Why Am I Receiving Form CRS?
On June 5, 2019, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) approved new regulations governing how broker-dealers and investment advisory firms work with “retail” investors (i.e., individuals who engage with a financial firm primarily for their own or their families’ purposes). According to the SEC, the regulations are “designed to enhance the quality and transparency of retail investors’ relationships with investment advisers and broker-dealers, bringing the legal requirements and mandated disclosures in line with reasonable investor expectations, while preserving access (in terms of choice and cost) to a variety of investment services and products.”
Among the new rules was the requirement for SEC-registered broker-dealers and investment advisers to begin sending out a relationship summary document that is intended to help investors decide whether to:
- Establish a relationship with the firm
- Engage a particular firm or individual, or
- Terminate or switch a relationship or service.
The regulation states that Form CRS should be delivered to an organization’s investors within 30 days of its filing with the SEC, as well as:
- At pre-sale/point-of-sale (prior to, or at the same as, a recommendation)
- For subsequent material changes to the language in Form CRS for existing accounts
- For certain account changes, such as an IRA rollover
The form must also be posted on the organization’s website.
What is Form CRS?
The SEC requires the relationship summary to be concise — no more than two to four pages, depending on the nature of the relationship — and written in easily understandable terms. Some firms may choose to send out two separate forms, one each for a broker-dealer and investment adviser relationship, if they are “dual registrants.”
Each form must provide information about certain topics organized in the following sections:
Introduction
This section includes the firm’s name, whether it is registered with the SEC as a broker-dealer, an investment adviser, or both, and the date of the relationship summary.
Relationships and Services
Under the heading, “What investment services and advice can you provide me?” this section will detail the types of services offered — brokerage, investment advisory, or both — and will summarize the principal services, accounts, or investments offered as well as any material limitations on such offerings. You may also find references or links to other helpful information.
Fees, Costs, Conflicts, and Standard of Conduct
In this section, which begins with the heading, “What fees will I pay?” you will learn about the fees and costs for your brokerage or investment advisory relationship, as well as when such fees are assessed. These might include transaction-based fees, asset-based fees, and fixed fees. You can also find details about other fees, including account maintenance fees and costs associated with mutual fund or annuity investing. This section also provides details about the legal obligations of the financial professionals as well as the standards of conduct under which they operate. You will also find information about how the financial professionals make money and examples of any potential conflicts of interest.
Disciplinary History
Here you will find any legal or disciplinary information the firm is required to disclose. You will also find a link to a tool that will help you research the firm on your own.
Additional Information
In this section, you’ll find contact details for up-to-date information and to request a copy of the relationship summary.
Form CRS will also help you learn about key questions to ask your financial professional, how to find more information about investing, and how to contact the SEC.
For More Information
The SEC has created a website designed to help you learn more about Form CRS, which includes a video introduction by Jay Clayton, chairman of the SEC. For more information, visit https://www.investor.gov/CRS.
Learn more about What is a Fiduciary?
IMPORTANT DISCLOSURES: Please remember that past performance may not be indicative of future results. Different types of investments involve varying degrees of risk, and there can be no assurance that the future performance of any specific investment, investment strategy, or product (including the investments and/or investment strategies recommended or undertaken by Bogart Wealth, LLC (“Bogart Wealth”), or any non-investment related content, made reference to directly or indirectly in this commentary will be profitable, equal any corresponding indicated historical performance level(s), be suitable for your portfolio or individual situation, or prove successful. Due to various factors, including changing market conditions and/or applicable laws, the content may no longer be reflective of current opinions or positions. Moreover, you should not assume that any discussion or information contained in this commentary serves as the receipt of, or as a substitute for, personalized investment advice from Bogart Wealth. Please remember to contact Bogart Wealth, in writing, if there are any changes in your personal/financial situation or investment objectives for the purpose of reviewing/evaluating/revising our previous recommendations and/or services, or if you would like to impose, add, or to modify any reasonable restrictions to our investment advisory services. Bogart Wealth is neither a law firm nor a certified public accounting firm and no portion of the commentary content should be construed as legal or accounting advice. A copy of the Bogart Wealth’s current written disclosure Brochure discussing our advisory services and fees continues to remain available upon request. This material was prepared by Broadridge Investor Communication Solutions, Inc.
