In a significant development, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), through its Division of Examinations, has unveiled its 2025 examination priorities. These priorities, designed for registered investment advisers, investment companies, and broker-dealers, reflect a comprehensive focus on areas such as private fund advisers, Regulation Best Interest (Reg BI) compliance, and cybersecurity. The backdrop of a changing presidential administration adds a layer of complexity, though the SEC is known for maintaining continuity in its enforcement areas.

Investment Advisers

The Division will prioritize examinations for investment advisers who have not previously been examined, with a strong emphasis on fiduciary standards, compliance programs, and private fund advisers. The focus will extend to reviewing investment advice, compliance programs, and ensuring transparency and disclosure in conflicts of interest, particularly in complex and high-cost products.

Fiduciary Duties

The Division remains focused on investment advisers’ adherence to fiduciary standards of conduct in 2025. As fiduciaries, advisers owe duties of care and loyalty to their clients. This means advisers must act in the best interests of their clients at all times, and they must eliminate or make full and fair disclosure of all conflicts of interest that have the potential to impact an advisers’ ability to render disinterested advice.

Broker-Dealers

Broker-dealers will be under scrutiny for their compliance with Regulation Best Interest and Form CRS obligations. Examinations will assess the soundness of investment recommendations and the adequacy of disclosure practices. Other emphasized areas include financial responsibility and trading-related practices.

Regulation Best Interest

With respect to broker-dealers, the Division will continue to examine broker-dealer practices related to Reg BI, which establishes the standard of conduct broker-dealers must follow when recommending securities transactions or strategies to clients.

Risk Areas

Key risk areas identified for 2025 include cybersecurity, financial technologies, and crypto assets. The Division stresses the importance of robust cybersecurity measures, compliance with recent regulatory amendments, and the responsible integration of financial technologies like AI in investment tools and advisory services.

By maintaining focus on these crucial areas, the Division aims to safeguard investors and ensure the stability and integrity of the financial markets. For more detailed insights, you can refer to the original article by Eric Mikkelson and Carissa Occhipinto on Stinson LLP’s website.