgan Chase and Co disclosed that it will pay approximately $350 million in civil penalties to resolve issues related to incomplete trading data reported to surveillance platforms. The penalties come in response to government inquiries into the bank's trading processes.

FINRA Levies $1.6 Million Fine Against Morgan Stanley for Municipal Securities Violations

The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) has imposed a $1.6 million fine on Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC for recurrent lapses in timely handling failed inter-dealer municipal securities transactions and addressing municipal security positions held short for more than 30 calendar days, alongside related supervisory failures. This marks the first disciplinary action where FINRA has charged a firm with violating the close-out requirements of the Municipal Securities Rulemaking Board (MSRB) Rule G-12(h) and associated supervisory shortcomings.

OCC Unleashes Regulatory Crackdown: Enforcement Actions Unveiled for February 2024

The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) has unleashed a series of enforcement actions, shaking the financial landscape with penalties and prohibitions aimed at ensuring accountability within national banks and federal savings associations. This February's actions expose systemic deficiencies and lapses in compliance, reflecting the OCC's commitment to safeguarding the integrity of the financial system.

FCA Imposes Ban and Fines Former London Capital & Finance Compliance Head Over Financial Promotions

The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has taken decisive action against Floris Jakobus Huisamen, a key figure at London Capital & Finance plc (LCF), by imposing a ban and substantial fines for his role in the misleading financial promotions of minibonds targeted at retail investors.

FinCEN Proposes Rule to Combat Illicit Finance and AML in Investment Adviser Sector

The U.S. Department of the Treasury's Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) has unveiled a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) targeting the investment adviser sector. The proposed rule, specifically emphasizing Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) measures, aims to fortify the U.S. financial system against exploitation by criminals and foreign adversaries.

FINRA Fines TradeStation Securities for AML Program Failures

TradeStation Securities, Inc., a long-standing FINRA member, finds itself in the regulatory spotlight once again as the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) issues a Letter of Acceptance, Waiver, and Consent (AWC) detailing alleged rule violations. TradeStation Securities, headquartered in Plantation, Florida, with four branch offices and approximately 150 registered representatives, is known for providing online trading platforms to self-directed retail and institutional customers.