Hear What Our Clients Say About Us:
John Foster has been an invaluable partner, conducting our annual AML audit with exceptional thoroughness and professionalism. His expertise ensures that we remain fully compliant with all AML procedures, giving us peace of mind and allowing us to focus on serving our clients. John's attention to detail and his ability to stay on top of ever-evolving regulations make him an essential asset to our team. We highly recommend John to any brokerage firm looking for a reliable and knowledgeable AML compliance expert.
John P. CEO and President of a full-service, independent Broker Dealer
John provided guidance to us in connection with upgrading our AML procedures in connection with going self-clearing and has conducted our annual broker/dealer AML audits for a number of years. He has always been a great resource to us and we would recommend him to any other broker/dealer looking for AML-related advice.
Ron S. CCO of a major Broker Dealer and industry financial technology company
Our Company needed guidance developing a line of business under CFTC/NFA jurisdiction. He listened to our goals, plans, and desires, and then researched the best path for the launching of a new subsidiary that met our objectives. His ability to bring complex regulatory issues and hurdles into a brief and understandable success path was outstanding. On our behalf, he worked directly with the regulator to complete the application filing; including the repeated requests for additional information. His work led to a successful and quick regulatory approval. Working with regulators on our behalf, he demonstrated high professional standards and saved the Company intense amounts of time and resources.
Everardo V. CEO of International brokerage, advisory, and banking services
John was a lifesaver. We brought him in to help our complaint reporting which was significantly behind. John came in and in less time than he quoted us got us caught up and on track. He will continue to be on the top of my list when I need compliance help. A true professional.
Marco F. CCO for a major investment platform/trading app brokerage firm
John’s depth of knowledge was instrumental and insightful as we compiled our NMA application for our broker dealer. Not only is he knowledgeable, he is easy to work with and personable. Throughout our engagement we consider John a critical member of our team. I highly recommend John and am grateful for his hard work with us.
Paul K. CEO of a US Start-up Broker Dealer for a European wealth management fintech
John provided a world-class report which made a complex broker/dealer case a complete lock. His mastery over the maze of SEC, FINRA and Banking regulations made his opinion impenetrable. John is an expert’s expert and a real gentlemen. I am grateful to have worked with him and recommend him without reservation.
Maurice M. Founder of a boutique Philadelphia based law firm
Our firm worked with Bedford and Main on an important project regarding third party managed investment programs. John Foster was very thorough and professional throughout our process, and was truly interested in understanding our business practices before making any recommendations for action. His reports were well written and provided a great deal of information and guidance to our firm. He can offer significant expertise on a wide range of subjects. Our firm found his input to be valuable and would certainly work with him again in the future. I would highly recommend John Foster and his firm Bedford and Main.
Tom M. COO of an industry top tier Broker Dealer and RIA
My firm engaged John on behalf of our client, a defunct broker-dealer, in a complex arbitration against another industry participant. John’s knowledge and understanding of all facets of clearance and settlement helped us prepare and present our case efficiently and effectively. John testified clearly and concisely, translating highly technical principles into lay terminology. His command of clearance and settlement processes was best reflected on cross-examination. Opposing counsel thanked “Mr. Foster for his time” and declined to ask him any questions.
Aaron R. Partner of a Connecticut legal firm specializing in securities arbitrations
Hiring Bedford and Main as a Consultant in our conversion between Clearing Firms, was the best business decision I made last year. John Foster knows and understands the operational and compliance matters like few people I have come across in 22 years of my career. I would certainly hire him again when any challenge out of the ordinary would come up in the future.
Carlos M. CEO and Managing Director at a US based Broker Dealer subsidiary of a foreign bank
We have been looking for a long time for experience in setting up our clearing operations. We found Bedford and Main (John Foster) through an internet search and we were immediately enthusiastic after we had our first introductory call with John. John has a great deal of knowledge and experience in running and setting up clearing operations and he helped us work through analyzing and investigating how that could work out for us. His specialist and in-depth knowledge of the operational and regulatory environment for B/Ds helped to get things clear for us. I would highly recommend John and I look forward to working with John again in the future.
Osi L. CFO at an industry leading equity and derivative market making Broker Dealer:
Principal Trust hired John as a consultant for a special project. John's knowledge of the industry, back office processing, best practices, and industry trends is top notch. He really listens to what his client is trying to accomplish. In our case, he leveraged his industry contacts and that, along with his personal knowledge and perseverance, brought us to a very successful outcome. I would highly recommend John for any consulting role in the financial services industry.
Carol B. Senior Vice President at a financial services Fortune 500 subsidiary
I found John to be quite knowledgeable regarding Broker/Dealer compliance issues as well as being thoroughly enjoyable to work with. I would not hesitate to recommend John Foster to any firm looking for an outside compliance professional to help backstop their internal efforts.
Ken K. CEO & CCO of boutique B/D servicing the parent firm's advisory and accounting enterprises
John was recommended to my western Europe-based firm as someone who had a great deal of knowledge and experience in running and setting up broker dealers in the United States. He helped us work through a challenging project and delivered the solution we were looking for, due to his specialist and in-depth knowledge of the operational and regulatory environment for non-US firms, along with his contacts throughout the retail brokerage industry. I would highly recommend John and his company Bedford and Main. I look forward to working with John again in the future.
Brendan K. Business Development Director at a western European financial services firm
It was easy to work with John Foster and a sale of the B/D was consummated within a relatively short period of time. John’s contacts were excellent and I would recommend. He is a real pro.
William C. CCO of Broker Dealer shell offered for sale
We hired Bedford and Main with the end goal of gaining a comprehensive understanding of the clearing landscape. As a new broker/dealer, we had many decisions to make – Bedford and Main was quick to clarify the decision tree for us and help navigate forward. We were impressed with the breadth and depth of knowledge.
Rob G. Co-Founder of a Start-up Broker Dealer
My firm hired John to assist with creating WSPs specific to our needs. Not only did he demonstrate his deep industry knowledge but a thorough understanding of current industry trends. Our staff was very comfortable working with John throughout the entire process. I can't speak highly enough of John's work and strongly recommend him to fill any financial services consulting need.
Tim D. COO at a privately owned introducing Broker Dealer and RIA
I have used Bedford and Main in the past to whiteboard out all relevant operational and compliance needs for a new Broker/Dealer. We were extremely pleased with the efficiency and comprehensiveness for all of their services. I would not hesitate to recommend all of their services to any securities firm. Their knowledge is extensive and Rolodex full.
Micah G. CCO at a California based introducing Broker Dealer
I was introduced to John Foster and Bedford and Main Consulting during my evaluation of securities processing platform vendors. John became a valuable resource during the evaluation of self-clearing and fully-disclosed options from several different vendors. John has a broad understanding of the market-place and operational requirements. His industry contacts were invaluable in my company's decision-making process. He was instrumental in negotiating the proposal we ultimately accepted.
Doug R. EVP/CFO at a Kansas based self-clearing Broker Dealer
Bedford and Main were wonderful to work with. Not only completing a very daunting and specialized task for us, but doing it in a timely and efficient manner. I would highly recommend anyone needing their services to not hesitate getting in touch with John Foster.
Keith B. Founder at an Oklahoma based Equity Market Advisors Financial Services firm