As Josh discussed earlier this week, the annual update to Form ADV is generally due at the end of March for most robo-advisers. However, we are interrupting our current discussion thread to make sure you were aware that on March 13, 2020, the SEC extended Form ADV filing and delivery deadlines for investment advisers whose
OK, so remember last June when we discussed registering your firm? If you do, you may recall that the principal adviser registration document, Form ADV, is divided into two parts: Part 1 (a check-the-box form that is mostly for use by the regulator) and Part 2 (a narrative brochure that is the principal client
Let’s say that five years ago, you developed an investment strategy and built an algorithm to execute it. Since then, your robo-adviser has managed several client accounts using that algorithm. Much to your delight, the strategy weathered the ups and downs of the market and to date, has produced very favorable returns. Now, you want
For businesses of all types, posting positive reviews can be one of the most powerful means of attracting new customers. Before individuals hire a company for a job, they want to know that others before them have had a good experience, and companies that have failed to get a sufficient number of good reviews are
The investment advisory industry is extremely competitive. And while robo-advisory firms often are able to set themselves apart from the industry as a whole, attracting clients still remains a foundational aspect of their business.
Last time, Josh discussed building a strong referral base. This week, I want to kick off a series of posts
If you’re a robo-adviser, chances are you want to create a fully “digital” experience for clients that doesn’t involve sending paper documents. For example, you may want to email clients or communicate with them directly through your firm’s online platform. If you’re going to ditch the paper, the SEC expects you to follow its guidance
Even though your firm may be registered with the SEC, a state can impose licensing requirements on individuals associated with your firm who (i) have a “place of business” within the state and (ii) fall within the state’s definition of “investment adviser representative” (or “IA Rep”). These requirements should be met before any individuals begin
Before your robo-adviser can accept its first client, it must be registered. Like other investment advisers, robo-advisers have two possible initial registration pathways. They either register with the SEC or they register with the state(s) where they maintain a place of business. Due to the additional complexity associated with state registration, most robo-advisers seek to
Thanks for taking the time to check out our first of many blog posts designed to help robo-advisers operate more efficiently, reduce business risk, and comply with applicable law.
To start, when we say “robo-advisers” or “you,” we mean registered investment advisers that use technology to provide discretionary asset management services to their clients through