Industry Associations

American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA)

www.aicpa.org
888-777-7077
Promotes community, competence and communication among CPA financial planners; raises awareness of the value of the AICPA’s Personal Financial Specialist (PFS) credential.

Bank Insurance & Securities Association (BISA)

www.bisanet.org
202-367-1111
Nation’s leading trade association dedicated to serving the needs of those responsible for marketing securities, insurance and other investment products through commercial banks, trust companies, savings institutions, and credit unions. The membership includes financial institutions of all sizes, their broker / dealer and mutual fund subsidiaries, and firms providing products and / or services to support these operations.

CFA Institute

www.cfainstitute.org
800-247-8132
Administers CFA and CIPM programs; promotes the highest ethical standards; offers a range of educational opportunities online and around the world.

Fee Advisors Network

www.feeadvisorsnetwork.com
888-854-0931
Provides awareness of fiduciary standard protocol for life insurance and annuity analysis and design work; increases awareness of fiduciary standards for risk management (life insurance and annuities). Works on creation of products that provide full disclosure for fee-engagement advisors; provides fiduciary certification of process and life insurance and annuity products.

Financial Advisors Legal Association

www.falegal.com
303-597-1987
Risk mitigation resource for registered reps and advisors in the industry.

Financial Planning Association (FPA)

www.fpanet.org
800-322-4237
Pursues proactive advocacy in response to regulatory/legislative actions affecting financial planning and financial services from new administration. Also revamps and enhances related technology initiatives. Focuses on education and outreach to potential consumers of financial planning; strengthens capabilities to support professional members’ capabilities in business development and practice management.

Financial Services Institute, Inc. (FSI)

www.financialservices.org
888-373-1840
Aims to affect the regulatory restructuring debate for the benefit of middle-class investors and preserve the ability of independent B/D’s to classify their registered reps as independent contractors. Top priorities for the group over the next five years: For all individuals to have access to competent and affordable financial advice, products and services delivered by a growing network of independent financial advisors affiliated with independent financial service firms.

Futures Industry Association (FIA)

www.futuresindustry.org
202-466-5640

International Association of Registered Financial Consultants (IARFC)

www.iarfc.org
800-532-9060
Diversifies the financial planning process course into three delivery modes:  accelerated, modular, and web-enabled distance learning. Top priority for the group over the next five years: Increase enrollment in our financial planning process courses.

International Swaps & Derivatives Association (ISDA)

www.isda.org
212-901-6000
Works to make the over-the-counter (OTC) derivatives market safe & efficient.  It seeks to reduce counter party credit risk,increase transparency and improve the industry’s operational infrastructure.

Investment Adviser Association (IAA)

www.investmentadviser.org
202-293-4222
Leads opposition to the Treasury Department’s recommendations to establish a self-regulatory organization (particularly FINRA) for investment advisors;  to provide other advocacy, compliance, and educational services to our membership.

Investment Company Institute

www.ici.org
202-326-5800
National association of U.S. investment companies, including mutual funds, exchange-traded funds and unit investment trusts.

Investment Management Consultants Association (IMCA)

www.imca.org
303-770-3377
Aims to establish, enhance, and expand the CIMA and CPWA certifications;  ensure that IMCA continues to offer advanced educational opportunities as the membership organization for investment and wealth management professionals. Working to attain third-party accreditation of the CIMA and CPWA certification programs, and to deliver premier educational offerings that are on the forefront of investment and wealth management trends and strategies.

Million Dollar Round Table (MDRT )

www.mdrt.org
847-692-6378
Serves the industry by ensuring the next generation is ready to provide excellent client service, demonstrate exceptional professional knowledge and uphold strict ethical conduct.

National Association of Active Investment Managers (NAAIM)

www.naaim.org
888-261-0787
Raises industry awareness on the benefits of active and alternative investment management techniques.

National Association of Independent Brokers/Dealers (NAIBD)

www.naibd.org
888-646-2423
Provides an advocacy voice regarding proposed rule changes and industry representation on SRO boards and committees; provides timely and meaningful information via e-mail communications, press releases, webinars, member calls and in person meetings/events. Top priorities for the group over the next five years: To continue to positively impact rules, regulations, and legislation by facilitating consistent, productive relationships between industry professionals and regulatory organizations and providing education and member benefits for B/Ds.

National Association of Personal Financial Advisors (NAPFA)

www.napfa.org
800-366-2732

New York Society of Security Analysts (NYSSA)

www.nyssa.org
212-541-4530
Dedicated to the promotion of best practices and the highest professional and ethical standards in the investment industry.

North American Securities Administrators Association (NASAA)

www.nasaa.org
212-541-4530
Voice of state securities agencies responsible for efficient capital formation and grass roots investor protection. Members license firms and their agents, investigate violations of state and provincial law, file enforcement actions when appropriate, and educates the public about investment fraud.

Options Industry Council (OIC)

www.888options.com
312-463-6193
Educates investors and their financial advisors about the benefits and risks of exchange-traded equity options.

Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association (SIFMA)

www.sifma.org
212-313-1200  (NY Office)
202-962-7300  (DC Office)
Brings together the shared interests of hundreds of securities firms, banks and asset managers. Together the industry employs almost 800,000 people nation-wide and these individuals are engaged in communities across the country to raise capital for businesses, promote job creation and lead economic growth.

Society of Corporate Secretaries & Governance Professionals

www.governanceprofessionals.org
212.681.2000
Members represent public, private and non-profit organizations, and are responsible for supporting their boards of directors and executive management in governance matters; managing SEC, stock exchange and state corporate law compliance; facilitating shareholder communications on governance, and shareholder engagement; handling annual meetings; maintaining subsidiaries; and more.

The Financial Services Roundtable

www.fsround.org
Protects and promotes the economic vitality and integrity of its members and the United States financial system.

The National Society of Compliance Professionals

www.nscp.org
860-672-0843
Yearly in the fall NSCP holds a three day annual meeting on the east coast. NSCP also holds 5 regional meetings of one day duration throughout the US and one membership meeting in Canada.

Regulatory Agencies

Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC)

www.cftc.gov
202-418-5000
Independent agency of the U.S. government that regulates the futures and option markets.  It regulates and enforces the Commodity Exchange Act and other rules that prohibit fraudulent conduct in the trading of futures contacts. The CFTC’s mission is to protect market users and the public from fraud, manipulation, abusive practices and systemic risk related to derivative that are subject to the Commodity Exchange Act, and to foster open, competitive, and financially sound markets.

Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) – Dept. of Treasury

www.FinCEN.gov
703-905-3591
Enhances U.S.national security, deters & detects criminal activity, and safeguards financial systems from abuse by promoting transparency in the U.S. and international financial systems.

Financial Industry Regulatory Authority

www.finra.org
301-590-6500
Largest independent regulator for all securities firms doing business in the U.S., overseeing nearly 4535 brokerage firms and 163,620 branch offices and 631, 640 registered securities representatives. Their chief role is to protect investors by maintaining the fairness of the United States capital markets.

Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB)

www.fasb.org
203-847-0700
Since 1973, the designated organization in the private sector for establishing standards of financial accounting that govern the preparation of financial reports by nongovernmental entities. Those standards are officially recognized as authoritative by the SEC and the AICPA. Such standards are important to the efficient functioning of the economy because decisions about the allocation of resources rely heavily on credible, concise, and understandable financial information.

Investment Advisor Registration Depository (IARD)

www.iard.com
Electronic filing system for Investment Advisers sponsored by the SEC and North American Securities Administrators Association (NASAA), with FINRA serving as the developer and operator of the system. The IARD system collects and maintains the registration and disclosure information for Investment Advisers and their associated persons.

Municipal Securities Rule Making Board (MSRB)

www.msrb.org
703-797-6600
Protects investors, municipal entities and the public interest.  MSRB maintains rules and operates market transparency systems to protect investors, issuers of municipal securities and entities whose credit stands behind municipal securities, and public pension plans.

National Futures Association (NFA)

www.nfa.futures.org
312-781-1300  (Chi. HQ)
212-608-8660  (NY Office)
Independent industry wide, self-regulatory organization for the U.S. futures industry, developing rules, programs and services that safeguard market integrity, protect investors and helping members meet their regulatory responsibilities.

Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (PCAOB)

www.pcaobus.com
202-207-9100  (DC HQ)
646-437-5100  (NY Office)
Nonprofit corporation established by Congress to oversee the audits of public companies in order to protect the interests of investors and further the public interest in the preparation of informative, accurate and independent audit reports. The PCAOB also oversees the audits of broker-dealers, including compliance reports filed pursuant to federal securities laws, to promote investor protection.

Securities & Exchange Commission (SEC)

www.sec.gov
202-942-8088
Protects investors, maintains fair, orderly and efficient markets, and facilitates capital formation. It helps to create and enforce the laws and rules that govern the securities industry in the United States

Securities Investor Protection Agency

www.sipc.org
202-371-8300
Restores funds to investors with assets in the hands of bankrupt and otherwise financially troubled brokerage firms.

 

Exchanges

CME Group

www.cmegroup.com
312-930-1000
Derivatives Marketplace that includes four designated contract markets (DCM): CME, CBOT, NYMEX and CMOX.

Intercontinental Exchange (ICE)

www.theice.com
770-857-4700
Operates leading regulated exchanges, trading platforms and clearing houses serving global markets for agricultural, credit, currency, emissions, energy, and equity index markets.

Nasdaq OMX

www.nasdaq.com
212-401-8700
World’s largest exchange company, delivering trading, exchange technology and public company services across six continents, with approximately 3,700 listed companies.

NYSE Euronext

www.nyse.com
212- 656-3000
Leading global operator of financial markets, exchanges located in United States and Europe trade equities, options, futures,fixed income & exchange- traded products. It has over 8,000 listed products (excluding European Structured Products) from more than 55 countries. The NYSE Markets include the New York Stock Exchange, NYSE Euronext, NYSE Amex, NYSE Alternext and NYSE Arca.

Studies & Publications

 

Fundamentals of Securities Regulation

www.aspenpublishers.com
by Louis Loss, Joel Seligman, Troy Paredes
Details the rules & regulations affecting the securities market, providing comprehensive coverage and non legal explanations in a single volume. Annual updates available. Paid subscription.

Harvard Law School Forum On Corporate Governance & Financial Regulation

http://www.law.harvard.edu/programs/corp_gov/

Program on Corporate Governance seeks to foster research and scholarship about corporate governance and facilitate discourse in this field among academics, practitioners, and policy-makers.

Journal of Securities Law, Regulation & Compliance

www.henrystewart.com
Published by Simon Becket
Provides legal professionals in the securities industry, briefings on current and emerging issues in securities law, regulation and compliance around the world.  Available by paid subscription.

Securities Law Handbook Series

www.west.thomson.com
Published by Westlaw.
Accurate, up-to-date guidance on the registration, regulation, and compliance requirements imposed on advisers by the Investment Advisers Act of 1940. Written by practitioners for practitioners, it helps you deal with everyday issues involving performance advertising, trade allocations, conflicts of interest, SEC inspections and enforcement, mergers and acquisitions of investment advisers.  Paid series.

Securities Law Review

http://guides.library.yale.edu/content.php?pid=86658&sid=661184

Collection of securities articles from the past year.  This is a quick way to stay current on evolving theory and practice.

Forms & Documents

Rule Filings