Regulators skew virtual with summer events calendar

Financial Industry Regulatory Authority

• Virtual Conference Panels: FINRA has assembled a running list of virtual events, including the following:
  • Financial Crimes, Trends and Responses – In the Midst of the Pandemic;
  • How to Protect Yourself and Your Firm from Cyberattacks When Working from Home During COVID-19;
  • Regulation Best Interest and Form CRS: Where Are We Now;
  • Regulation Best Interest: Compliance Inspections and Examinations; and
  • Social Distancing and the Impact on Older Investors.

Governmental Accounting Standards Board

• Conceptual Framework—Disclosure Framework Public Hearing: July 28 (Webinar). The objective of this project is to consider concepts related to a framework for the development and evaluation of notes to financial statements for the purpose of improving the effectiveness of note disclosures in government financial reports. The framework will establish criteria for the Board to use in evaluating potential note disclosure requirements during future standards-setting activities and in reexamining existing note disclosure requirements. Those concepts also will provide governments a basis for considering the essentiality of information items for which GASB does not specifically provide authoritative disclosure guidance. Click here for more information.

Internal Revenue Service

• Foreign Payments Practice: Qualified Intermediary Certification Process: June 18 (Webinar). Describe the major differences between the prior and current QI/WP/WT agreements; list the different components of QI/WP/WT compliance and major areas of responsibility that must be reviewed during the Periodic Review; describe the Certification Process; prepare information for completing the Certification; navigate the QI/WP/WT Certification within the QI/WP/WT Application and Account Management System; locate resources that will assist in navigating and responding to the questions within the certification system; maintain awareness of current QI/WP/WT issues; and take part in a live Q&A.

Office of the Comptroller of the Currency

• Compliance Risk: What Directors Need to Know: Sept. 22 (St. Louis). This one-day workshop combines lectures, discussions, and exercises designed specifically for outside directors of national community banks and federal savings associations to: understand the critical elements of an effective compliance risk management program; review major compliance risks and critical regulations, such as BSA and the Equal Credit Opportunity Act; identify compliance red flags and hot topics; learn about common OCC examination findings related to compliance risk; and answer your questions.

Public Company Accounting Oversight Board

• Webinar for Audit Committee Members: July 8. The session will provide an overview of the PCAOB’s new inspection reports; auditing and inspecting audits in the COVID-19 environment; new and recent auditing standards activity (e.g., estimates, specialists, critical audit matters, and systems of quality control); data and technology; and audience Q&A. The Webinar is open to public company audit committee members and include speakers: Chairman William Duhnke; Chief Auditor Megan Zietsman; Deputy Director of Inspections Christina Gunia; and Stakeholder Liaison Erin Dwyer.

Securities and Exchange Commission

• Market Structure Discussion: June 22 (Webinar). Chairman Jay Clayton and SEC’s Division of Trading and Markets Director Brett Redfearn will hold a conversation on market structure. The event will also feature remarks from Department of Justice Assistant Attorney General Makan Delrahim of the Antitrust Division and a representative from the MIT Sloan School of Management.
• New York Regional Office Educational Call on COVID-Related Fraud: June 23 (Telephone). The SEC’s New York Regional Office will host an educational telephone town hall about avoiding scams related to COVID-19. The call is free and open to all investors and those planning for their financial future. Joining the high-ranking SEC officials to share their insights will be the U.S. Attorney for the District of New Jersey and the President of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority Foundation. 
• A Conversation with SEC Chairman Jay Clayton: Long-term Investing, Sustainability, and the Role of Disclosures: June 23 (Webinar). FCLT Global will host a virtual conversation with Clayton and Mark Wiseman. This informal interview will center around Clayton’s views on the importance and role of disclosures and provide thoughts on how companies, investors, and standard-setters can clarify and advance the development of appropriate disclosures. 

U.S. Department of the Treasury

• Small-business lending fund Webinars: The Department of the Treasury offers small-business lending fund Webinars in conjunction with Promontory Interfinancial Network, with such topics as: “SBLF Supplemental Reports Explained for Banks” (July 14, Aug. 18, Sept. 8, Sept. 13, and Sept. 15); and “For CDLFs: How to Apply for the SBLF” (June 20).