Five years into the best interest journey, enforcement activity is picking up and shedding much needed light on the regulatory expectations across the investment advisory and broker dealer arena. The latest wave of fines and sanctions around account type recommendations and clone ETFs highlight the growing pressure on wealth firms and professionals to consider the evolution of their practice and strategic next steps. With the regulatory expectations becoming clearer, compliance has an opportunity to take advantage of this inflection point to protect the firm’s reputation and grow the practice.

Watch industry leaders dissect the regulatory landscape and discuss actionable strategies to mitigate risks.

Get webinar slideshow and case summaries: 

Why You Should Watch

With FINRA and the SEC intensifying their enforcement efforts, financial firms and professionals must act now to implement stronger compliance frameworks. This webinar provides actionable insights to help compliance officers, advisors, and executives navigate the challenges of Reg BI enforcement, avoid costly penalties, and safeguard their business. 

Discussion Points 

• Who is at Risk?
  Understand the latest enforcement trends and pinpoint firms, advisors, and products that are most vulnerable to regulatory scrutiny. 
• Regulators’ Focus: Account Type, Clone ETFs & Reasonably Available Alternatives
  Unpack key enforcement cases and learn how firms are being penalized for improper account-type recommendations, the use of clone ETFs, and failure to consider reasonably available alternatives under Reg BI. 
• How Firms Can Stay Ahead of Regulators
  Discover proactive compliance strategies, risk mitigation tactics, and documentation best practices to ensure your firm is protected. 
• Leveraging Technology to Reduce Compliance Burden
  Explore how compliance platforms can help firms detect risks, document decision-making, and ensure adherence to evolving regulations. 
• How Software Can Adapt to Changing Policies
  Regulatory shifts are inevitable. Learn how compliance platforms offer real-time monitoring and agility to help firms stay ahead of enforcement actions. 

Issa Hanna, Partner, Eversheds Sutherland

Erin Preston, Chief Compliance Officer, Wedbush Securities

Erin Preston is the chief compliance officer for Wedbush Securities, a full-service broker-dealer and registered investment adviser. She has also served as the firm’s anti-money laundering (AML) compliance officer and currently has oversight of the firm’s AML program. With over 17 years’ experience as a legal and compliance professional, Preston has held various senior level compliance roles on the sell-side and buy-side, responsible for transforming and enhancing compliance programs. She earned a B.A. in international relations and affairs from The Ohio State University and a J.D. from the Elisabeth Haub School of Law at Pace University.

Armin Sarabi, Managing Director, Bates Group

Armin Sarabi works with the Bates Group leadership to evaluate and optimize compliance program structures and risk management systems, bringing in his extensive experience in regulatory compliance, enforcement defense, risk management, and business strategy within the financial services industry.

Before joining Bates, Armin served as Chief Compliance Officer and General Counsel for multiple SEC-registered investment advisers. Throughout his career, he has also provided counsel to a range of financial industry firms and individuals on various matters. He is a member of the National Society of Compliance Professionals and the Investment Adviser Association and has served as an Adjunct Professor of Law at the University of Denver’s Sturm College of Law, where he taught Contract Drafting and Business Negotiations.

Parham Nasseri, President, InvestorCOM

Parham Nasseri has spent his career translating complex regulatory requirements into technology solutions that improve investor and advisor outcomes. He has over 15 years of regulatory and wealth management experience, including senior roles in regulatory analytics, digital transformation, and investment analytics.

Parham currently serves as Vice President, Product & Regulatory Strategy at InvestorCOM, a leading software solutions provider for the financial services industry. He serves on several advisory boards including Ontario Securities Commission’s Investor Advisory Panel, CFA Societies’ Canadian Advocacy Council, The Canadian RegTech Association, and Junior Achievements of Central Ontario. He is also the host of the Wealth Compliance Leaders series.