A year of change, challenge … and opportunity
Changing landscapes mean uncertainty, but also new paths for those best able to adapt
The financial services industry is being transformed thanks to rapidly shifting political and economic landscapes, which are also prompting regulatory bodies across the globe to rethink their approaches to financial oversight.
Against this backdrop, regulated entities and their compliance and legal teams must decide what to prioritize and which direction to proceed in.
Businesses should recognize that some of their most valuable employees are those with compliance oversight experience; they are best equipped to respond to regulatory change, mindful of the plethora of risks and consequences (ranging from the regulatory to the financial and the reputational), and well positioned to really help when it comes to changing business approaches.
In the context of collaboration across business departments and partnering with financial technology providers, the uncertain terrain becomes a chance to revisit (and perhaps re-emphasize) what the company considers most important to its compliance program and culture. The company’s ability to create effective business strategies with those abiding principles in mind are going to be critical for the rest of the year and beyond.
At the 2025 FINRA annual conference all these themes intersect. They are the bread and butter conversation topics that are a great starting point for beginning to deal with such dramatic shifts – because everything stays the same just as much as it all changes.
In order to be successful in the current environment, businesses must continue to keep their eyes firmly on some perennial agenda items identified by FINRA as trending in advance of its flagship event – cybersecurity, third-party risk management, communication supervision, business continuity planning, fraud detection and mitigation and Reg BI/fiduciary duty – but must also track closely how the more dynamic areas are changing (AI governance, digital asset regulation, FCPA enforcement, etc).
Our recommended articles below are meant to highlight some of these core areas of compliance focus – and especially those most subject to swiftly evolving regulations, laws and approaches.
Needless to say, here at GRIP, we always welcome your views and comments. And it is my sincere hope that I get a chance to connect and speak with you at this important conference.
My best wishes,
Julie DiMauro
US Content Manager
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Hacker exploits TeleMessage vulnerability – cybersecurity in the spotlight
A vulnerability in TeleMessage was reportedly exploited to extract archived messages and other data relating to US government officials and companies.
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Inside the SEC’s third crypto roundtable
The SEC’s third roundtable on crypto regulation highlighted growing consensus on investor protection, but also exposed deep divisions over custody frameworks and the role of self-custody in an evolving market.
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SEC Exams in 2025: A practical playbook for private fund advisers
SEC exams are likely to stay just as rigorous, if not become even more detail-oriented.
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Citadel Securities gives SEC a wish list for rule changes, more clarity
Citadel Securities released a white paper laying out policy recommendations for the SEC and exchanges it regulates.
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FINRA disciplinary action update 2025/15
Disciplinary decisions issued April 19 – 25, 2025.
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Global corporate CISOs urge world governments to harmonize cyber rules
The letter urges governments to use high-level forums to “focus on greater alignment of cybersecurity regulations.”
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When AI’s conclusions conflict with human values, how should we react?
Sarah Hammer’s paper on Navigating the Neural Network addresses important questions about how we manage AI.
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Law enforcement opposes rollback of beneficial ownership reporting
As federal rules ease, state and local authorities seek new tools to combat financial crime.
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FINRA launches three FINRA Forward initiatives to add efficiency
Initiatives aim to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of supervision.
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SEC approves the first US green stock exchange
The first sustainability-focused US stock exchange targets a 2026 launch.
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FINRA seeks public comment on the operations of modern workplaces
FINRA identified the modern workplace as an initial area of focus for its latest review, asking for specific comments from member firms.
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Attorneys Kudman and Posner on strategies to detect and deter healthcare fraud
We discussed improper marketing strategies, upcoding and billing issues, defense strategies for fraud cases with Tama Kudman and Barry Posner.
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16 firms rebuffed by SEC in bid to revisit off-channel comms settlements
SEC says ‘no-can-do to’ the 16 financial firms that submitted a motion to have their recordkeeping settlements modified.
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Assessing the role, value and cost of compliance monitors
Compliance monitorships are costly and burdensome, and sometimes an effective way to achieve critical business objectives.
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SEC’s first AI roundtable event targets both innovation and risk
Experts from financial services firms, academic institutions and regulatory agencies discussed developments in AI, and potential benefits and risks.
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FINRA fines Robinhood $26m for over a dozen rules violations
Among other things, FINRA alleged that Robinhood failed to establish adequate anti-money-laundering programs or reasonably supervise and retain certain communications.
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Your essential guide to the dos and don’ts of Form ADV
Practical tips and advice for compliance officers on how to approach this annual filing with the SEC.
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Third-party risk a key addition to FINRA’s 2025 Regulatory Oversight Report
Annual report includes new section on third-party supplier risk landscape, including emerging regulatory concern about AI use within firms and by third-parties.
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FINRA releases 2025 Regulatory Oversight Report
Compliance trends, emerging risk areas and best practices pointers are highlighted.