FINRA Investigates Recipients of PPP Loans

Posted on January 28th, 2021 at 3:55 PM
FINRA Investigates Recipients of PPP Loans

From the Desk of Jim Eccleston at Eccleston Law LLC:

As the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic took hold in the spring of 2020, the U.S. Small Business Administration offered a loan program for businesses called the Paycheck Protection Program (“PPP”). Many financial firms and advisors were among the millions of businesses that received funds through the PPP. More than 1,400 wealth management firms received loans of $150,000 or greater, according to the Small Business Administration.

However, the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (“FINRA”) is now investigating advisors who received PPP funds, Financial-Planning.com reported. It is believed that FINRA is conducting the PPP investigations to see if any of the PPP loan recipients received loan money for an undisclosed outside business activity. According to WealthManagement.com, FINRA confirmed that the purpose for the PPP investigations is to inquire about undisclosed business activities.

Regulatory compliance has been a moving target since the country began feeling the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. The pandemic forced FINRA to modify certain rules and publish guidance regarding other rules. Over the course of the last year, FINRA has issued guidance regarding the receipt of PPP loans. In an FAQ from April 13, 2020, FINRA clarified that if a registered person receives a PPP loan that is forgiven, that registered person is not required to report that on their Form U4 as a “compromise with a creditor.”

Eccleston Law is defending advisors who are the subject of an investigation by FINRA and/or other regulatory organizations. Call us today.

Tags: eccleston, eccleston law, finra, ppp loans, covid

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