In this episode of the Oyster Stew podcast, regulatory compliance experts Ed Wegener, Candy Palugi, and Nolan Hughes examine the nuanced world of custody regulations and outline concrete steps firms should take when custody is discovered, including ADV amendments, engaging independent accountants for verification audits, and implementing enhanced supervision procedures.

For compliance professionals and advisory firm leaders, this conversation provides essential guidance on balancing client service with regulatory requirements. Listen now to gain valuable insights that will help protect your firm from unintentional custody violations while maintaining exceptional client service. Review your operational procedures today to ensure you're not triggering custody requirements without proper safeguards in place.

Oyster Consulting has the expertise, experience and licensed professionals you need, all under one roof. Follow us on LinkedIn to take advantage of our industry insights or subscribe to our monthly newsletter.

Does your firm need help now? Contact us today!

Join Oyster experts as they provide real-world insight into the shifting CAT and CAIS landscape, including:

• The current regulatory focus on removing PII information from CAIS reporting
• Implementation uncertainty - where FINRA guidance falls short
• Member firms grappling with the scope of PII removal at account and customer levels
• Blue sheets and CAIS - redundant reporting and integration challenges
• CAT reporting's critical role in market surveillance during volatile trading periods
• How the multi-year phased implementation approach provides a potential model for future regulations

Oyster Consulting has the expertise, experience and licensed professionals you need, all under one roof. Follow us on LinkedIn to take advantage of our industry insights or subscribe to our monthly newsletter.

Does your firm need help now? Contact us today!

Your clearing agreement is the backbone of your brokerage firm’s operations, yet many firms fail to review it until it’s too late. In this week’s episode, Oyster’s David Williams and Peter Sheehan break down why your clearing contract should be a top priority and what you should consider when evaluating your agreements.

You’ll learn:

· Why your clearing agreement should be a priority

· Key warning signs for when to review your contract

· How pricing models have evolved

· Some hidden costs and contract pitfalls AND

· Considerations for exploring the marketplace

From pricing models to advisory programs, hidden fees, and the right technology, David and Peter share their decades of expertise to help you optimize your clearing relationship and ensure it aligns with your firm’s growth and strategy.

Oyster Consulting has the expertise, experience and licensed professionals you need, all under one roof. Follow us on LinkedIn to take advantage of our industry insights or subscribe to our monthly newsletter.

Does your firm need help now? Contact us today!

In this episode of the Oyster Stew Podcast, Dan Garrett and Jay Donlin break down the critical—but often overlooked—factors that determine whether your technology investments will actually move the needle for your firm. From setting business-driven goals to avoiding the allure of flashy tools with limited value, they walk through practical insights that can save you time, money, and internal frustration.

What You’ll Learn

· Start with Strategy, Not Software

· Beware the Shiny Object

· Don’t Underestimate Adoption and Training

· Data Strategy

· Measure Before and After: ROI Isn’t Optional

· Knowing When to Walk Away

Whether you're considering AI adoption or evaluating more fundamental systems, this conversation offers essential wisdom for anyone responsible for technology decisions. Listen now to ensure your next technology investment truly advances your business goals rather than becoming another expensive disappointment.

Oyster Consulting has the expertise, experience and licensed professionals you need, all under one roof. Follow us on LinkedIn to take advantage of our industry insights or subscribe to our monthly newsletter.

Does your firm need help now? Contact us today!

Understanding and implementing the new FINCEN AML (anti-money laundering) requirements for registered investment advisors (RIAs) is crucial to achieving compliance by the 2026 deadline. Preparing for AML compliance as an RIA will take time. Firms must develop and implement risk-based AML programs, appoint compliance officers, establish monitoring systems, and ensure staff receive proper training—steps that require careful planning and execution well ahead of the 2026 deadline.

Join Ed Wegner and Bryan Jacobson as they discuss

· 8 critical elements of compliance and their implications

· Building a strong AML program: steps for RIAs

· The importance of a risk-based approach to AML compliance

· Key elements required for establishing an AML program

· The role of a designated AML Compliance Officer (AMLCO)

· Independent testing and ongoing compliance monitoring

· Leveraging third-party resources and ensuring adequate training

Whether you are already familiar with AML regulations or completely new to the topic, this episode provides essential insights to prepare your firm for the upcoming changes. Tune in to ensure that you have the knowledge and tools needed to comply with these vital regulations.

Oyster Consulting has the expertise, experience and licensed professionals you need, all under one roof. Follow us on LinkedIn to take advantage of our industry insights or subscribe to our monthly newsletter.

Does your firm need help now? Contact us today!

Unlock the secrets of navigating FINRA's complex enforcement landscape with former enforcement officials Lisa Colon and Chris Kelly, who now provide defense counsel to broker-dealers. Drawing on their rich experience at FINRA and current roles at CSG Law, Lisa and Chris share their perspectives on the current state of FINRA enforcement in the securities industry. We discuss the statistics of previous enforcement actions, the importance of strategic cooperation, and the reality of FINRA credit for cooperation.

Key topics include:

• 2024 enforcement action analysis
• Importance of proactive strategies in handling investigations
• Distinction between mandatory self-reporting and extraordinary cooperation
• Navigating the centralized process for enforcement referrals
• Key factors that influence enforcement outcomes and credit for cooperation
• Recommendations for improving compliance and engaging with regulators

Oyster Consulting has the expertise, experience and licensed professionals you need, all under one roof. Follow us on LinkedIn to take advantage of our industry insights or subscribe to our monthly newsletter.

Does your firm need help now? Contact us today!

In this episode of the Oyster Stew Podcast, our panel of financial services experts breaks down the key considerations for outsourcing critical functions, such as compliance, finance, and vendor selection. Whether you’re launching a new firm, looking to scale efficiently, or navigating complex regulatory landscapes, outsourcing services can provide cost-effective expertise and operational flexibility.

Our expert panel—Sarah Sutton, Candy Palugi, Evan Rosser, Jay Donlin, Fred Wagstaff, and Jeff Wilk—shares real-world insights on when outsourcing makes sense, how to assess your firm’s needs, and the long-term benefits of working with experienced operations and compliance consultants. Key topics include:

• When Does Outsourcing Chief Compliance Officers Make Sense?
• How Outsourcing Can Help Growing Firms Stay Focused
• Compliance, Testing & Risk Management: The Role of Independent Reviews
• Financial & Operational Outsourcing: When Should Firms Leverage External Support?
• Vendor Selection & Technology Strategy: Choosing the Right Partners

Oyster Consulting has the expertise, experience and licensed professionals you need, all under one roof. Follow us on LinkedIn to take advantage of our industry insights or subscribe to our monthly newsletter.

Does your firm need help now? Contact us today!

Building and maintaining strong relationships with regulators is not just beneficial, but essential. Join us for Part 2 as former regulators share their experience and insights into how to establish open, candid communication, and engage regulators on both professional and personal levels. Get tips on setting the right tone from leadership and fostering a culture of compliance. Stay on the right side of compliance while cultivating positive interactions with financial regulatory bodies.

In this episode we’ll build on Part 1 and cover:

• Dealing with Regulatory Violations: Identifying violations and deciding on the next steps.
• The Exam Process and Levels of Review: From deficiency letters to enforcement referrals, learn how regulators evaluate violations through multiple levels of review and how firms can proactively manage these stages.
• The Role of Cooperation - Discover why setting a tone of cooperation matters, and where to draw the line when the process turns adversarial.
• Educating Examiners: Learn why it is important to ensure they understand your operations in context and reduce the risk of misinterpretation.
• Culture of Compliance: Learn how tone at the top and a strong compliance culture influence examinations and relationships with regulators.
• Building Positive Relationships with Regulators: Get practical tips on engaging with regulators and industry working groups to foster mutual trust and gain valuable insights into regulatory priorities.

Oyster Consulting has the expertise, experience and licensed professionals you need, all under one roof. Follow us on LinkedIn to take advantage of our industry insights or subscribe to our monthly newsletter.

Does your firm need help now? Contact us today!