AMW LAW PLLC BLOG

NEWS & ANALYSIS

Welcome to AMW Law PLLC’s legal blog, where we break down the complexities of securities laws, rules and regulations for investors and financial professionals alike.

Our posts are organized into four focused categories: Smart Investor Insights offers practical guidance on fraud risks, recovery options, and protecting your investments; Broker Compliance Center provides financial professionals with updates and strategies for staying compliant and defending against regulatory actions; Securities Law Updates highlights key developments from FINRA, the SEC, and the courts that shape the legal landscape; and Our Legal Services gives an inside look at how we help clients pursue and defend securities-related claims.

Whether you're safeguarding your portfolio or your professional standing, our goal is to keep you informed, prepared, and empowered.

FinCEN’s Record Canaccord Penalty Is a Warning to Broker-Dealers on AML and BSA Compliance.

FinCEN’s Record Canaccord Penalty Is a Warning to Broker-Dealers on AML and BSA Compliance FinCEN’s March 6, 2026, enforcement action against Canaccord Genuity LLC is more than a headline-grabbing penalty. It is a clear statement that anti-money laundering compliance remains a core obligation for broker-dealers, and that failures in this area can draw serious scrutiny not only from FinCEN, but also from the SEC and FINRA. FinCEN assessed an $80 million civil money penalty aga

Artur M. Wlazlo

Unit Investment Trusts (UITs): What They Are, How They Work, and What Reg BI Requires When Recommendations Go Sideways

Unit Investment Trusts (UITs): What They Are, How They Work, and What Reg BI Requires When Recommendations Go Sideways Unit investment trusts occupy a strange middle ground in the investment landscape. They’re often marketed as straightforward: a defined portfolio, a defined timeline, and a defined objective—packaged into “units” that investors can buy in one transaction. For the right investor, that structure can be genuinely appealing. But the very features that make UITs e

Artur M. Wlazlo

Should You Resign While Your Firm Is Investigating You? Form U5 Pitfalls for Registered Reps.

Should You Resign While Your Firm Is Investigating You? Form U5 Pitfalls for Registered Reps. If you are a registered representative under internal investigation and you find yourself thinking, “I did nothing wrong, I’m just going to resign and move on,” this is exactly the moment to slow down. Voluntarily walking away while an investigation is still pending feels like taking control. In reality, however, it is one of the easiest ways to end up with damaging Form U5 disclosu

Artur M. Wlazlo

Reg BI, Options, and Senior Clients: Lessons from FINRA’s Taylor AWC

Reg BI, Options, and Senior Clients: Lessons from FINRA’s Taylor AWC FINRA’s recent Acceptance, Waiver, and Consent (AWC) involving...

Artur M. Wlazlo

FINRA Rule 8210 Inquiries and Regulatory Investigations: What to Know and Other Insights from a FINRA Regulatory Defense Attorney.

FINRA Rule 8210 Inquiries and Regulatory Investigations: What to Know and Other Insights from a FINRA Regulatory Defense Attorney. FINRA Rule 8210 is one of the most powerful tools in the arsenal of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) and plays a central role in the organization’s ability to carry out its regulatory mission. This rule grants FINRA the authority to request documents, data, and testimony from member firms, associated persons, and other relevant

Artur M. Wlazlo

FINRA Rule 2010’s Broad Business-Related Scope Affirmed: The Iannazzo Case’s Implications for Personal Misconduct and Professional Consequences.

FINRA Rule 2010’s Broad Business-Related Scope Affirmed: The Iannazzo Case’s Implications for Personal Misconduct and Professional Consequences. Earlier this year, I wrote about the extraordinary flexibility of FINRA Rule 2010 in my article The Expansive Reach of FINRA Rule 2010: Ethical Standards Beyond Securities Transactions . As discussed there, Rule 2010 operates both as a companion to other FINRA rules and as an independent ethical standard capable of reaching misconduc

Artur M. Wlazlo

The Expansive Reach of FINRA Rule 2010: Ethical Standards Beyond Securities Transactions

The Expansive Reach of FINRA Rule 2010: Ethical Standards Beyond Securities Transactions In the highly regulated world of financial services, much attention is paid to the detailed, technical requirements imposed by FINRA’s rulebook. Yet, beneath these specific provisions lies one of the most powerful and flexible rules in the entire securities regulatory framework: FINRA Rule 2010. Though its language is sparse, its reach is expansive, and its enforcement has proven to be a

Artur M. Wlazlo

Understanding FINRA Rules on Outside Business Activities and Private Securities Transactions

FINRA Rules on Outside Business Activities and Private Securities Transactions: What You Need to Know. Navigating FINRA’s rules on Outside Business Activities (OBAs) and Private Securities Transactions (PSTs) can be confusing, as both involve financial professionals engaging in activities outside their primary brokerage firms. However, these two categories have distinct regulatory implications. This blog will clarify the differences, the applicable FINRA rules, and the compli

Artur M. Wlazlo

Alpine Securities v FINRA: Narrow Holding Lets FINRA to Live and Fight Another Day.

Alpine Securities v FINRA: Narrow Holding Lets FINRA to Live and Fight Another Day. The United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia recently delivered its highly anticipated ruling in the Alpine Securities case, a decision with significant implications for FINRA and the broader framework of securities regulation. Alpine challenged FINRA’s constitutionality on two critical grounds. First, it contended that FINRA’s appointment of hearing officers violates the Ap

Artur M. Wlazlo

Understanding FINRA Disciplinary Hearings: An Overview.

Understanding FINRA Disciplinary Hearings: An Overview. The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) plays a critical role in regulating the securities industry. Part of its mandate involves conducting disciplinary hearings to address violations of securities laws and FINRA rules. The process of a disciplinary hearing encompasses several stages, including investigation, on-the-record (OTR) interviews, hearings, and potential appeals to the National Adjudicatory Council

Artur M. Wlazlo