BOSTON, March 11, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- The New England Broker Dealer/ Investment Adviser Association, Inc. (NEBDIAA), is seeking new members to join its 100 current compliance professionals pursuing open and fair financial markets.   

"It's an informal group of professionals who have demanding jobs but limited budgets and resources.  We believe the compliance profession for financial firms is still in the beginning stages of development, and we work to promote integrity and ethics across the industry," stated NEBDIAA President Keith Marks.  Also, "there are many very experienced compliance officers and other professionals among NEBDIAA's group who can provide new members with insight and mentoring."   

Incorporated in 1997 as a not-for-profit organization, the purpose of NEBDIAA is to provide a forum for the professional exchange of information among compliance professionals of investment advisers, broker dealers, and persons who provide services to investment advisers and broker dealers, and to direct communication among its members that will improve their ability to serve the needs of their financial firms. The forum helps members navigate an increasingly complex and ever-changing regulatory landscape.

NEBDIAA meetings take place quarterly at the Federal Reserve Plaza, 600 Atlantic Ave., Boston, MA. Meetings are from 12pm-2pm and include lunch. The group is open to all and annual membership is $125.  Additional forums are being developed.  In 2012, NEBDIAA meetings included a review of last year's new Form ADV Part 1 disclosure requirements, Department of Labor Regulation 408(b)(2) disclosure requirements, FINRA suitability rules for broker dealers, and a focus on social media activities by investment advisers and broker dealers.

In an incredibly informative September 2012 meeting, Michael Garrity, Associate Regional Director the SEC's Boston Regional Office, provided information and SEC perspectives on a wide array of topics ranging from the SEC's efforts to detect aberrational investment performance, its approach to pursuing tips and complaints, and its ongoing examination processes.  Additional speakers in 2012 included professionals from John Hancock, MetLife, Actiance, Mintz Levin, Wilmer Hale, and Ascendant Compliance Management. 

"In 2013, we have already kicked off our program with a 1^st Quarter meeting addressing the SEC's stated examination focus on technology governance and corporate controls covering information and trading systems," added Mr. Marks.  "There is a lot more ahead."

The Directors and Officers of NEBDIAA are Keith Marks (President) of Ascendant Compliance Management, Larry Kaplan (Treasurer)  of CBIZ Tofias, Jacqueline Hallihan (Secretary) of Ascendant, Joshua Cook of John Hancock Financial Services and Tim Dwinal of Natixis Asset Management.  For more information, and to join the organization, please visit www.nebdiaa.org, contact Ascendant Compliance Management, Inc., at 860-435-2255 or email nebdiaa@ascendantcompliance.com

CONTACT:  Melissa Maleri, +1-860-435-2255

SOURCE Ascendant Compliance Management