Experienced Compliance Executive
Resume:
EXPERIENCED COMPLIANCE EXECUTIVE
COMPLIANCE FINRA TEAM LEADERHIP REGULATORY REPORTING SEC REGULATIONS AML COMPLIANCE
RISK MANAGEMENT PROJECT MANAGEMENT FINANCIAL SERVICES
Results-oriented, dynamic executive with over 20 years of diversified regulatory and compliance experience within public and private firms. Proven ability to increase productivity, mitigate risks, and achieve significant business outcomes. Leads broker-dealer, investment advisory, asset management, insurance, and other compliance functions, effectively overseeing policies and procedures, resolving issues as they arise, mitigating risks, and interacting with and responding to regulators. Recognized FINRA expert with all relevant certifications (Series 7, 24, 66). Able to represent the firm and add significant value through forging significant relationships with key business stakeholders and regulators. Currently serving on the FINRA NY Regional Committee and previously served as a regulator with FINRA’s NJ District Office. Excellent communicator and thought leader who easily adapts and thrives in any situation. Trusted advisor to business partners; strong team leader with track record of successfully managing teams and building effective relationships, internally and externally.
Areas of Expertise
Leadership
FINRA Committee
Team Leadership
Speaking Engagements
Committee Membership
Regulatory Liaison
External Representative
Compliance
FINRA, SEC, NFA, and CFTC
Regulatory Management
AML
Risk Management
Testing & Monitoring
Audits & Examinations
Financial Services
Broker Dealer
Investment Advisory
Asset Management
Alternative Investments
Investment Management
Insurance Products
Experience
Foresters Advisory Services and Foresters Financial Services - Edison, NJ 2013 – Present
A $12B company focusing on the distribution and sales of Mutual Funds, Variable Products, and Insurance Products and a FINRA member broker-dealer, Foresters Equity Services, Inc. (“FESCO”), an affiliated FINRA member broker-dealer and SEC Registered Investment Adviser; and an affiliated SEC Registered Investment Adviser, Foresters Advisory Services, Inc. (“FAS”).
Chief Compliance Officer
Compliance Leadership: Oversee the overall enterprise compliance program for multiple entities, providing subject matter expertise on all matters pertaining to compliance. Provide day-to-day oversight of broker-dealer policies and procedures, investment advisory business through surveillance and maintenance of policies and procedures, and addressing FINRA and state securities inquiries. Advise on compliance related financial industry trends, challenges and opportunities.
Team Leadership: Lead over 1,600 employees as the FINRA Executive Representative and lead a 22-person team in creating and implementing test plans and risk inventory compliance. Provide guidance to dedicated compliance team.
AML: Provide AML advice and oversight, including Know Your Customer, transaction surveillance, risk assessment and risk tolerance, training, governance, and compliance monitoring and testing. Serve as chairman of the AML Task Force which governs enterprise wide anti-money laundering compliance.
Compliance Testing: Designed and implemented required testing pursuant to 206(4)-7 of the Investment Adviser’s Act Rule of 1940 and FINRA Rule 3120 resulting in successful regulatory examinations.
Due Diligence: Redesigned and implemented a comprehensive enterprise-wide due-diligence program for vendors, counterparties, service providers, and sub-advisors.
Regulatory Requirements: Analyze regulations in the context of financial products strategies and develop and implement controls designed to achieve adherence to the regulation. Oversee the continued development of policies and procedures to help ensure compliance with the relevant statutory and regulatory requirements.
Regulatory Examinations: Reduced company risk by managing successful audits and leading the firm’s responses to regulatory examinations and inquiries. Successfully navigated examinations by the SEC, FINRA, and State Regulators while performing as the principal point of contact and authoring responses to findings letters.
Regulatory Liaison: Interact with federal regulators and counsel to resolve complex regulatory matters. Advise company on key regulations affecting corporate governance. Build strong relationships with regulators to effectively understand the implementation and application of current and future regulations.
Training: Create and deliver Investment Advisory training to Investment Adviser Representatives on all aspects of regulation.
Risk Management: Detect and mitigate compliance, regulatory and reputational risk across the firm. Identify potential areas of compliance vulnerability, risks and developments and lead projects related to the enhancement of the compliance program and strategic initiatives.
Equinox Fund Management/Equinox Group Distributors, LLC - Princeton, NJ 2011 – 2013
A SEC Registered Investment Advisor dually registered as a Commodity Pool Operator with the CFTC and NFA; and all affiliates, including Equinox Group Distributors (“EGD”), a FINRA member broker-dealer
Chief Compliance Officer
Compliance Leadership: Led overall compliance, developed policies and procedures, established compliance testing protocols, registrations, and conducted related testing/training. Served as chair of the Equinox Investment Risk and Oversight Committee, Due Diligence Committee, and Valuation Committee.
AML: Created and monitored the Anti-Money Laundering Compliance program, designing processes to maintain compliance across a number of federal regulations. Served as the Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Officer for all corporate activities.
Testing: Implemented test plans and risk inventory compliance. Managed the comprehensive adviser’s testing program pursuant to 206(4)-7 of the Investment Adviser’s Act of 1940 and 38a-1 of the Investment Company Act of 1940, effectively managing risk and performing extensive interviewing with key personnel for analysis.
FINRA: Managed the FINRA 1017 application process, facilitating acquisition of the broker-dealer, implementing required compliance systems and policies to ensure regulation to the law.
Team Leadership: Led over thirty employees as the FINRA Executive Representative.
Regulatory Fillings & Examinations: Managed all regulatory filings and provide professional responses to inquiries and compliance audits. Successfully navigated a variety of regulatory examinations by the SEC, CFTC, NFA, FINRA, and State Regulators while performing as the principal point of contact and authoring responses to findings letters.
Training & Advisory: Trained and advised personnel on compliance activities, reviewing and approving all marketing literature prior to its use.
Regulatory Liaison: Led as liaison with FINRA, SEC, NFA, and CFTC. Managed all due diligence and RFI processes for company. Monitored for compliance with new or amended laws, rules and regulations.
Controls & Policies: Designed and implemented controls, policies, and procedures. Monitored employee personal trading and compliance with the Code of Ethics, including outside business activities, gifts and gratuities, and entertainment to ensure that there are no conflicts with counterparties.
Operational Efficiency: Effectively managed large-scale corporate email platform migration with no service interruptions, streamlining email processes and providing greater administrative control.
FINRA - Woodbridge, NJ 2005 – 2011
A not-for-profit self- regulatory organization authorized by Congress to protect America’s investors by making sure the broker-dealer industry operates fairly and honestly
Principal Examiner
FINRA Expertise: Represented company on national FINRA Regulatory Expert Group, assisting examiners in addressing various complex issues associated with Mutual Fund and Variable Product management.
Financial Products: Gained and leveraged subject matter expertise in mutual funds and variable products.
Regulatory Oversight: Examined member firm operations and sales practices, ensuring compliance with FINRA and SEC rules and maintaining regulatory guidelines. Developed cases resulting in significant enforcement actions. Successfully investigated and provided testimony for significant fine delivery for broker dealer trying to circumvent NASD Rule 1060 regarding payments to foreign finders.
Training: Trained new examiners and developed new examination plans.
Regulatory Information & Examinations: Monitor and manage Joint FINRA/SEC IRS Rule 72(t) Sweep examinations. Consulted member firms on new regulatory and ruling information management, presenting at numerous regional and national meetings to ensure Mutual Fund and Variable Product sales practice issues were managed properly.
Guardian Life Insurance Company of America (Park Avenue Securities) - New York, NY 2003 – 2005
An insurance company. Park Avenue Securities is a registered broker-dealer offering investment products, as well as a registered investment advisor offering financial planning and investment advisory services
Agency Compliance Officer
Compliance Leader: Oversaw compliance for more than 60 representatives in addition to managing administrative and operational staff and leading equity and sales activities. Overcame organizational challenges in implementing a securities compliance culture.
SEC & NASD Regulations: Ensured compliance with SEC and NASD rulings by investing potential NASD and Broker/Dealer violations and ensuring that all regulations were met and acceptable sales practices were in place.
Mutual Funds: Enhanced procedures to drive proper surveillance procedures for mutual funds.
Compliance Training: Delivered continuing education compliance training.
Regulatory Examination: Achieved zero deficiencies following a 12-month examination by improving books and records keeping, improving home office communication, and enhancing processes.
PRIOR EXPERIENCE
Compliance Specialist (Assistant Treasurer) – The Bank of New York (BNY Investment Center), New York, NY 2002 -2003
Compliance Analyst – First Investors Corporation, Woodbridge, NJ (While still in college) 1999- 2002
COMMITTEE EXPERIENCE
FINRA District 10 New York Region Regional Committee Member, New York, NY 2019 - Present
Elected for a three-year term which serves an important role in the self-regulatory process, alerting FINRA to industry trends that could present regulatory concerns, and consulting with FINRA on proposed policies and rule changes.
EDUCATION & CERTIFICATIONS/LICENSURE
Bachelor of Arts, Political Science (minor in Pre-Law), Montclair State University, Upper Montclair, NJ
Certified Regulatory Compliance Professional, The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
Series 7, Series 24, and Series 66
Certified Regulatory and Compliance Professional (CRCP)
Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialist (CAMS)
FINRA National Regulatory Expert (Mutual Funds/Variable Products)
Certified Mutual Fund Specialist (CMFS) – Boston Institute of Finance
PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS
National Society of Compliance Professionals (NSCP), Member - Broker Dealer Committee, Faculty/Speaker
Investment Company Institute (ICI), Member – Variable Insurance Products Committee
Association of Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialists (ACAMS), Member
Association of Certified Fraud Examiners (ACFE), Associate Member
SELECT SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS
2019 FINRA Hot Topics Webcast ACA, FINRA Regulatory Expert Conference, NSCP Regional Conference, ACA Broker-Dealer Compliance Forum, FINRA District Open House Meeting
ac9hj4@r.postjobfree.com
linkedin.com/in/gerb09
JASON H. GERB CRCP®, CAMS®
Phone
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