Investor Protections

An agency criticized for its assessments of the costs and benefits associated with some of its Dodd-Frank final rules would face enhanced rulemaking requirements under legislation approved by the U.S. House. Read on to learn about the bill and the obligations it would place on the Securities and Exchange Commission. Read on »

The federal panel tasked under the Dodd-Frank Act with identifying and addressing threats to U.S. financial stability released its third annual report. The comprehensive report from the Financial Stability Oversight Council provides an update on financial reform efforts and addresses a range of topics from the wholesale funding markets, to mortgage and housing finance reform, to the dangers posed by interest rate and operational risks. Read on to learn about the report and the risks identified by the FSOC. Read on »

The Government Accountability Office is urging the Securities and Exchange Commission to beef up its internal supervisory controls after the GAO identified numerous deficiencies in controls it tested. Read on to learn about the deficiencies and what the GAO said the SEC should do to address the issues it found. Read on »

Overhauling the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s leadership structure, improving regulatory coordination and repealing the Volcker Rule are among the items included in a broad package of Dodd-Frank tweaks suggested by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. Read on to learn about the chamber’s new “Fix, Add, Replace Agenda” for financial reform. Read on »

The Securities and Exchange Commission is stepping into a contentious debate over the regulation of broker-dealers and investment advisers. The agency recently requested data and other information to assist regulators in considering whether to make new rules about the standards of conduct and regulatory obligations for broker-dealers and investment advisers. The SEC is particularly interested in the potential impact of creating a uniform fiduciary standard of conduct applicable to all investment advisers... Read on »

The Securities Exchange Commission published its examination priorities for 2013, which cover a wide range of issues at financial institutions, including broker-dealers, clearing agencies, exchanges and self-regulatory organizations, investment companies, hedge funds and private equity funds and transfer agents. Read on to learn about the SEC’s Dodd-Frank Act-related examination plans. Read on »

A recent report from the Securities and Exchange Commission’s Office of Inspector General determined that whistleblower award levels established under the Dodd-Frank Act should not be altered. The OIG also said lawmakers should not consider introducing a private right of action into the new whistleblower regime until the agency has an opportunity to study the matter further. Title IX of the Dodd-Frank Act empowered the SEC to provide monetary awards to eligible whistleblowers under certain circumstances... Read on »

Industry groups representing money market mutual fund borrowers, investors and directors questioned the Financial Stability Oversight Council’s role in crafting a set of MMF reform alternatives. Read on to learn why the group said the FSOC’s proposals are invalid under the Dodd-Frank Act. Read on »

The U.S. Justice Department sued Standard & Poor’s, alleging that the desire to retain market share and bolster profits in the run up to the financial crisis led the ratings agency to mask the true risks of certain residential mortgage-backed securities and collateralized debt obligations. Read on for the details. Read on »

The Securities and Exchange Commission continues to fill key leadership positions. The agency recently named a new inspector general and an acting deputy director of enforcement. Read on to learn about the new faces in new places at the SEC. Read on »