MFDF News Feed

January 26, 2022

EY noted that although risk management has climbed higher on the corporate board agenda, its survey of 510 global directors found some dissatisfaction in the perceptions of directors on enterprise risk management. “Despite the criticality of risk management, many board members lack confidence in their organization’s capabilities."

January 25, 2022

The research brief summarizes and tabulates the studies that seek to answer questions, such as: Do investments managed by women or minorities (or by firms owned by women or minorities) outperform or underperform?

January 24, 2022

On Wednesday, January 26, 2022 from 12-1 p.m. ET, lawyers from Ropes & Gray will discuss recent amendments to the SEC’s Marketing Rule in a Ropes & Gray webinar.

January 20, 2022

“It is difficult to get an interval fund onto distribution platforms if its assets are below $100 million, but it is a challenge to raise assets unless the fund is on a platform, which threatens its survival,” according to the paper.

January 19, 2022

SIFMA, the leading trade association for broker-dealers, commented that the securities lending proposal would result impose significant costs; and could have an adverse impact on the securities lending market.

January 18, 2022

A list of webinars that examined how fund directors can think about recent trends such as ESG, Crypto, SPACs, closed-end fund activism, in their oversight role.

January 13, 2022

Q: We are looking into hiring a new independent fund director for our registered funds in 2022. Do you have a checklist or timeline or another material that could aid in the process?

January 12, 2022

In this webinar, the Forum staff will talk with Steven Rogers, an independent director on the Oakmark Funds board and former Harvard Business School professor, about his book A Letter to My White Friends and Colleagues: What You can do Now to Help the Black Community. This webinar will broadcast live from 2 pm - 3 pm (ET).

January 11, 2022

A list of Forum webinars on derivatives, valuation, and others, highlighting how these regulations will affect the oversight of funds in the coming year.

January 10, 2022

The Oliver Wyman report outlined potential bright spots for the industry, including savings from the virtual work environment and a more digitized business model.

January 6, 2022

The report touches on diversity issues in the general workforce at each investment firm, the company’s board of directors, procurement and services providers, asset management, and underwriting procurement. The report also puts forth recommendations on potential legislative proposals to address diversity issues.

January 5, 2022

The annual report addresses vulnerabilities in the financial sector related to climate change, leverage in the nonfinancial corporate sector, the LIBOR transition, market impact of a central counterparty default, cybersecurity, digital assets, and certain parts of the financial market structure, among other issues.

January 4, 2022

“Together, these amendments are designed to reduce the likelihood of runs on money market funds during periods of stress,” said SEC Chairman Gary Gensler.

December 23, 2021

The agency filed 697 total enforcement actions in fiscal year 2021, including the 434 new actions, 120 actions against issuers who were delinquent in making required filings with the SEC, and 143 “follow-on” administrative proceedings seeking bars against individuals based on criminal convictions, civil injunctions, or other orders.

December 22, 2021

Lawyers from Stradley wrote that the risk alert should be considered in light of the broader examination by the SEC of digital engagement practices prompted by the “meme stock” frenzy last spring.

December 21, 2021

Birdthistle joined the faculty at Chicago-Kent College of Law in 2006 and also has served as a visiting professor of law at the University of Chicago Law School. He has served as counsel of record on multiple amicus briefs to the U.S. Supreme Court. Prior to academia, he practiced law at Ropes & Gray in Boston for five years.

December 21, 2021

Chair Gensler in a statement thanked Roisman for his service, saying: “I’d like to thank Commissioner Roisman for his dedicated service to the Commission and to the American public, both as a Commissioner and as Acting Chairman. While we didn’t always agree on policy matters, I’ve come to rely on his judgment and expertise, and I have enjoyed a positive working relationship with him.”

December 20, 2021

In the latest issue of its ETF Roundup, Morgan Lewis provides a guide to recent legal and regulatory developments affecting the ETF industry. The publication includes commentary on conversions of mutual funds to ETFs, crypto assets in ETFs, recent tax regulations that affect ETFs, among other topics.

December 16, 2021

The study found that a self-designated ESG label helps mutual funds attract more flows than their non-ESG peers with otherwise similar characteristics, even if labeling the fund as ESG is in conflict with Morningstar’s objective Globe ratings.

December 14, 2021

Stacy Louizos with Blank and Rome’s Investment Management Group will discuss how boards can approach their governance practices, policies and documents - including bylaws and charters - in an evolving landscape of new regulation and SEC positions, diversity mandates and other ESG considerations, industry consolidation and COVID-19 considerations.