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Technology, globalization, convergence and consolidation are transforming the financial services industry. To grow in this challenging environment, dynamic companies like yours need someone to help you make decisions that are right for your business. Our experienced professionals understand the complex and changing world of financial services and can offer specialized knowledge and attention to help you achieve your goals.

Grant Thornton's business advisory, tax and audit professionals have extensive experience serving a broad array of financial services organizations. Let us help you take full advantage of growth and profitability opportunities, minimize tax obligations, and maintain compliance with a broad range of domestic and international regulatory requirements.

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Asset ManagementAdviser: May 2012

Portfolio managers and investment controllers face a perennial problem regarding risk and control issues associated with complex asset classes. Over the past year, there has been a groundswell of interest and desire to solve a new dilemma: institutional investors' need to have on-demand, online access to alternative investment reporting at their fingertips. This issue of Grant Thornton's Asset ManagementAdviser takes a look at investor portals for complex asset classes.

Asset Management Industry Update: Myths and Realities of Doing Business in Asia

On April 18, Grant Thornton’s asset management practice hosted a Global private equity panel on the myths and realities of doing business in Asia. Bloomberg Brief editor, James Crombie, moderated a diverse panel where Grant Thornton along with special guests from HSBC, Schulte Roth & Zabel, FAY & TUNG ASSOCIATES, LLC and United Sourcing where they discussed key issues regarding a wide range of topics to help arm private equity firms with the knowledge required to making investments and setting up business in Asia. This paper provides insight into some of the key takeaways from that event.

Tariq Mirza quoted in Bloomberg News on FDIC v. Jim McMahon lawsuit

Grant Thornton’s national bank regulatory managing director, Tariq Mirza was recently quoted in Bloomberg News on a recent lawsuit between FDIC and Jim McMahon, Super Bowl Chicago Bears’ quarterback and Chicago's Broadway Bank's director.

Mergers & Acquisitions: A Checklist for Buyers and Sellers

Molly Curl, Grant Thornton’s bank regulatory national advisory partner was featured in the Q2 2012 issue of the Bank Director magazine on her perspectives of key considerations in an M&A transaction for buyers and sellers.

Molly Curl quoted in Bank Safety and Soundness on Reg O exemptions

Grant Thornton’s bank regulatory national advisory partner was recently quoted in Bank Safety & Soundness Advisor on the topic of Reg O exemptions. This regulation was designed to protect banks against fraud and insider dealing. However, examiners are starting to question these exemptions placed on individual board members. Click on the article to read the full story

Grant Thornton Bank Regulatory National Advisory Partner, Molly Curl featured in Bank Director

Bank Director featured comments by Molly Curl, Bank Regulatory National Advisory Partner, in an article entitled, “Ready, Set, Go,” discussing the state of the bank M&A market.

Grant Thornton's Tariq Mirza featured in American Banker

American Banker featured Tariq Mirza, Grant Thornton's new hire as a Managing Director in the firm's National Bank Regulatory practice in an alert on April 17, 2012. The alert, titled "Accounting Firm Hires Former FDIC Advisor" highlights Tariq's experience and expertise in regulation and reform.

Recovery and resolution plans: Working together to help you create an effective living will

This paper outlines the key steps to create an effective living will to facilitate orderly resolutions of Covered Companies in the event of material financial distress or failure while complying with the Dodd-Frank Act.

Overcoming the challenges to growth for broker-dealers

Broker-dealers face significant uncertainty in the months ahead. Major regulatory changes and an economy struggling to increase positive momentum create a challenging environment for many firms. But broker-dealers shouldn't wait for the regulatory and economic picture to become clearer. Overcoming the challenges to growth for broker-dealers outlines steps broker-dealers can take today to improve their position in the marketplace.

Banks focus on M&A as a strategy for growth

Nichole Jordan, Banking and Securities sector leader, presents survey findings from the recent Bank Director Acquire or Be Acquired conference.

How do you start a hedge fund?

Starting or launching a hedge fund can be a very expensive and overwhelming task requiring six months or longer to complete, while startup, infrastructure and operational costs can run well into the six-figure range. Grant Thornton LLP and Stonegate Capital Partners explore the startup and management process in How do you start a hedge fund? The new era of hedge fund creation and operational management.

Broker-dealer industry update

This publication provides highlights of recent accounting and regulatory issues, new developments and best practices for broker-dealers from the SEC, Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (PCAOB) and the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB). Learn more about critical topics, including revisions to Rule 17a-5, Accounting for Financial Instruments and more.

Asset management industry update

The turbulent global economic and regulatory environment of the past three years has asset managers considering their current position and formulating growth strategies for 2012 and beyond. This publication takes a look at the current state of the industry and what lies ahead for private equity, hedge funds and mutual funds. Topics include survival of the largest and specialization of the smallest, hunt for growth and opportunity and updates on current legislative and regulatory changes.

FASB and IASB converge guidance regarding fair value measurements and disclosures

The Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) has issued Accounting Standards Update (ASU) 2011-04, Amendments to Achieve Common Fair Value Measurement and Disclosure Requirements in U.S. GAAP and IFRSs, to substantially converge the guidance in U.S. GAAP and IFRS regarding fair value measurements and disclosures. The amended guidance changes several aspects of the fair value measurement guidance in FASB Accounting Standards Codification® (ASC) 820, Fair Value Measurement. This issue of Asset ManagementAdviser discusses the provisions that will most likely have an impact on your fund's financial reporting.

SEC adopts new net worth standard, AICPA Conference updates

In order to address requirements under the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (Dodd-Frank Act), the SEC has amended its rules to exclude the value of a person’s primary home when calculating net worth in determining “accredited investor” status. This Financial Bulletin, issued Dec. 22, 2011, explains the change and also summarizes key issues discussed at the 2011 AICPA National Conference on Current SEC and PCAOB Developments.

Banking & Securities Update Spring 2012

Our Spring 2012 Banking & Securities Update discusses the latest accounting, tax and regulatory developments that banking and securities executives need to know. We provide a succinct overview of recent FASB pronouncements, FINRA rules, OCC developments and recent news from Capitol Hill.

Compliance with SEC registration requirements: An implementation playbook

Once the provisions of the Private Fund Investment Advisers Registration Act of 2010 go into effect, all private funds (e.g., private equity funds and hedge funds) with more than $150 million in assets under management will be required to register with the SEC. Grant Thornton LLP developed this SEC registration playbook to outline a structured approach toward registering with the SEC under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940. This playbook defines the tasks and milestones required to register and operate as a registered investment adviser, and can be customized to fit your specific business model.