This course comprehensively examines social media ethics and compliance for state-registered investment adviser representatives. The course begins by exploring the transformation of client communication in the digital age and the strategic value of social media in modern advisory practices. Following the introduction, the course examines the regulatory framework governing social media use, including the Marketing Rule's application to state-registered advisers and the pivotal Netflix case study illustrating Regulation Fair Disclosure requirements. The course then delves into compliance obligations, covering recordkeeping requirements, Write Once, Read Many (WORM) protocols, and managing third-party content. Practical implementation strategies include platform selection, content development, and risk management procedures. The course examines data privacy and security requirements, particularly Regulation S-P. Special attention is given to the emerging role of financial influencers ("finfluencers") and the regulatory challenges they present. Detailed case studies demonstrate successful implementation strategies and enforcement actions.
This course examines AI-washing risks and compliance strategies for state-registered IARs. It defines AI-washing and distinguishes legitimate AI from misrepresentations, tracing how technology and marketing claims have evolved in financial services. The regulatory section analyzes how existing securities laws apply to AI-washing through antifraud provisions, fiduciary duties, marketing rules, and recordkeeping requirements. The course explores high-risk areas including marketing materials, Form ADV disclosures, client communications, and investment due diligence, with practical guidance on documentation standards and review processes. Real-world enforcement cases illustrate regulatory approaches and consequences. A strategic framework addresses dual challenges: preventing misrepresentation in firm communications while conducting appropriate due diligence on AI claims in investment opportunities. Finally, the course concludes with an 'AI terminology guide,' defining the most common terms and clearly explaining the technology's current capabilities and limitations.
This course is about the new world of environment, social and governance (ESG) investing. The course begins with a short history of the ESG movement, including the role that international and domestic governing bodies have played in jumpstarting ESG investing. The different types of ESG ratings are compared and explained. Additionally, the course describes the kinds of ESG securities offered, as well as ways to choose an ESG portfolio which aligns with an investor's values. Finally, the course lays out the potential risks and benefits of ESG funds and common ESG investmentphilosophies, such as impact investing and sustainable investing.
This course is about business continuity planning. Additionally, this course investigates theorigins of business continuity planning and the historical events that helped shape business continuity planning. It then uses these events as a lens to understand better the importance of having a business continuity plan (BCP) and the regulations relevant to BCPs. Additionally, this course covers regulatory guidance relevant to creating a business continuity plan (BCP). Finally, it describes the process of succession planning and why it is important to business continuity planning.
Completing continuing education is both a professional responsibility and an ethical imperative for investment adviser representatives. This course helps IARs understand why continuing education requirements exist, why it is an ethical obligation to remain up-to-date on industry knowledge, and how the system of continuing education laid out in the Model Rule on Continuing Education for Investment Adviser Representatives provides a framework for fulfilling this obligation. This coursealso covers the expectations for IAs and IARs regarding compliance and recordkeeping, statevariations in continuing education requirements, and how engaging constructively with continuingeducation benefits clients.