FINRA’s Annuity Fines: The Reg BI Signal Firms Can’t Ignore

Blog
For the first time, FINRA put Annuities squarely in the regulatory spotlight. “Many of the recent FINRA enforcement actions involving sales-practice and supervisory failures have centered on variable annuities and exchange recommendations—a reflection of the increased scrutiny outlined in FINRA’s 2025 Oversight Report.” FINRA  In its 2025 Annual Regulatory Oversight Report, FINRA elevated annuities to a standalone focus area, sending [...] Read More

The Great Convergence: Bridging Wealth & Retirement

Events
Webinar | Feb 12, 2026, 1PM ET The convergence of wealth management and retirement planning is reshaping the financial services industry. As retirement plan advisors (RPAs) expand into wealth, and wealth managers target retirement assets, rollovers have emerged as the key battleground, representing a trillion dollars annually in addressable assets.  This seismic shift brings both opportunity and regulatory scrutiny. Growth focused [...] Read More

Navigating Regulatory Expectations Under CFRs

Events
Webinar | Jan 28, 2026, 1PM ET Bridging the Compliance Gap: Meeting Regulator Expectations Under CFRs  The CSA and CIRO have issued new guidance under Staff Notice 31-368, highlighting persistent compliance gaps in how firms are implementing the Client-Focused Reforms (CFRs) — particularly around Know Your Product (KYP) and the assessment of a Reasonable Range [...] Read More

Why PTE 2020-02 Remains in Effect

Blog

There has been confusion around the status of PTE 2020-02 due to the existence of two versions issued under different administrations. However, when the regulatory mechanics are properly understood, the conclusion is clear: PTE 2020-02 will remain in effect and required for rollover recommendations.  Two Versions of PTE 2020-02  Original PTE 2020-02 (Trump Administration, 2020): This exemption established the […]

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InvestorCOM Partners with Designed Wealth Management to Strengthen Advisor Compliance and Client Confidence

News

InvestorCOM is pleased to announce a new partnership with Designed Wealth Management, a Canada-based advisory firm recognized for its highly personalized approach to financial planning and its commitment to principled, client-first advice. Both organizations share a clear belief: when compliance is simple, data-driven, and integrated into everyday workflows, advisors deliver better outcomes with greater confidence. […]

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Regulatory Expectations Are Rising: Success Under CFR’s KYP and the Reasonable Range of Alternatives Requirements

Blog
On December 10, 2025, the Canadian Securities Administrators (CSA) and the Canadian Investment Regulatory Organization (CIRO) released the findings of their Phase 2 review of Client Focused Reforms (CFRs). This joint report focused on three core areas: Know Your Product (KYP), suitability determination, and the need to assess a “reasonable range of alternatives” when making [...] Read More

FINRA’s 2026 Oversight Report: Communication and Sales Practices

Blog

The 2026 FINRA Annual Regulatory Oversight Report offers insight into the focus areas for the year ahead. The report addresses critical compliance issues under Regulation Best Interest (Reg BI), Form CRS, and recommendations involving annuities, rollovers, and account types. The findings emphasize the need for firms to formalize how they assess costs, evaluate reasonably available alternatives, deliver disclosures, and retain proper […]

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2026 Compliance Checklist for Wealth, Retirement & Advisory Firms

Resources
Expect More. Prepare Smarter. Stay Ahead. As regulatory expectations intensify across wealth and retirement, firms are under pressure to demonstrate stronger oversight, clearer disclosures, and more consistent, data-driven decision-making. The 2026 Compliance Readiness Checklist distills emerging priorities from the SEC, DOL, FINRA, and industry conversations—helping compliance teams focus on what matters most. This practical guide [...] Read More

Navigating the SEC’s 2026 Examination Priorities: A Roadmap for Broker-Dealers and Investment Advisers

Blog

As the financial services industry braces for heightened supervisory scrutiny, the SEC’s Division of Examinations (“the Division”) released its Fiscal Year 2026 Examination Priorities, a clear signal of where attention will be focused.   Two themes stand out for retail facing firms:  Retail sales practices of broker-dealers (especially around account, product and rollover recommendations) and […]

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Product Pulse: Scaling Compliant Annuity Recommendations with PeerCompare Annuities

Blog
A Growing Market – and a Growing Responsibility A generation of retirees is redefining what it means to plan for income and stability. As demand for annuities and defined retirement outcomes continues to rise, so does regulatory attention on this complex and growing market. Advisors and firms are navigating evolving suitability, exchange, and best-interest requirements [...] Read More