Core Compliance & Legal Services, Inc.

10/23/2026

📢 SEC Announces 2027 Examination Priorities

The SEC’s Division of Examinations has released its Fiscal Year 2027 Examination Priorities, highlighting areas that may receive increased attention in the year ahead.

Key focus areas include investment adviser fiduciary duties and compliance programs, private funds and private credit, cybersecurity and data protection, emerging technologies, and broker-dealer supervision and anti-money laundering compliance.

Although these priorities do not encompass every area examiners may review, they offer important insight into the SEC’s current risk-based examination approach.

Now is a good time for firms to evaluate their compliance programs, revisit policies and procedures, and identify areas that may need additional attention.

📄 Read the full announcement and FY 2027 priorities: https://hubs.li/Q04C8k390

10/20/2026

📋 Is your firm's compliance program ready for year-end?

As we near the end of 2026, now is an ideal time for investment advisers to review their policies and procedures, reassess risks, confirm disclosures and filings are current, and identify areas that need attention before entering 2027.

Our latest article, 2026 Year-End Compliance Considerations for Investment Advisers, covers 17 key areas to help your firm prepare for the year ahead—from cybersecurity and AI to marketing, fiduciary obligations, regulatory filings, and SEC examination readiness.

Start your year-end review with a clear plan and greater confidence in your compliance program.

👉 Read the full checklist: https://hubs.li/Q04BLMt10

To help investment advisers take a holistic look at their compliance programs, identify any remaining year-end tasks, and prepare for 2027, we’ve put together a high-level checklist. Throughout this guide, you’ll find reminders and areas to double-check before year-end to help ensure your firm.....

10/14/2026

📢 SEC Proposes Updates to Registered Fund Cross-Trading Rules

The SEC has proposed amendments to Rule 17a-7 under the Investment Company Act of 1940 that could expand cross-trading opportunities for registered funds.

The proposal would restore the ability to cross trade most fixed-income securities, modernize pricing and oversight requirements, and introduce aggregated reporting to increase transparency.

The goal? Help registered funds reduce trading costs while maintaining important investor protections.

🔗 Read the full SEC announcement: https://hubs.li/Q04B49kH0

10/06/2026

New SEC Exam Handbook Provides Roadmap for Examination Process

The SEC’s Division of Examinations has released a new SEC Exam Handbook: A Practical Guide on Process and Engagement, giving registrants more insight into what to expect during an SEC examination.

The handbook walks through the examination process—from risk assessment through the disposition letter—and includes practical tips, helpful resources, and information on how registrants can ask questions and provide feedback.

According to the SEC, the goal is to make the examination process more consistent, transparent, accessible, and predictable.

For investment advisers, this is a helpful resource to keep on hand as part of ongoing exam preparedness.

📌 Read the handbook here: https://hubs.li/Q04zkYlg0

09/15/2026

📋 SEC Risk Alert: What Does a Meaningful Annual Compliance Review Look Like?

The SEC’s Division of Examinations recently shared observations from investment adviser examinations focused on annual compliance reviews.

The takeaway? An annual review should be more than checking a box.

SEC staff identified deficiencies involving missed or untimely reviews, incomplete review procedures, failure to follow written procedures, policies that didn’t reflect actual business practices, inadequate documentation, and corrective actions that were identified but never implemented.

A strong annual review should help identify and address compliance gaps before they become examination findings.

See the full SEC Risk Alert to learn more: https://hubs.li/Q04xBMmb0

09/11/2026

Retirement account rollovers remain an important area of focus for both the SEC and DOL.

But what does that mean for investment advisers?

In our latest article, “Retirement Rollovers: Understanding PTE 2020-02 and SEC Expectations,” Compliance Consultant Apryl Thompson breaks down the key compliance considerations, including when PTE 2020-02 may apply, what should be included in a rollover analysis, and why thorough, client-specific documentation is so important.

Advisers should be prepared to demonstrate not only that a rollover was recommended, but why the recommendation was in the client's best interest — including consideration of fees, investment options, services, account features, and other relevant factors.

Read the full article for practical best practices to help strengthen your firm's rollover compliance process. https://hubs.li/Q04xhp2P0

Compliance Consultant Apryl Thompson discusses PTE 2020-02 and gives helpful tips for meeting the SEC's expectations.

09/03/2026

📢 SEC Proposes Rescission of Investment Adviser “Pay-to-Play” Rule

The SEC has proposed rescinding Advisers Act Rule 206(4)-5, commonly known as the “pay-to-play” rule.

The rule currently restricts investment advisers from providing compensated advisory services to certain government clients for two years after specified political contributions and includes related recordkeeping requirements.

The SEC cited operational challenges and unintended consequences associated with the rule, including significant consequences for small donations.

Other Advisers Act obligations—including fiduciary duties, anti-fraud provisions, the compliance rule, and code of ethics requirements—would continue to apply.

The public comment period will remain open for 60 days after the proposal is published in the Federal Register.

Head to the full SEC Press Release to learn more: https://hubs.li/Q04wFHzR0

08/14/2026

Is your firm’s suitability process truly defensible?

Suitability goes beyond completing a client questionnaire. Advisers need to understand their clients, understand the investments they recommend, and document the reasoning behind their recommendations.

Our latest Risk Management Update explores two key pillars of a strong suitability process:
🔹 Know Your Client
🔹 Know Your Investment

A recent SEC enforcement action highlights why having a thoughtful, well-documented process matters.

Read Part 1 of “A Practical Guide to Building a Defensible Suitability Process” to learn more.

https://hubs.li/Q04t39p20

07/29/2026

We're excited to welcome Sr. Compliance Consultant Haley Hammond to the Core Compliance team!

With more than 20 years of experience in investment adviser compliance, operations, and regulatory oversight, Haley has helped firms build strong compliance programs, successfully navigate SEC examinations, and implement practical compliance solutions that support business growth.

Haley's deep expertise and hands-on approach make her a tremendous addition to our team, and we're thrilled to have her supporting our clients.

Learn more about Haley: https://hubs.li/Q04pQF510

Haley Hammond is a Senior Compliance Consultant at Core Compliance with 20+ years in the compliance space.

07/21/2026

SEC Proposes New Regulation E-Delivery Framework

The SEC has proposed Regulation E-Delivery, which would allow electronic delivery to become the default method for providing many required regulatory documents to investors while preserving the option to receive paper copies upon request.

The proposal would cover a wide range of disclosures, including Form ADV Part 2 Brochures, Form CRS, prospectuses, shareholder reports, proxy statements, and trade confirmations.

For investors currently receiving paper documents, the SEC's proposal includes a transition process with two paper notices before any switch to electronic delivery, along with the opportunity to opt out.

If adopted, the rule would modernize investor communications, improve access to important information, and reduce paper, printing, and mailing costs.

The SEC is accepting public comments for 60 days following publication in the Federal Register.

Learn more: https://hubs.li/Q04pQsng0