The U.S. Department of Labor’s (the “DOL”) amendment to the qualified professional asset manager (“QPAM”) prohibited transaction class exemption 84-14 (the “Exemption”) went into effect on June 17, 2024. Current QPAMs must send a one-time email notice to the DOL no later than December 14, 2024, in order to rely on the Exemption (see below).
Continue Reading Update to the Qualified Professional Asset Manager Exemption (QPAM)
Last week, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission brought five insider-trading cases against a slew of individuals. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York also announced parallel criminal charges against the defendants in four of the five cases. These cases contain examples of the classical theory and the misappropriation theory of insider trading.
These cases were the result of close coordination with the SDNY and SEC, and they appear to be the result of an enforcement sweep. Increasingly sophisticated data analytics and market surveillance make it highly likely that those who wish to exploit material nonpublic information will be caught, with severe consequences, including disgorgement, criminal restitution, civil penalties, and incarceration.Continue Reading SEC and DOJ Go On An Insider-Trading Enforcement Spree
Recent Enforcement Action
The requirement that financial firms preserve books and records is nothing new. But how do such firms keep track of employees’ communications on applications like Signal or WhatsApp?
Continue Reading Financial Regulators Focus on Preservation of Ephemeral Messaging
On August 16, 2021, the financial thresholds specified in the definition of “qualified client” under Rule 205‑3 of the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 (“Advisers Act”) will increase (i) from $1 million to $1.1 million (assets under management test), and (ii) from $2.1 million to $2.2 million (net worth test). Contracts entered into prior to August 16, 2021 will be “grandfathered” in and will not be subject to the adjusted dollar amounts, unless a client who was not a party to such contract becomes a party following this effective date. Investment advisers and fund managers should consider whether their agreements must be updated to reflect the new thresholds.
Continue Reading SEC Increases Financial Thresholds for Qualified Clients
On April 1, 2021, the Texas State Securities Board (TSSB) announced the entry of a Consent Order against an SEC registered investment adviser named Independent Financial Group, LLC (“Independent”). The TSSB’s action may represent a large shift in investment adviser regulation and enforcement considerations for SEC-registered investment advisers. (Emphasis on “may.”)
Continue Reading SEC Investment Advisers: Texas says “April Fools!” to Federal Preemption?
As we discussed in our recent post “What to Expect from the SEC Under the Biden Administration,” market participants can expect a more vigorous SEC enforcement program under the new administration. President Biden’s nominee to chair the SEC, Gary Gensler, was known as a tough enforcer while serving as chairman of the CFTC during the financial crisis. If confirmed as SEC Chairman by the Senate, Mr. Gensler is sure to bring an assertive approach to SEC enforcement.
Continue Reading What Investment Advisers and Fund Managers can Expect from the SEC Under the Biden Administration
The Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) recently adopted amendments to the definition of “accredited investor,” which will permit a wider range of investors to participate in certain private offerings. The amended definition includes several new categories of natural persons and entities who qualify as accredited investors for purposes of Rule 501(a) of Regulation D under the Securities Act of 1933 (the “Securities Act”). The amendments also expand the definition of “qualified institutional buyer” under Rule 144A under the Securities Act.
Continue Reading SEC Adopts Amendments to “Accredited Investor” Definition
The Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) on Friday, March 13, 2020, granted temporary relief under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 relative to certain filing and delivery deadlines and other requirements that the adviser cannot meet because of the current COVID-19 pandemic. See INVESTMENT ADVISERS ACT OF 1940 Release No. 5463 (March 13, 2020) (the “Order”).
Continue Reading The SEC Grants Temporary Relief Due to the Coronavirus COVID-19 Pandemic
On December 18, 2019, the SEC proposed to amend its definition of “Accredited Investor” with hopes to expand access to private capital markets to a wider range of investors.[1] The proposed changes create two new categories of natural persons who may be considered “accredited investors” and add to the categories of institutional investors who qualify. According to the SEC’s press release regarding the proposed changes, the purpose of the changes is to more effectively identify investors that have the “knowledge and expertise” to safely invest in private markets without the additional investor protections created by the filing requirements of the Securities Act of 1933 (the “Securities Act”).[2]
Continue Reading SEC Proposes to Update “Accredited Investor” Definition