OSC investigation reveals firm violated sales rule by overspending on gifts for reps and conference attendees
The mutual fund company has agreed to pay more than $1 million in penalties and costs for violating sales practices rules
Violations of the rule involve certain incentives programs
The firm admitted that it failed to adequately supervise leveraged accounts and concentration risk
Jim Ruta cautions that banning sales incentives may lead to fewer families with life insurance coverage
AMF & CCIR to look at how incentives influence insurance advisors
The regulator’s paper follows a 2015 survey highlighting several concerns, including the management of conflicts connected with remuneration
The firm spent $2 million on a conference that violated the rules and included lavish gifts for reps, including Dom Perignon, jewelry and golf outings
The aim is to avoid conflicts of interest when selecting reps to attend conferences
The CFPB is warning financial services firms to avoid using sales incentives that encourage employees to put consumers into inappropriate products