FINRA Lawyer Blog
On September 19, 2022, the SEC’s Division of Examination issued a Risk Alert concerning the new investment adviser marketing rule, Advisors Act Rule 206(4)-1 (“the Marketing Rule”). In connection with the Marketing Rule, the Commission also amended the Books and Records Rule, Advisors Act Rule 204-2 and the Form ADV. The Marketing Rule became effective on May 4, 2021 but firms were given an 18-month transition period. Thus, firms must be compliant with the Marketing Rule by November 4, 2022.
According to the Staff’s announcement, examinations will focus on four areas: a) Policies and Procedures, b) the Substantiation Requirement, c) Performance Advertising Requirements, and d) Books and Records
With regard to policies and procedures, the Commission’s noted that the Marketing Rule Adopting Release, stated that firms must adopt procedures that, “include objective and testable means” of preventing violations of the Marketing Rule. Examples of such means are: