[WEBINAR] Annual Labor & Employment Update
Financial institutions and their employees may be subject to the following federal pay-to-play rules: SEC Rule 206(4)-5 for investment advisers; CFTC Rule 23.451 for commodities-backed swap dealers; FINRA Rule 2030 for...more
Recently, the Municipal Securities Rulemaking Board (MSRB) noted in its quarterly compliance newsletter dated June 8, 2018 that it has “compliance concerns” regarding issuer-solicited charitable donations. The MSRB’s...more
The Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals dismissed a suit by the Tennessee, Georgia and New York Republican parties challenging the constitutionality of an MSRB extending pay-to-play prohibition to municipal advisors. The Court...more
On September 19, 2016, the Municipal Securities Rulemaking Board ("MSRB") advised Congress that it had "just concluded development of a core regulatory framework for municipal advisors." This by no means signals a significant...more
The Sixth Circuit this week declined the SEC’s request to dismiss a Constitutional challenge to the new MSRB pay-to-play rules. Instead, the Court ordered the case to a merits panel for consideration. The Republican parties...more
The SEC announced August 25 that it approved FINRA’s pay-to-play rules governing placement-agent or solicitor broker-dealers and was “prepared” to approve the extension of MSRB Rule G-37 to municipal advisors as well....more
As the elections approach nationwide, advisers to private investment funds with current or prospective state or local government entity investors should be mindful of political activities by their personnel which could raise...more
This SRO gamesmanship is making a mockery of governing. The latest is the SEC’s position that it didn’t take any action on the new MSRB Rules extending pay-to-play prohibitions to municipal advisors, so it can’t be sued...more
Last week, Donald J. Trump, the Republican nominee for U.S. president, selected Governor Mike R. Pence of Indiana as his running mate for vice president. The selection of Governor Pence might have implications under the SEC’s...more
On July 15, 2016, Donald Trump announced that he selected Indiana Gov. Mike Pence as his vice presidential running mate. Contributions to the Trump/Pence campaign are now subject to prohibitions and restrictions under the...more
On April 12, the Tennessee Republican Party filed a petition in the US Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals, seeking to invalidate the SEC’s approval of new rules extending the MSRB’s long-standing “pay-to-play” prohibitions to new...more
The MSRB’s Rule G-37 amendments applying pay-to-play prohibitions to Municipal Advisors and their third-party solicitors will become effective August 17, 2016....more
The Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) recently published for comments rules proposed by the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc. (“FINRA”) and the Municipal Securities Rulemaking Board (“MSRB”) to regulate...more
On December 16, 2015, the Municipal Securities Rulemaking Board (MSRB) filed its draft amendments to Rule G-37 on political contributions (the Draft Rule) with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The Draft Rule...more
On December 16, the Municipal Securities Rulemaking Board (“MSRB”) filed with the SEC a proposed rule that would extend to municipal advisers the MSRB’s existing rule prohibiting “pay-to-play” practices and restricting...more
On June 25, 2015, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) set a compliance date of July 31, 2015 for the ban on payments to third parties for the solicitation of advisory business from any government entity under Rule...more
The Securities and Exchange Commission’s Rule 206(4)-5 (Pay-to-Play Rule) under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended, prohibits, among other restrictions, an investment adviser subject to the rule, and its covered...more
In This Issue: - SEC Proposes Changes to Reporting and Disclosure Obligations for Investment Companies and Advisers - SEC Charges Hedge Fund Executives and External Auditor for Improper Disclosure of Expense...more
In recent months, aggregate political contribution limits have been the subject of dramatic change due to the McCutcheon decision as well as significant legislative modifications in the federal budget bill. Meanwhile,...more
SEC’s Focus in 2015 - On December 11, 2014, Mary Jo White, Chair of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), gave a speech at The New York Times DealBook Opportunities for Tomorrow Conference that...more
In This Issue: - SEC Announces First-of-Its-Kind Whistleblower Award To an Audit and Compliance Professional - SEC Issues No-Action Letter To Allow for Amendment of a Sub-Advisory Agreement without Shareholder...more
Spotlight on the MSRB: In the Industry Developments section we report that the SEC, FINRA and the MSRB will be conducting a compliance outreach program for municipal advisors. The Municipal Securities Rulemaking Board was...more
In This Issue: - Regulation: Long-Awaited Money Market Fund Rules Adopted - SEC Staff Offers Guidance Regarding Investment Advisers and Proxy Advisory Firms - SEC Staff Closes Loophole on BDC Asset...more
In its August 18 Regulatory Notice No. 2014-15, the Municipal Securities Rulemaking Board (“MSRB”) proposed amendments to Rule G-37 that would extend the long-standing “pay-to-play” prohibition’s reach to newly-registered...more
The Municipal Securities Rulemaking Board, or MSRB, is requesting comment on draft amendments to Rule G-37, the MSRB’s pay-to-play rule for municipal securities dealers, that would extend the rule to municipal advisors....more