Ameriprise Financial disclosed it recorded a $50 million accrual related to the resolution of a Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) probe into use of off-channel communications by its employees for conducting business.
The firm said in its latest annual report published Feb. 22 it reached an agreement in principle with SEC staff regarding the matter. With the penalty, Ameriprise would join the growing list of banks, broker-dealers, and investment advisers caught in an enforcement sweep that has already resulted in nearly $3 billion in fines against other financial services firms.

