MFDF News Feed
The MFDF News Feed is an electronic journal, or "blog," of alerts, analysis, news and tools focused on the needs of independent directors. Click here to subscribe to the MFDF News Feed and have it delivered electronically to your e-mail inbox.
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April 28, 2021
Calls Grow for Regulation in LIBOR TransitionFed Chairman Powell and Vice Chair Quarles have publicly stated their support for federal legislation to mitigate risks related to legacy contracts.
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April 27, 2021
How Morningstar Assesses Portfolio Manager Changes on FundsMorningstar's Russ Kinnel explains why some portfolio management team changes might lead to a change in a fund’s “People” rating while others may not.
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April 26, 2021
Adviser Winds Down Funds After a Valuation FalloutReuters reports that the Infinity Q case raises questions over whether independent parties that oversee funds do enough to independently confirm portfolio pricing.
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April 22, 2021
IM Staff Withdraws Letters Issued Prior to Adoption of Derivatives RuleConsistent with the adopted rule and the discussion in the related release, the staff is withdrawing staff statements relating to section 18 and section 12(a) of the 1940 Act.
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April 21, 2021
Top Asset Managers Lobby Against FTC Antitrust ProposalsProposal would require firms to file for antitrust review any time a manager’s collective funds reach certain thresholds, in some cases holdings of more than 10% of a company.
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April 20, 2021
SEC’s Examinations Division Highlights ESG Compliance DeficienciesSEC staff observed instances of potentially misleading statements regarding ESG investing processes and representations regarding the adherence to global ESG frameworks.
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April 19, 2021
Dechert to Host Roundtable on SPACs on April 21In the upcoming webinar, lawyers Joni Jacobsen, Neil Steiner and Curtis Weber will discuss the specific issues and concerns for private fund managers, and the potential securities litigation that can arise at each stage of the SPAC life cycle.
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April 15, 2021
PwC Experts Explore Psychology Underlying Board Group DynamicsThe article identifies four overarching dynamics that can hold boards back: deference to authority, groupthink, a preference for the status quo, and confirmation bias.
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April 14, 2021
Gary Gensler Confirmed as SEC ChairGensler is expected to take up issues important to progressives such as disclosures related to climate risks and ESG.
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April 14, 2021
Fidelity, Coinbase, Square, Form Cryptocurrency Trade GroupThe lobbying group said the alliance will support governments and institutions worldwide by informing and encouraging responsible crypto-related public policy, and will educate the public about crypto’s potential to create positive change.
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April 12, 2021
MFDF Webinar: Registered Fund Tax: There’s Nothing to Be Afraid OfDuring this webinar, Cohen & Company's team will provide a board-level discussion on tax topics that are most impactful to registered funds.
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April 8, 2021
Preparing Audit Committee for Challenges; CAQ Updates External Auditor Assessments ToolGovernance experts from Deloitte acknowledged that as companies shifted to the virtual environment “boards and audit committees had to find new ways to engage with management and their auditors in order to effectively execute their oversight responsibilities.”
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April 7, 2021
Morningstar Steps Up Use of Machine-Generated Investment ReportsThe machine-generated reports feed Morningstar’s fund analyst ratings, which run through gold, silver, and bronze to neutral or negative, but are separate from Morningstar’s star ratings system.
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April 6, 2021
Paper Recommends Strategies to Limit Barriers to Women in LeadershipThe paper describes two drivers as pivotal to women reaching executive roles despite barriers: hard-to-find sponsors leveling the playing field and certain innate personality traits.
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April 5, 2021
MFDF Webinar: Emerging Markets EquitiesJan Hopkins, independent director of Franklin Templeton Investments, will discuss with Stephen Dover, chief market strategist at Franklin Templeton Investments, on emerging markets vs. other investments and how to to evaluation the portfolio management, risks, and investment process of the funds.
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April 1, 2021
ETFs Score ESG Gains; European Rules Catch up With US Fund ManagersThe report using data from FactSet said ESG-focused ETFs have 43% higher fees than popular standard ETFs, with the average fee at 0.2 compared to 0.14 for the standard U.S. large-cap ETF.
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March 31, 2021
Nicsa Calls for Participation in Industry Diversity SurveyThe data gathered will help Nicsa to benchmark where the industry is (and where it’s come from, and where it’s going) from a DE&I perspective.
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March 30, 2021
MFDF Webinar: Asset Management M&A for Fund Directors – Recent Trends and Governance IssuesChristopher Healey and Kate O’Neil from Simpson Thacher will provide an overview of recent trends in asset management M&A transactions and discuss related board governance considerations.
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March 29, 2021
MFDF EVENT: Modernizing Board Oversight of Mutual Funds, Emerging ChallengesJoin speakers as they discuss how an evolving competitive landscape creates new challenges for mutual fund boards and also for the SEC.
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March 25, 2021
Dear Board Doc: How to Onboard Directors During PandemicOnly a handful of fund boards have brought on new directors since the pandemic caused the nationwide shutdown about a year ago. Overall, these boards report that the onboarding process has been a unique experience yet they have managed to successfully integrate their new members.
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