Global Investment Law Watch – Page 3 – Exploring the legal and regulatory issues affecting the worldwide investment community.

DOL Fiduciary Rule: The Saga Continues With Eleventh Hour Appeal of Fiduciary Rule Stay

Sep 23 2024

By: Robert L. Sichel and Ruth E. Delaney

In July, two federal district courts in Texas stayed the effective date (slated for 23 September) of the Department of Labor’s (DOL’s) amended fiduciary rule that would define when a financial professional is acting as a “fiduciary” under ERISA by virtue of providing nondiscretionary investment advice to participants in 401(k) plans, IRAs, and similar clients. On Friday 20 September 2024, the DOL informed the courts that the DOL is appealing to the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit to reverse the lower courts’ decisions.

Firms Fail to File 13Fs, Fines Follow

Sep 18 2024

By: C. Todd Gibson, Pablo J. Man, and Brian Doyle-Wenger

On 17 September 2024, the SEC announced settled charges against 11 institutional investment managers for failing to file Form 13F. In addition, two of the 11 firms also failed to file Forms 13H as large traders. The penalties ranged from US$175,000 to US$725,000, and in the aggregate exceeded US$3 million combined. However, two firms self-reported and paid no penalties and one firm self-reported Form 13H filing violations and paid no penalties on that portion of the settlement. Furthermore, all of the institutional investment managers made remedial filings covering several years (in one case over 50 such filings).

End of Summer Pool Party: CFTC Approves Final Rule Amending 4.7 Regulatory Relief for CPOs and CTAs

Sep 17 2024

By: Cheryl L. Isaac, Matthew J. Rogers, and Benjamin C. Skillin

On 12 September 2024, the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) published a Final Rule impacting registered commodity pool operators (CPOs) and commodity trading advisors (CTAs) relying on the regulatory relief provided under CFTC Regulation 4.7. “Registration light,” as Regulation 4.7 is sometimes known, provides reduced disclosure, reporting and recordkeeping obligations for CPOs and CTAs that limit sales activities to “qualified eligible persons” (QEPs).

After Approval at DC District Court, Appeals Court Halts Trading Event Contracts Based on Election Outcomes

Sep 13 2024

By: Cliff C. Histed, Cheryl L. Isaac, and Wiley F. Cole

On 12 September 2024, the US District Court for the District of Columbia ruled in KalshiEx LLC v. CFTC that designated contract markets may list event contracts whose payouts are tied to the outcome of elections. The court’s order, which granted summary judgment to KalshiEx LLC (Kalshi), held that the Commodity Futures Trading Commission’s (CFTC) interpreted its own regulations too broadly and that registered derivatives exchanges such as Kalshi may offer election outcome event contracts for trading.

ASIC Releases Some Additional Guidance on Greenwashing

Sep 12 2024

By: Jim Bulling and Anthony Shorten

Much of the recent media commentary on greenwashing has revolved around enforcement action taken by ASIC against entities who have misled investors or shareholders. However, there has been less discussion on best practices for entities looking to avoid greenwashing.

Gee, Have You Thought About Your 13G? (New Reporting Compliance Deadlines Start at Month-End)

Sep 10 2024

By: Pablo J. Man, C. Todd Gibson, and Lisa N. Ju

Updated on 26 September 2024

Starting 30 September 2024, the amendments to the Section 13 beneficial ownership rules under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (Amendments), as they relate to initial and amended Schedule 13G filings come into effect. The new accelerated deadlines for initial and amendment filings vary by investor type, as follows:

More Marketing Missteps

Sep 10 2024

By: Pablo Man, Pamela Grossetti, Lance Dial and Jennifer Klass

On 9 September 2024, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) announced settled charges against nine registered investment advisers for violations of Rule 206(4)-1 (the Marketing Rule). Unlike the prior settlements (which focused primarily on the use of hypothetical performance), these settlements focused on other elements of the Marketing Rule: (i) the prohibitions on statements of material fact that are untrue or that the adviser cannot substantiate; (ii) disclosures relating to testimonials and endorsements; and (iii) required disclosures for third-party ratings. Many of these violations were based on website disclosures. In total, nine advisers agreed to pay US$1,240,000 in combined civil penalties, ranging from US$60,000 to US$325,000.

SEC Enforcement Takes Broad View of Anti-Whistleblower Rule in Latest Action Targeting Investment Advisers and Broker-Dealer

Sep 06 2024

By: Hayley Trahan-Liptak and Taylor A. Listau

On 4 September 2024, the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) announced that it settled charges against affiliated investment-advisers and a broker-dealer over the use of restrictive language in confidentiality agreements, in violation of Rule 21F-17(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. The firms agreed to pay a combined $240,000 in civil penalties to settle the charges. The enforcement action is the latest in the SEC’s ongoing focus on confidentiality provisions in release agreements; an emphasis that has increasingly focused on investment advisers and broker-dealers.

Japan Adopts “Asset Owner Principles” Amid Growing Interests in Alternative Investments Among Japanese Pensions

Sep 05 2024

By: Tsuguhito Omagari and Yuki Sako

On August 28, under the ongoing “Japan as a leading asset management center” policy initiative, the Japanese government adopted “Asset Owner Principles” (Principles), which are five “common principles” that are “useful” for asset owners in “fulfilling their responsibilities to manage assets (fiduciary duties) in consideration of the best interests of the beneficiaries.” Asset owners are described to include public pensions, benefit associations, corporate pensions, insurance companies and university funds. These Principles are:

Europe: BaFin Changes Its Process for Fund Passporting Into Germany

Sep 03 2024

By: Hilger Von Livonius, Emma O’Dwyer, Aoife Maguire, and Gayle Bowen

On 14 and 15 August 2024, the German Federal Financial Supervisory Authority (BaFin) updated the following guidance notices:

Guidance Notice on marketing of EU UCITS in Germany

Guidance Notice (2013) for marketing units or shares of EU AIFs or domestic special AIFs (Spezial-AIF) managed by an EU AIF management company to semi-professional and professional investors in the Federal Republic of Germany pursuant to section 323 of the Investment Code