Board members are expected to have adequate knowledge and understanding of climate-related and ESG risks. Legislators and regulators around the world have long recognised that one of the most effective ways to drive change is...more
6/21/2021
/ Board of Directors ,
Climate Change ,
Corporate Governance ,
Corporate Social Responsibility ,
Disclosure Requirements ,
Environmental Social & Governance (ESG) ,
EU ,
European Central Bank ,
Publicly-Traded Companies ,
Risk Management ,
Sustainable Finance
The FCA is proposing to set higher expectations for firms operating in retail markets.
On 14 May 2021, the FCA published a Consultation Paper (CP21/13) on introducing a new Consumer Duty....more
Proposed changes to the UK Listing Rules would allow certain SPACs to avoid a listing suspension.
Key Points:
..The FCA is proposing to amend its rules so that SPACs meeting certain conditions and disclosure...more
The consultation proposes changes to rules on research and best execution reporting.
On 28 April 2021, the FCA published a Consultation Paper (CP21/9) on proposed changes to UK MiFID relating to research unbundling and...more
Latest FCA consultation focuses on remuneration, risk management and governance, and liquidity requirements.
Key Points:
The consultation:
..Sets out the FCA’s proposals for the new remuneration rules for FCA...more
4/21/2021
/ Consultation ,
Corporate Governance ,
Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) ,
Investment Adviser ,
Investment Firms ,
Liquidity ,
MiFID ,
Prudential Standards ,
Remuneration ,
Risk Management ,
Senior Management Regime (SMR) ,
UCITS ,
UK
Creative Uses of Collateral Present New Financing Opportunities for PE -
Raising fresh capital for portfolio companies in times of financial stress is always a delicate balancing act between attracting new lenders and...more
3/18/2021
/ Balance Sheets ,
Capital Raising ,
Collateral ,
Coronavirus/COVID-19 ,
Financing ,
Gaming ,
Initial Public Offering (IPO) ,
Investors ,
Private Equity ,
Private Equity Firms ,
Share Classes ,
Target Company ,
Venture Capital ,
Video Games ,
Whistleblowers
In a changing social landscape, PE firms should conduct corporate culture due diligence while also ensuring the implementation of robust complaints procedures. As global businesses react to the pandemic and social movements,...more
This article explores whether culture-oriented organisations may be missing an important trick by effectively overlooking the potential real-time interventional role of employees who observe a colleague’s inappropriate...more
The PRA has released a largely positive report, along with nine follow-up actions and recommendations on the SMCR for PRA-regulated firms.
Key Points:
..There is no need for major changes to the SMCR.
..There are...more
Culture has become a point of focus for regulators and corporate stakeholders. The UK Financial Conduct Authority has taken a particular interest in culture and conduct within the financial services sector following the...more
The FCA, Bank of England, and PRA have published updated rules for firms post-Brexit and intend to delay many (but not all) onshoring changes.
Key Points:
..The FCA has published an updated version of the FCA Handbook,...more
10/20/2020
/ Bank of England ,
Cross-Border Transactions ,
Dear CEO Letter ,
EU ,
Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) ,
Financial Services Industry ,
Onshoring ,
Prudential Regulation Authority (PRA) ,
Time Extensions ,
Transitional Arrangements ,
UK ,
UK Brexit
ESMA advises the European Commission to consider some, but not all, of ESMA’s original proposals — and gives guidance on pre-hedging and market soundings along the way.
Key Points:
..Pre-hedging / front running: ESMA...more
ESG and the reasonable investor test under MAR.
Background -
Historically, “profit maximisation” has been regarded as the sole (or predominant) objective for investors. Today, however, an ever-increasing proportion of...more
The FCA published its annual Industry Feedback for 2019/20 in relation to its 5 Conduct Questions Programme.
Messages from the Engine Room -
“Conduct and culture will remain a key focus of our engagement activity”....more
The FCA has provided updated guidance on the SMCR for solo-regulated firms, with new information on good and bad practices in two key areas.
On 14 August 2020, the FCA updated its webpage on the Senior Managers and...more
Many of the wide-ranging amendments address the perceived barriers MiFID II introduced in capital markets and are likely to be welcomed by industry.
Key Points:
..The amendments aim to remove administrative burdens that...more
While the findings are not new or surprising, they do serve as a reminder of the regulator’s focus on advisers’ fiduciary and supervisory duties.
On June 23, 2020, the Securities and Exchange Commission’s (SEC’s) Office of...more
The FCA publicly censured the IT service provider for publishing false information about its net debt and holdings of cash and cash equivalents.
On 26 June 2020, the FCA issued a final notice to Redcentric PLC...more
The English High Court’s findings are likely to have wide implications, not just for SIPP operators but for all regulated firms.
Key Points:
..Regulatory obligations are not intended to take precedence over contractual...more
Buyout firms planning an acquisition or preparing a portfolio company for exit must consider the impact of poor corporate culture, particularly on a potential IPO.
No institution, whatever its geography, industry, sector,...more
It is now apparent that no institution or business unit, whatever its geography, industry, sector, or size, is above the negative impact of a poor culture. Culture-related issues at Uber, Sports Direct, Boeing, and others...more
The three draft delegated regulations set out sustainability criteria and ESG disclosure requirements for benchmarks provided in accordance with the EU Benchmarks Regulation.
Key Points:
..The measures follow amendments...more
The draft RTS introduce new, potentially more onerous obligations on the administrators of all categories of benchmarks.
Key Points:
..The draft RTS contain new guidance that makes clear who is responsible for which...more
The FCA is moving towards formalising issuers’ compliance with the TCFD recommendations.
Key Points:
..The FCA is proposing that premium listed commercial companies will need to disclose how they have implemented the...more
The FCA’s latest paper on culture explores how firms can improve culture through a meaningful purpose.
Key Points:
..The FCA explains how it expects firms to develop a more purposeful culture, and the benefits this can...more