On March 30, 2022, the Division of Examinations of the US Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) announced its examination priorities for 2022. This year’s priorities specifically focus on: (i) private funds; (ii) environmental, social and governance investing; (iii) standards of conduct, including Regulation Best Interest, fiduciary duty and Form CRS; (iv) information security and operational
Top 10 Practice Tips: Negotiating an Underwriting Agreement
In connection with a registered securities offering, the underwriters of the offering typically enter into an underwriting agreement with the issuer of the securities and any selling stockholders. The underwriting agreement sets forth the terms and conditions pursuant to which the underwriters will purchase the offered securities and distribute them to the public. Both the
SEC Proposes to Remove Credit Ratings References from Regulation M
On March 23, 2022, the US Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) proposed amendments to remove references to credit ratings from Regulation M, replace them with alternative measures of creditworthiness and impose related recordkeeping obligations on broker-dealers (the “Proposal”). Our Legal Update discusses key elements of the SEC’s Proposal.
Read the complete Legal Update.
SEC Proposes a “Sea Change” Set of New Rules Applicable to SPACs and Other Market Participants
On March 30, 2022, the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) proposed new rules and amendments to existing rules and forms (the “Proposed Rules”) addressing the treatment of special purpose acquisition companies (“SPACs”) in connection with their initial public offerings (“IPOs”) and subsequent de-SPAC transactions. Comments on the Proposed Rules are due 30 days after
SEC Proposes Climate Change Disclosure Rules Applicable to Public Companies
On March 21, 2022, the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) voted 3:1, with only Commissioner Hester Peirce dissenting, to propose long-awaited rules that, if adopted, would require extensive reporting by public companies of climate change-related disclosure and related attestation (the “Proposal”). Comments on the Proposal are due 30 days after publication in the Federal
SEC Proposes New Rules on Public Company Cybersecurity Disclosures
On March 9, 2022, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) released proposed amendments (the “Proposed Amendments”) aimed at enhancing and standardizing disclosure relating to cybersecurity risks and incidents. Under the existing regulatory framework, neither Regulation S-K nor Regulation S-X expressly requires that cybersecurity risk management procedures, cybersecurity risks or incidents be disclosed. However,
SEC Proposes Amendments That Would Place New Cybersecurity Reporting and Disclosure Requirements on Public Companies
On March 9, 2022, the US Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) voted 3-1 to propose new rules and amendments under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that would constitute the SEC’s first attempt to adopt specific rules to comprehensively regulate cybersecurity risk management, strategy, governance and incident reporting for public companies (“registrants”). The stated goals
What’s the Deal? – Regulation S
Regulation S – it’s all about the definitions. US persons, distribution compliance periods, category 1, category 2, category 3, offshore transactions, directed selling efforts… where does it end? It ends at our new What’s the Deal? – Regulation S guide, where you will find clear and succinct answers to many of the questions raised by
Corporate Finance and the Securities Laws (Sixth Edition): The 2021 Edition
What’s new in the 2021 update of Corporate Finance and the Securities Laws? Quite a lot.
Highlights in the update include discussions addressing: digital currencies, electronic document delivery, “green bonds” and sustainability-linked bonds, developments in the convert market, which was particularly active in 2020 and 2021, and developments in the insurance-linked market. The update
FINRA Publishes 2022 Report on Its Examination and Risk Monitoring Program
FINRA adds new topics for 2022 and new material to previously covered topics.
On February 9, 2022, the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc. (“FINRA”) published its 2022 Report on FINRA’s Examination and Risk Monitoring Program (the “Report”). FINRA intends for the Report to be an up-to-date, evolving resource for firms that may help inform their