June 30, 2009
I represent a SEC-registered investment advisory firm that is extremely concerned with the SECs proposed changes to the Custody Rule Release No. IA-2876, Custody of Funds or Securities of Clients by Investment Advisers
Although I can appreciate the reaction to public criticism of the SEC and congress in the light of the recent Madoff scandal, the proposed rule appears to be more of a political reaction than one that would serve the publics best interests.
It is obvious that the success of the Madoff scheme resulted from a lack of enforcement by the SEC and FINRA of existing rules together with ignoring repeated warnings from the media and whistle blowers. The SEC should hold FINRA accountable for its shared oversight of Bernie Madoff in conducting the Ponzi scheme for decades as a broker-dealer before registering two years ago as an investment adviser.
The various schemes uncovered by the SEC have had nothing to do with fees deducted by investment advisers. As far as we are aware, there have been no systemic problems in this area and are unnecessary, costly and burdensome, particularly for small, independent investment advisers.
The new surprise audit requirement will add additional costs to my business that will ultimately be passed on to clients or felt through additional layoffs within small financial advisory firms adding to our already high unemployment rate.
In order to enhance consumer protection, I would support Congress appropriating additional resources to the SEC to hire and train additional examination staff to increase the regular audit cycle of investment advisers together with a focus on those firms who do not have third party custodians which provide clients with additional checks and balances.
I can appreciate that it is more difficult for the SEC to audit large firms versus small firms, however large firms can and do have a dramatic effect on more of the general public and the welfare of our financial system. As for another proposal being bandied around of calling clients to see if they are happy with their advisor if you would have called Madoffs clients a week before his confession they all would have been fine.
Thank you for listening and I am hoping that you take to heart concerns of those who are obeying the laws and working in the best interests on the investing public.
Jane E. Marchand
President
Marchand Faries Financial Management, Inc.
821 Montego Road West
Jacksonville, FL 32216-9366
Tel. 904-805-0207
Fax 904-805-0209
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