Approved IAR CE Courses

This month, we review 2 blog articles. The first article, A Proposed Salesperson's Exemption To The DoL's Retirement Security Rule?, the XY Planning Network Public Comment letter submitted to the Department of Labor regarding its proposed Retirement Security Rule, is shared with Nerd's Eye View readers. The ethical concerns of consumers not understanding if they are working with an advisor or a salesperson are discussed along with the regulatory history separating advice and sales. In FinCEN's New 2024 Requirement For State-Registered RIAs (And Other Small Businesses) To Report Beneficial Ownership Information (BOI), new reporting requirements proposed by the Corporate Transparency Act (CTA) are summarized, covering exemption businesses, reporting deadlines, necessary information, and penalties for non-compliance.

In this continuing education session, learners will review 2 Nerd's Eye View blog articles: Artificial Intelligence Compliance Considerations for Investment Advisers and The Third Anniversary of the Investment Adviser Marketing Rule: Compliance Tips and Key Takeaways from Three Years of SEC Enforcement. In the first article, Chris Stanley provides a comprehensive roadmap for integrating AI tools in ways that uphold an adviser's fiduciary obligations, while addressing current regulations governing data privacy, disclosure, recordkeeping, and client communications.In the second article, Isaac Mamaysky examines the real-world enforcement patterns and compliance challenges that have emerged since the rule took effect in 2022. Since the SEC's Marketing Rule went into effect in 2022, several enforcement trends have become clear. Through a review of SEC enforcement actions, this article highlights common pitfalls, including improper use of hypothetical performance, noncompliant testimonials and endorsements, and misleading third-party ratings.

This course examines the differences between brokerage accounts and advisory accounts, including their fee structures, services, and management styles. Because of the many differences in accounts, emphasis will be placed on the importance of providing investors with full and fair disclosure regarding any potential conflicts of interest. The course will also examine the provision of Reg BI and describe the ethical principles related to account recommendations, including prioritizing the best interests of clients over the incentives of financial firms and their associated persons.

This course presentation outlines the fundamentals and applications of structured notes in investment portfolios. It will be discussing types of income and downside protection strategies. The purpose is to educate financial advisors and investors on leveraging structured notes to diversify portfolios, generate income, and mitigate risks.

This course will examine investment funds, but more specifically, the focus is on actively managed exchange-traded funds (ETFs). In addition to learning about the strucuture of ETFs and investment objectives of actively managed ETFs, details will be provided as to how actively managed ETFs developed over history. The course's final sectione will review the specific parts of U.S. securities laws that apply to actively managed ETFs.

Understand the unique needs of retired individuals, the resources available to meet those needs, and planning techniques available to clients at various stages of life. This course considers life insurance, annuities, health insurance, and long-term care, and covers critical market conduct issues.

This course equips advisors with the knowledge, tools, and frameworks needed to navigate the intricate ethical dilemmas that arise in the profession. Designed to promote ethical excellence, this course explores the principles of fiduciary duty, advanced reasoning techniques, and the nuances of maintaining trust in client relationships. Participants will be presented with real-world scenarios, case studies, and emerging challenges, such as navigating gray areas in regulatory guidance, managing conflicts of interest, and balancing personalized financial planning with fiduciary responsibilities. The course also emphasizes the importance of ethical leadership, organizational culture, and continuous professional growth, providing actionable strategies for fostering a client-first approach and addressing unconscious bias.

In this continuing education session, learners will review 3 Nerd's Eye View blog articles: 'How Much Does Having The 'Right' Capital Market Assumptions Matter In Retirement Planning?', 'How RIAs Can Craft An Effective Operating Agreement That Aligns Owners' Interests And Mitigates Risks', 'Why Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) Aren't Always Worth The 'Triple Tax Savings' Advantage'. In the first article, Justin Fitzpatrick, Ph.D., CFP, CFA, evaluates the impact of accurate and precise Capital Market Assumptions (CMAs) on the ability to advise clients on how much they can withdraw in retirement and other factors that could impact the ideal level of retirement spending a client engages in. In the second article, Richard Chen explains the importance of thoughtfully crafting RIA operating agreements with both current and future business need in mind. In the third article, Ben Dobler explains the personal and financial circumstances that may make High Deductible Health Plans (HDHP) and their associated Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) less beneficial to a client than other health care insurance options.