Essential Edge and RegEd Join Forces to Transform Branch Exam Solutions

Collaboration to Enhance Branch Exam Solutions

In an impressive move to transform the regulatory landscape for financial services, Essential Edge Compliance Outsourcing Services has announced a strategic partnership with RegEd. This potent collaboration merges the expertise of a leading reg-tech firm with those of seasoned compliance professionals, providing an end-to-end outsourced solution specifically tailored for branch exams.

Founded in 2005, RegEd has established itself as a market leader in compliance solutions for financial services firms. Their innovative Audit Management solution has assisted in conducting over 1.6 million audits, mitigating operational, regulatory, and reputational risks for their clients. Essential Edge plans to complement this technology with on-the-ground expertise, delivering a comprehensive audit service that can meet the evolving needs of broker-dealers and registered investment advisers.

As financial firms grapple with the increasing complexity of compliance requirements—especially as FINRA has redefined what constitutes a branch office—this partnership comes at a crucial time. The costs of maintaining an in-house branch exam function can be prohibitively high. Sander Ressler, Co-Owner and Managing Partner of Essential Edge, emphasizes that this collaboration will not only enhance efficiency but also allow firms to free up resources for more proactive and growth-oriented activities.

Essential Edge brings its experienced team of professionals across the country to conduct remote and on-site audits, depending on the preferences of the firm. Utilizing RegEd's technology, firms can streamline the entire audit process—from planning and scheduling to execution and reporting. This scalable solution is particularly advantageous for organizations, whether they operate five branches or 5,000.

Adam Schaub, VP of Product Management for RegEd, notes that their recent survey among financial services firms uncovered significant challenges in adding and retaining branch examiners, alongside mounting scheduling and travel expenses. With Essential Edge providing solutions to these problems, firms can achieve a consistent examination program while leveraging the best audit technologies available.

The details of this new partnership will be showcased at the upcoming RegEd Engage Annual Client Conference, slated to take place from April 23 to 25. Attendees will have the opportunity to engage directly with representatives from both companies, including Sander Ressler and Marco Fuentes, who will participate in informative panel discussions.

About Essential Edge and RegEd

Essential Edge Compliance Outsourcing Services is a strategic consultancy based in Santa Fe, NM, specializing in compliance and regulatory affairs. With expertise spanning 25+ experienced compliance professionals, the firm delivers tailored branch inspections to Offices of Supervisory Jurisdiction and independent financial advisor practices nationwide. Their services are crafted to identify and resolve compliance issues swiftly, preventing escalation into more significant challenges.

RegEd, established in 2000 by former regulators, is recognized for pioneering RegTech solutions, serving more than 200 enterprise clients, including a majority of the top financial services firms. Their focus on continuous innovation in regulatory technology ensures that clients maintain operational efficiency while navigating compliance challenges effectively.

For more information, interested parties can visit Essential Edge's website and RegEd's website. This partnership represents a new era in branch exam services, setting a new standard for the industry as both companies continue to innovate and lead the way in compliance solutions.