Contact: Laine Williams, (202) 897-4757, [email protected]
June 20, 2024, Washington, DC – The Financial Data and Technology Association of North America (FDATA), a trade association representing more than 30 financial technology companies and consumer-permissioned data access platforms in the United States and Canada, today sent a letter to Missouri Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft in response to warnings the agency sent to state-registered advisors regarding potential investor harm associated with advisors’ use of technology-based tools to help manage their clients’ portfolios.
The Missouri Securities Division on May 23, 2024, sent warning letters to more than 40 state-registered advisors raising concerns about advisors using clients’ log-in credentials to access financial information with client consent.
In its letter, FDATA North America emphasized that allowing financial advisors to access and review clients’ financial information is essential for providing informed recommendations that improve financial outcomes for Missourians. FDATA North America also highlighted the potential negative impact of the Division’s warning, which discourages the use of third-party tools that can enhance clients’ investment and financial outcomes. FDATA North America reiterated its commitment to data privacy and information sharing while advocating for secure consumer-permissioned data access and urged the Missouri Securities Division to consider mandating, in alignment with forthcoming federal rules by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, the promulgation of secure interfaces for consumer-permissioned data access for retirement and securities accounts, ensuring that consumers can safely share their financial data with third parties.
A full copy of the letter is available here.