Retail investor issues, such as investing costs and conflicts of interest, will be among the top targets of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission’s (SEC’s) compliance examiners in the year ahead.
The SEC’s Office of Compliance Inspections and Examinations announced its compliance exam priorities on Tuesday, highlighting its continued focus on retail investors.
In particular, the SEC said its exams will review the disclosure of fees and expenses, industry conflicts and the provision of online advice.
Other top issues include cybersecurity, anti-money laundering and the resilience of market infrastructure (such as exchanges, clearing agencies and alternative trading systems).
“As markets evolve, so do risks and potential harm to investors,” said Pete Driscoll, director of the SEC’s compliance division.
The SEC also said that its reviews of registered investment advisors will focus on firms that have never been examined.