Advertise on podcast: Oyster Stew - A Broth of Financial Services Commentary and Insights

Featuring Mitch Avnet, Founder & Managing Partner of CRC-Oyster, and Devin Sullivan, Deputy General Counsel at Altruist. Fintech is at an inflection point. More companies are stepping into regulated territory: standing up broker-dealers, registering as investment advisers, and building the infrastructure regulators expect from day one. In Episode 2 of Built to Scale, we sat down with Mitch Avnet, who guides tech-enabled firms through registration and operational build-out, and Devin Sullivan, a former SEC rulemaking attorney whose in-house career runs through Robinhood, AngelList, Cash App, and now Altruist. CRC-Oyster: Compliance Risk Concepts / Oyster Consulting

In the inaugural episode of Built To Scale with CRC-Oyster, host Michael Durette, Managing Principal and Chief Revenue Officer of CRC-Oyster, sits down with Founder and Managing Partner Mitch Avnet and Managing Principal Buddy Doyle. Together, they reflect on the origins of their respective legacy organizations and the strategic acquisition that brought them together under CRC-Oyster. The discussion explores the current regulatory landscape, the priorities and pressures facing clients today, and the opportunities ahead as CRC-Oyster continues to grow and evolve in 2026 and beyond. CRC-Oyster: Compliance Risk Concepts / Oyster Consulting

CRC-Oyster: Compliance Risk Concepts / Oyster Consulting

In this Oyster Stew episode our experts unpack what regulators expect and how firms can build strong processes around Reg Bi and account type recommendations recommendations. ·       What Makes an Account Recommendation “Best Interest”?  ·       Balancing Cost and Services.  ·       Special Considerations in Practice Transitions.  ·       Avoiding Double Dipping.  ·       Documentation: Showing Your Work.  CRC-Oyster: Compliance Risk Concepts / Oyster Consulting

In Part 2 of this Oyster Stew conversation, Ed Wegener continues the discussion with compliance experts Brent Nicks and Len Derus—this time focusing on the most pressing challenges firms face in applying Reg BI and fiduciary duty in practice: documentation, compensation conflicts, and rollover recommendations. What You'll Learn in Part 2 Documentation Expectations: When to document recommendations—and when not to—including product complexity, costs, and client-specific factors.Supervisory Oversight: Why cookie-cutter rationales can create risk and how firms can monitor for consistency across reps.Compensation Conflicts: Practical strategies for mitigating compensation-driven incentives and leveling payouts to reduce bias.Rollover Recommendations under PTE 2020-02: How to document IRA rollovers, justify added costs, and align practices with both Reg BI and fiduciary standards.Technology vs. Forms: The pros and cons of manual versus technology-driven documentation processes—and how to strike the right balance.Training and Monitoring: How tailored training and compliance monitoring help ensure reps are following procedures and avoiding systemic risks. CRC-Oyster: Compliance Risk Concepts / Oyster Consulting

While the core principles of Reg BI and investment advisor fiduciary duty remain consistent, regulatory expectations continue to evolve through examinations, enforcement actions, and formal guidance. In Part 1 of this conversation, our experts explore the foundational similarities and differences between Reg BI and fiduciary duty, unpack how regulators are sharpening their focus on documentation, conflicts of interest, and the firm-level processes that shape recommendations. CRC-Oyster: Compliance Risk Concepts / Oyster Consulting

Dive deep into the crucial foundation every organization should have in place before successfully integrating AI into its operations. In Part 4 of our special AI Series with Carolyn Welshhans of Morgan Lewis, our expert panel explores:  ·       Key Strategies for Building Effective AI Governance Frameworks ·       AI Policies to Your Firm’s Risk Profile and Systems ·       Overcoming Legacy Technology Challenges in AI Adoption ·       The Critical Role of Data in AI Readiness Listen and learn as our panel provides actionable guidance for conducting comprehensive readiness assessments covering governance structures, strategic alignment, data management, model risk frameworks, and technology infrastructure. CRC-Oyster: Compliance Risk Concepts / Oyster Consulting

Powerful AI tools are rapidly transforming financial services, but beneath the promise of efficiency lurks significant risk. For firms eager to harness AI’s power while avoiding costly missteps, strategic planning and sound governance are non-negotiable. In Part 3 of our special Oyster Stew podcast series with Morgan Lewis, our panel of experts uncovers the practical realities facing firms implementing artificial intelligence solutions today: ·       Are your policies and strategies setting you up for success, or a compliance nightmare? ·       What are the legal repercussions when AI systems fail, like placing erroneous orders? ·       How can strong governance, data quality, and human expertise drive successful AI adoption? CRC-Oyster: Compliance Risk Concepts / Oyster Consulting

In this second installment of our special Oyster Stew podcast series, experts Pete McAteer, Dan Garrett and Jeff Gearheart from Oyster Consulting and Carolyn Welshhans from Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP dive deep into how firms can navigate regulatory scrutiny while leveraging AI's potential. Whether you’re evaluating new fintech tools, implementing generative AI, or managing governance across platforms, this series offers essential insights from industry veterans with decades of hands-on experience in wealth management, trading, technology, and SEC enforcement. CRC-Oyster: Compliance Risk Concepts / Oyster Consulting

In this special series of the Oyster Stew podcast, Oyster Consulting’s Pete McAteer, Dan Garrett and Jeff Gearhart team up with Carolyn Welshhans, a partner at Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP, to unpack the real-world applications, regulatory risks, and emerging opportunities of AI. In our kickoff episode, the panel explores how firms are already leveraging AI to drive compliance efficiency, manage operational workflows, and reduce false positives in surveillance systems—starting with smarter email review.  Whether you're evaluating new fintech tools, implementing generative AI, or managing governance across platforms, this series offers essential insights from industry veterans with decades of hands-on experience in wealth management, trading, technology, and SEC enforcement  CRC-Oyster: Compliance Risk Concepts / Oyster Consulting

In this episode of the Oyster Stew podcast, Oyster Consulting’s Ed Wegener and Bryan Jacobsen break down how firms can implement risk-based monitoring, tailor training for frontline roles, conduct effective investigations, and ensure your firm’s Suspicious Activity Report (SAR) filings are what regulators require. Key Takeaways  What regulators expect from your AML compliance programRisk-based surveillance: Going beyond cookie-cutter monitoringHow to tailor red flag training by employee roleInvestigating suspicious activity: When to file a SAR, how to do it rightLeveraging third-party vendors for transaction surveillance and case managementCommon mistakes firms make—and how to avoid them CRC-Oyster: Compliance Risk Concepts / Oyster Consulting

Your CAT reporting compliance requires more than just data submission; you need comprehensive surveillance programs that include monitoring both exceptions and successful reports to maintain regulatory compliance.    Listen to this week’s Oyster Stew podcast as Oyster experts Ralph Magee and Steve Kuhs share their expertise in CAT and CAIS reporting, providing you with the information you need to build an effective CAT reporting compliance program.   CRC-Oyster: Compliance Risk Concepts / Oyster Consulting

In this episode of the Oyster Stew podcast, regulatory compliance experts Ed Wegener, Candy Palugi, and Nolan Hughes examine the nuanced world of custody regulations and outline concrete steps firms should take when custody is discovered, including ADV amendments, engaging independent accountants for verification audits, and implementing enhanced supervision procedures. For compliance professionals and advisory firm leaders, this conversation provides essential guidance on balancing client service with regulatory requirements. Listen now to gain valuable insights that will help protect your firm from unintentional custody violations while maintaining exceptional client service. Review your operational procedures today to ensure you're not triggering custody requirements without proper safeguards in place. CRC-Oyster: Compliance Risk Concepts / Oyster Consulting

Join Oyster experts as they provide real-world insight into the shifting CAT and CAIS landscape, including: The current regulatory focus on removing PII information from CAIS reportingImplementation uncertainty - where FINRA guidance falls shortMember firms grappling with the scope of PII removal at account and customer levelsBlue sheets and CAIS - redundant reporting and integration challengesCAT reporting's critical role in market surveillance during volatile trading periodsHow the multi-year phased implementation approach provides a potential model for future regulations CRC-Oyster: Compliance Risk Concepts / Oyster Consulting

Your clearing agreement is the backbone of your brokerage firm’s operations, yet many firms fail to review it until it’s too late. In this week’s episode, Oyster’s David Williams and Peter Sheehan break down why your clearing contract should be a top priority and what you should consider when evaluating your agreements. You’ll learn: ·      Why your clearing agreement should be a priority ·      Key warning signs for when to review your contract ·      How pricing models have evolved ·      Some hidden costs and contract pitfalls AND ·      Considerations for exploring the marketplace From pricing models to advisory programs, hidden fees, and the right technology, David and Peter share their decades of expertise to help you optimize your clearing relationship and ensure it aligns with your firm’s growth and strategy. CRC-Oyster: Compliance Risk Concepts / Oyster Consulting