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Financial Services CRM

Registered Investment Advisor (RIA)

A firm or individual registered with the SEC or state regulators to provide investment advice for a fee.

Complete Definition

A Registered Investment Advisor (RIA) is a firm or individual that is registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) or state securities regulators to provide investment advice to clients. RIAs have a fiduciary duty to act in their clients' best interests and typically charge fees based on assets under management rather than commissions. RIAs require specialized CRM systems that support compliance, household management, and integration with custodians.

Key Points

  • 1Fiduciary duty to clients
  • 2Registered with SEC or state regulators
  • 3Typically fee-only compensation model
  • 4Subject to SEC Rule 17a-4 and other regulations