Start-up Financial Brokers & Correspondent Clearing Firm Consultants

Broker-Dealer Consulting Projects
Experience Matters
- Conversion Specialist
- Introducing Broker and Clearing Broker Migrations
- Start-up Broker-Dealers and Secondary Clearing B-Ds
FINRA Compliance & AML Services
Leverage Our Expertise
- Annual Anti-Money Laundering (AML) Independent Testing
Securities Expert Witness & Litigation Services
Our Unique Strengths
- Securities Expert Witness Areas of Support
- 3 Reasons We Stand Out

Good Things are Happening at the Corner of Bedford and Main

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

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

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

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

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:

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

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

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

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

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

Welcome to the Corner of Bedford and Main!

Consulting Engagements – Anti-Money Laundering Testing – Expert Witness Services

When Bedford and Main started in 2012, we initially focused on providing classic project related consulting services to the broker-dealer community. This hasn’t changed. Our clients are still primarily introducing brokers, correspondent clearing firms, self-clearing brokers, “piggyback” and start-up broker-dealers. And yes, we also do our fair share of RIA engagements, but in every case, we stay true to our core competencies, calling upon 35+ years of industry management experience.

It wasn’t long until we expanded our consulting services. A few years in, we became ACAMS certified and developed a service to provide the anti-money laundering (AML) independent testing service which broker-dealers are required to obtain annually. Every year since, our client base has continued to grow.

Complementing this, we expanded to offer even more compliance related services. In 2019, we were exceptionally pleased to announce that Bedford and Main Financial Consulting, Inc. was listed in the FINRA Compliance Vendor Directory.

Pivoting off of our active industry engagements, we also established a Securities Expert Witness and Litigation line of business that quickly proved to fit our business model like a hand in glove! It became very clear that our practical knowledge and experience in operational and compliance consulting, perfectly complimented supporting security litigations on both sides of the table.

While growth, expansion and developing new business lines has been fun, it simply reinforces our belief that business is founded on relationships. We have often said that we strongly believe this is a great industry, dominated by people of good character and integrity. We greatly appreciate the trust and support of our clients as we have built Bedford and Main.

Please visit the tabs above to learn more about our services.

We are particularly proud to point you to our Testimonials page. And feel free to check out the News page for links to our first podcast: A PRIMER ON ANTI-MONEY LAUNDERING FOR BROKER-DEALERS.

Broker-Dealer Consulting Projects

FINRA Compliance & AML Services

Securities Expert Witness & Litigation Services

Good Things are Happening at the Corner of Bedford and Main

Welcome to the Corner of Bedford and Main!

Consulting Engagements – Anti-Money Laundering Testing – Expert Witness Services