A new memorandum from President Trump directs increased federal scrutiny of race- and sex-based admissions practices at colleges and universities, however, its implications extend beyond higher education.
Regulatory Policy
FinCEN delays anti-money laundering rules for realtors and investment advisors until 2028
The Treasury Departmentโs Financial Crimes Enforcement Network is delaying an upcoming requirement that investment advisors and realtors begin screening clients for money laundering and other illegal activity.
DOJ warns against using proxies for DEI in federally funded programs
The DOJ is warning that simply scrubbing DEI-related words from policy documents or training materialsโand replacing them with thinly veiled proxiesโwill not protect federally funded organizations from legal scrutiny.ย
U.K. proposes streamlining regime meant to hold fin serve executives to account
When growth slows, governments often cut rules to attract investment, as the U.K. has in its financial services sector, which contributes 8.8% of GDP, but easing the โcompliance burdenโ raises concerns about oversight, governance, and prioritizing profits over safety.
Compliance teams urged to prepare as U.K. Employment Rights Bill nears passage
The U.K. Employment Rights Bill is expected to pass into law this year andย will affect millions of workers. Compliance managers are advised to hone their understanding of HR and equality issues in preparation.ย
EPA follows through on Trump threat and proposes killing air pollution rule
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has placed a decades-old rule that limits air pollution from cars and trucks on the chopping block, potentially endangering the Clean Air Act.
Cadence Design Systems pleads guilty to unlawfully exporting chip design tools to China, will pay $140M
Chip design software and hardware maker Cadence Design Systems agreed to plead guilty to unlawfully exporting semiconductor design tools to a restricted Chinese military university, the Department of Justice said in a statement. The California firm will pay over $140 million in criminal and civil pines and forfeitures, marking the latest effort by U.S. officials to restrict the flow of chip designs.
U.K. shake up of immigration rules for skilled worker visas should prompt compliance review
As of July 22, U.K. companies hiring foreign nationals on skilled worker visas face higher salary and qualification requirements. Over 100 jobs were also removed from the list of roles eligible for overseas recruitment. Compliance managers should ensure policies are updated to reflect the changes.
U.K. regulator urges auditors to explain AI use in audits
Plans to push audit firms to disclose how they use AI in audits have been broadly welcomed, but concerns remain over how corporate data is used, secured, retained, and potentially exposed.
SEC dodges commitment on climate rule enforcement
The SEC refused to say whether it would enforce its landmark Climate-Related Disclosure Rules in a status report filed Wednesday, deepening uncertainty as the regulation faces legal challenges.


