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Breaking up doesn’t have to be hard to do

Three steps to reduce the risk and pain of advisor partnership breakups

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Breaking up is hard to do, Part 1

Risks when partnering with other financial advisors

Stormy waters

Don’t go down with your client’s ship

Use these three steps to deal with clients who insist on unsuitable investments

confusion

No note-taking requirements in CFRs? Think again!

The rules are in code. Here’s how to crack the code

To protect yourself and clients, rethink trusted contacts

Why clients need to name different people as PoA and TCP

Dispute at desk

Do your notes pass the sniff test?

Here are three steps to prove suitability

A perfect storm lies ahead for advisors and dealers

Mitigate your risk amid potential enforcement delays, CFR audits

Thinking of leaving your dealer? Here’s what to consider

Protect your business, reputation and clients by knowing your rights and obligations

Key legal and regulatory issues to heed

Follow these tips to protect your licence and reputation

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Pass compliance audits and win credibility with the 5Cs

Protect yourself by creating a robust client communication trail

old way, new way

More tough love for advisors

No matter where you are in your career, compliance requirements are a must

Set your client-advisor relationships up for success

Teach clients to meet you halfway — here’s how

advisor client meeting

Questions to assess the best kept secret about KYC

Advisors must show that clients understood an investment and its risks

Best kept secret about KYC

Advisors ignore this important know-your-client item to their detriment

Big fat questions to get clients talking

Fulfil your KYC obligations without infringing on client privacy

Getting out of Dodge is not the answer

Advisors who leave the industry to avoid investigations and hearings suffer more severe penalties

Blueberry-topped cake

Serving fewer clients can lead to a big payoff

Focus on a target market and meet your regulatory obligations

business growth

Grow your business using the CFRs

Stressed about the client-focused reforms? Try this different approach

“But that’s what the client wanted”

Don’t fall for clients’ demands for unsuitable investments

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Regulatory settlement? Inform yourself!

Understand how a settlement can unexpectedly affect you

Why care about changes to regulations?

Three questions to ask to protect yourself and your business

compliance

How to avoid becoming an enforcement statistic

Regulators measure their success based in part on how many enforcement matters they open and prosecute

You can’t be a walking rulebook

A step-by-step guide to navigating the mountain of rules you must follow to protect your licence, reputation and livelihood 

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Don’t let client preferences come before your legal obligations

Clients may prefer communicating by text, but texting clients comes with risks

Video: Think small to feel better

Ellen Bessner returns with one last Positive Note for 2020