| Now in its 18th year, Securities Forum 2006 has kept broker-dealers, investment advisers, financial planners, attorneys, bankers, insurance agents, accountants and other financial professionals up-to-date on important regulatory developments.
This year's program will focus on regulatory issues involving hedge funds, and features a choice of six timely panel presentations, plus a general session, allowing you to create a personalized agenda to meet your particular business needs.
Keynote speaker
Zachary J. Bagdon, Executive Director of the International Center for Finance at the Yale School of Management will deliver the keynote address.
Securities Forum 2006 panel sessions will include:
General Session: Hedge Fund Symposium
Connecticut has become a haven for hedge funds - pooled investment vehicles using a variety of complicated investment strategies to maximize returns and provide liquidity to the capital markets. How should this $1 trillion industry be regulated? What systemic risks are involved? Are state and federal efforts to register investment advisers to hedge funds sufficient? How can investors conduct due diligence given issues with the quality of information on hedge fund performance? Join an experienced team of experts as they delve into these and other significant issues affecting the hedge fund industry.
Developments in Branch Office Regulation
The push for uniformity in registering broker-dealer and investment adviser branch offices led to revisions to Forms U-4 and U-5 as well as a new definition of “branch office” crafted by the states, the NASD and the New York Stock Exchange. Electronic filing of branch office registrations has also become a reality. This segment will address the effectiveness of electronic filing as well as interpretive issues surrounding the definition of “branch office” at both the state and federal levels. Panelists will also explore the challenges of developing adequate branch office supervisory systems.
Dialogue With the State Securities Division
This panel highlights policy and enforcement initiatives taken by Connecticut over the past year, including major cases involving industry analyst conflicts of interest and hedge fund abuses. Other areas covered will be developments in investment adviser regulation, broker-dealer compliance and corporate finance. Ample opportunity will be provided to audience members to direct questions to the panelists.
Profit or Principle: Ethical Considerations in Developing Sound Compliance Systems
Are profit and principle mutually exclusive concepts in a post-Sarbanes-Oxley environment? Is it necessary to hire an ethics officer? This panel will explore how to develop a sound compliance system that encourages ethical conduct from the top down - and that actually works. Rogue employees, gifts, conflicts of interest and obstructing justice are just a few of the topics to be covered in this freewheeling session.
Defensive Strategies in Arbitrating Industry Employment Disputes
When the business relationship between an agent and his or her employing broker-dealer sours, the result can be costly and time-consuming in terms of the resulting arbitration. This session will explore defensive strategies from the firm’s and the agent’s perspective when confronted with issues involving defamatory claims on Form U-5, compensation, restrictive covenants and whistle blowing activity.
Trends in Broker-dealer Regulation
Hear about up-to-the-minute regulatory developments affecting the broker-dealer community, including problems isolated during regulatory examinations. Panelists will also address how to best conduct an internal investigation and implement strategies to forestall regulatory inquiries.
Investment Advisory Update
To what extent should all investment advisers be treated equally? Efforts to register hedge fund managers as investment advisers have met with resistance. In addition, the Financial Planning Association has contested SEC Rule 202(a)(11) which excuses certain broker-dealers from having to register as investment advisers. This session will focus on the pros and cons of investment adviser regulation in various contexts. Panelists will also explore new developments affecting the investment advisory industry.
As an added bonus, Securities Division staff will be available throughout the day to provide general advice or to discuss your individual issues. | 
