Built To Scale with CRC-Oyster

Adapting your infrastructure while managing your firm's growth can present unique challenges. Join Oyster’s Ed Wegener, Brent Nicks and Pete McAteer as they share their insights for scaling and sustaining growth.  In this podcast you will:  ·         Gain firsthand insights into the complexities of rapid organic and inorganic expansion  ·         Examine the significance of understanding your...

 Join us as Oyster’s Jeff Wilk and Envestnet Chief Relationship Officer and Group Head of Wealth Solutions and Asset Management Distribution, Andrew Stavaridis, bring you an insider’s perspective on the industry's technology evolution, from outdated point solutions to cutting-edge platforms that are accessible, modular, and perfectly tailored for mid-sized to smaller firms.  CRC-Oyster: Compl...

In this episode of the Oyster Stew podcast, our experts, Dan Garrett and Jay Donlin , take you on a deep dive into the world of custodians. We'll explore everything from full-service solutions that handle your middle office needs to niche players specializing in FinTech and money management. Whether you're a breakaway advisor, a FinTech firm, or an established registered investment advis...

Embarking on the path to becoming an RIA is an exhilarating time filled with opportunities and challenges, and our experts are here to guide you every step of the way. In this episode, we'll delve into essential aspects of the registration process and compliance requirements.  By addressing these critical components, you'll set a solid foundation for your firm's success.  CRC-Oyster...

When starting a Registered Investment Advisor there are fundamental aspects you must understand before taking this step. Oyster's experts Brent Nicks, Nolan Hughes and Dan Garrett provide an overview into things you need to think through and put in place to build a solid foundation for your firm’s success: Establishing Key Positions Navigating Partnerships Risk Management and Compliance Opera...

May 2024 saw the implementation of two major industry projects: T+1 and go-live compliance for CAT/CAIS reporting. Experts Jeff Gearhart and Ralph Magee provide the latest updates on T+1 from industry meetings and key participants, including  Affirmation and fail rates,  margin balances,  securities lending  and his outlook for the future around T+1   Our experts also discuss what industry members...

If you are a start-up or an established wealth management firm, determining whether you want to manage your own operating platform or outsource it is an important strategic decision.  There are many factors to consider, from cost and available resources to integration and client experience.   In today’s podcast Oyster experts Dan Garrett and Jay Donlin share their expertise on what goes into estab...

In today’s podcast Oyster experts share their insights into what to think about as you prepare to register an alternative trading system, or ATS.  Jeff Gearhart and Lisa Robinson will discuss challenges and misconceptions, and then Lisa will take us through some highlights of the FINRA application process. We finish up with other things to consider once your ATS is up and running.  CRC-Oyster: Com...

After nearly a decade of delays, FINRA is finally enacting amendments to Rule 4210.  The new Covered Agency Transaction requirements became effective  May 22nd, 2024. Oyster’s Jeff Gearhart, Jose Fernandez and  Stephen Mellert,  co-founder of Matrix Application’s margin calculator, share their insights into what the new rule means for market makers, the capital implications, and the importance of...

In today’s our experts discuss an area where FINRA spends a lot of resources – Communications and Sales.  We’ll look at challenges our clients are facing and best practices when it comes to: ·       Communications with the Public and Advertising ·       Reg BI and its focus on the Care Obligation ·       Complex Products, from variable annuities to private placements CRC-Oyster: Compliance Risk Co...

Oyster experts Pete Bowman and Dan Garrett share their insights into what the broker-dealer community is facing when it comes to evolving platforms, changing business models, AI technology, firm acquisitions and the platform consolidations that happen afterward.  CRC-Oyster: Compliance Risk Concepts / Oyster Consulting

Oyster Consulting experts Casey Dougherty, Dan Garrett and Bryan Jacobsen discuss FINRA’s exploration of AI, supervisory obligations  with regard to outsourcing AI technology to firms, and best practices for maintaining compliance and protecting clients.  Learn more in our previous podcast, part 1 of the series, as our experts share their  insights on AI's impacts on Regulation Best Interest...

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...

 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&...

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...

 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 disc...

 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 rat...

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'...

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 En...

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...

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 CRC-Oyster: Compliance Risk Concept...

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.  CRC-Oyster: Compliance Risk Concepts / Oyster Consulting

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...

 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.  CRC-Oyster: Compliance Risk Concepts / Oyster Consulting

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 repor...