2009 FINRA Annual Conference

May 6-8, 2009
The Westin Boston Waterfront Hotel
Boston, MA


 

This agenda is current as of April 20. Updates will continue to be made as additional speakers are confirmed. Note that times are subject to change.

 

Wednesday, May 6, 2009

IA Regulation and Compliance Pre-Conference

 

7:30 am - 6:30 pm Registration
7:30 am - 9:00 am Continental Breakfast
9:00 am - 10:00 am Welcome Address: Tom Selman, FINRA
Keynote Speaker: Barry Barbash, Willkie Farr & Gallagher, LLP 
10:00 am - 10:15 am Break
10:15 am - 11:30 am Concurrent Sessions I

 

Brokerage and Trade Allocations

 

This session addresses use of brokerage and includes a discussion of directed and discretionary brokerage. Panelists also address disclosure of trading practices, trading conflicts, best execution and trade allocations, as well as compensation arrangements, solicitations, fee structures and soft dollar arrangements.

 

  • Sarah Bessin, Securities and Exchange Commission
  • Evan Charkes, Citigroup
  • Stephanie Monaco, Mayer Brown (moderator) 

 

Risk Management and the Investment Management Industry

 

Panelists discuss the various portfolio management and operational risks money managers face, and issues that firms should consider when structuring a risk management program. Topics include how to deal with specific risks, such as counterparty risk, valuation risk and business strategy risk.

 

  • Phil Gallo, Deutsche Bank
  • John Gilner, T. Rowe Price
  • Angela Goelzer, FINRA
  • Thomas Lemke, Legg Mason (moderator)

 

11:30 am - 11:45 am Break
11:45 am - 1:00 pm Concurrent Sessions II

 

Advertising and Marketing

 

This session addresses general advertising guidelines, performance reporting, including use of performance information and testimonials, global performance reporting (GIPS) compliance, disclosure requirements and advertising violations. Panelists provide practical guidance for IA/B-D dual registrants on compliance with advertising regulations in the dual-regulatory environment.

 

  • Tom Pappas, FINRA
  • Larry Stadulis, Stradley Ronan (moderator) 
  • Paul Tolley, Commonwealth Financial Network
  • Lori White, SEI 

 

ERISA Compliance

 

Panelists address developments affecting advisers with ERISA clients. Discussion topics include bonding requirements, prohibited transaction rules under the Pension Protection Act, new soft dollar disclosures, and gifts and entertainment.

 

  • Susan Camillo, Dechert LLP
  • Kimberly Collins, MFS Investment Management
  • Clifford Kirsch, Sutherland (moderator)

 

1:00 pm - 2:15 pm Lunch
2:15 pm - 3:30 pm Concurrent Sessions III

 

Registration and Disclosure

 

This session covers the registration requirements for investment advisers and their representatives, including similarities and differences for federally versus state-covered advisers, and use and implementation of the Investment Adviser Registration Depository. Industry and state experts also compare and contrast Forms BD and ADV, and address current requirements and proposed changes to Form ADV Part II.

 

  • Stephanie Brown, LPL
  • Marian Desilets, Bank of America
  • Clifford Kirsch, Sutherland
  • Ron Petersen, FINRA (moderator)
  • Patricia Struck, Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions

 

Ethics and Managing Conflicts in IA Firms

 

In this session, discussion centers on the code of ethics investment adviser firms must follow governing employees' conduct and personal securities trading. Panelists highlight key features of their codes of ethics and discuss tests firms can conduct to ensure appropriate review and reporting of employees' activities. Topics include policies and procedures governing employees' personal securities trading, gifts and entertainment and contributions.

 

  • Joe Fleming, Dechert LLP (moderator)
  • Scott Goebel, Fidelity Investments
  • Thomas Lemke, Legg Mason

 

3:30 pm - 3:45 pm Break
3:45 pm - 5:00 pm Concurrent Sessions IV

 

Privacy Programs and the FACT Act

 

This session addresses privacy regulations and the impact of the FTC's FACT Act on investment adviser firms. Panelists also discuss the status and pending adoption of anti-money laundering rules applicable to investment adviser firms.

 

  • John Chiota, Legg Mason
  • Dennis Dickstein, UBS
  • John Komoroske, FINRA (moderator)

 

FCPA Due Diligence

 

Enforcement trends show record increases in the number of foreign corruption investigations and prosecutions with substantial fines. In this session, panelists review the anti-bribery and accounting provisions of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA), address key developments in FCPA enforcement and highlight the growing importance of FCPA due diligence in the business transactions of financial services firms. This session is important for attorneys and the general counsel of any firm with international operations. This session is repeated on Thursday, May 7th.

 

  • F. Joseph Warin, Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP (moderator)
  • Elliot Leary, KPMG LLP
  • Steve Shine, Prudential

 

5:00 pm - 6:30 pm Reception

 

 

Submit Questions in Advance

Email your advance questions for conference speakers to us by Friday, May 1.