The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission’s (SEC) Division of Examinations released its 2026 examination priorities, which give companies a roadmap of areas of heightened risk and regulatory focus for next year.
Financial Services
Posted inRegulatory Enforcement
San Francisco firm pays $11.4M for alleged Russia-related sanctions violations
A San Francisco-based private equity firm has agreed to pay $11.4 million to settle allegations it violated U.S. sanctions rules by handling investments for a sanctioned Russian oligarch.
Posted inFinancial Services
U.K. asset managers to focus on investor engagement outcomes under new reporting guidance
Asset managers reporting under the U.K.’s updated Stewardship Code starting Jan 1 should focus on engagement outcomes and evidence of impact. New guidance from the U.K. financial regulator offers case studies and checklists to support compliance.
Posted inFinancial Services
FDIC eases leverage rules for banks, citing lower risk burdens
The U.S. Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation issued a final rule to change the leverage capital requirements for both large and community banks. The agency said the modification will ”reduce disincentives a banking organization may have to engage in lower-risk activities.”
Posted inFinancial Services
CFPB shutdown appears imminent, enforcement transferred to DOJ
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau is reportedly transferring its enforcement caseload to the DOJ, one of multiple indicators telegraphing its eminent shutdown.
Posted inEthics & Culture
Rapid regulatory change requires investment in compliance processes in financial services firms
Geopolitical instability and a general focus on increasing growth and productivity by governments worldwide are causing a slew of regulatory changes in the financial services sector. But most firms are failing to identify potential compliance changes early enough to make meaningful decisions.
Posted inFinancial Services
U.S. Treasury faces new pressure over unreleased Epstein bank records
The release of thousands of emails written by Jeffrey Epstein has sparked a political storm. One Democratic Senator is ramping up pressure for the U.S. Treasury to also disclose the deceased financier’s bank records.
Posted inFinancial Services
CFPB proposed changes that would limiting disparate-impact claims
The U.S. Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) proposed a rule change that would narrow anti-discrimination requirements for the financial industry. This comes as the Trump administration attempts to shutter the agency may finally come to pass.
Posted inFinancial Services
DOJ dismisses indictment against Cassava advisor amid legal flaws
The DOJ dropped a June 2024 indictment against a Cassava Sciences advisor, closing a case tied to an alleged short-selling scheme and related government probes. The case was criticized for fundamental flaws in evidence and legal procedures.
Posted inAML
U.K. proposed changes to AML supervision
The U.K.’s financial services regulator will take a more central role as part of the government’s plans to simplify—and improve—efforts to clamp down on money laundering and terrorist financing.
