Hedge Funds to be Allowed to Advertise but Insiders Fear Massive Fraud on Investors

This week the Securities and Exchange Commission announced its intention to remove restrictions on solicitation by hedge funds which have been barred from advertising in newspapers or TV. Under the new rules the hedge funds may be able to rent billboards. purchase full page ads in newspapers and promote web sites that offer the public information on operations and performance. The change has many financial insiders squeamish that unscrupulous money managers might take advantage of ordinary investors. Under current regulations it is difficult for hedge funds to market directly to investors if they don’t already have a relationship with them.