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FINRA fines firm for alleged financial risk management failures
On July 30, the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) entered into a Letter of Acceptance, Waiver and Consent (AWC), fining a global securities firm $650,000 for allegedly failing to “establish, document, and maintain a system of risk management controls and supervisory procedures reasonably designed to manage the financial risks of its market access business activity.” As a result, because the firm’s controls allegedly failed to monitor and prevent (i) orders exceeding pre-set customer credit thresholds, or (ii) erroneous orders, the firm executed erroneous orders on “at least two trade dates.” Additionally, FINRA claimed that even though the firm knew internally of the potential issues in its financial risk management controls, in several instances it took years for the identified gaps to be fixed. The firm neither admitted nor denied the findings set forth in the AWC agreement but agreed to pay the fine and complete a review of its financial risk management controls and supervisory procedures to ensure compliance with SEC regulations.
CFTC awards $9 million to whistleblower
On July 27, the CFTC announced an approximately $9 million whistleblower award to a claimant who reported “specific, credible and timely” information that led to a successful Commodity Exchange Act (CEA) enforcement action. The associated order notes that the claimant voluntarily provided original information leading to the opening of an investigation and the enforcement action, and was under no “legal obligation” to provide the information. The order does not provide any other significant details about the information provided or the related enforcement action. The CFTC has awarded approximately $120 million to whistleblowers since the enactment of its Whistleblower Program under the Dodd-Frank Act, and whistleblower information has led to nearly $950 million in monetary relief.
SEC’s new exam team focuses on emerging threats
On July 28, the SEC announced the creation of the Event and Emerging Risks Examination Team (EERT), which will “proactively engage with financial firms about emerging threats and current market events.” Specifically, the new team will be held in the agency’s Office of Compliance Inspections and Examinations (OCIE) and will work collaboratively with OCIE’s exam staff in regional offices to, among other things, (i) ensure that firms are “better prepared” to address existing threats and emerging risks; and (ii) provide expertise and support in response to market events that place investor assets at risk, such as cyber-security or operational resiliency concerns.
Massachusetts Securities Division extends emergency notice easing certain requirements for securities filings
On July 30, the Massachusetts Securities Division extended its emergency notice (previously covered here), which grants relief from signature and notarization requirements in corporate finance filings and grants relief for registered financial professionals during the Covid-19 outbreak. Specifically, the division will not require manual signatures or notarizations for securities applications and securities notice filings, among others, and will instead accept evidence of electronic signatures or copies of signed documents. With respect to certain financial professionals, the division has also provided relief relating to (i) physical signatures required on Forms U4, (ii) the submission of Criminal Offender Record Information forms in connection with an application for registration, and (iii) annual update filings and document delivery requirements. The relief is effective through August 31, 2020, unless extended or rescinded.
Federal Reserve Board expands counterparties eligible to transact in facilities
On July 23, the Federal Reserve Board announced the expansion of counterparties eligible to transact with and provide services in the Term Asset-Backed Securities Loan Facility, Secondary Market Corporate Credit Facility, and Commercial Paper Funding Facility (previously discussed here, here, here, here). These facilities were created pursuant to section 13(3) of the Federal Reserve Act with the objective of increasing the movement of credit to households, businesses, and the economy.
SEC issues $3.8 million whistleblower award
On July 14, the SEC announced a $3.8 million award to a whistleblower in an enforcement action. According to the SEC’s press release, the whistleblower “provided significant information that helped the SEC disrupt an ongoing fraudulent scheme,” which resulted in “millions of dollars” being returned to harmed investors. The formal order also states that the information the whistleblower provided was “discrete and narrow in scope.”
As of June 14, the SEC has awarded 87 individuals a total of approximately $505 million in whistleblower awards since its first award in 2012.
Maryland Commissioner of Financial Regulation issues advisories on customer identification for depository and non-depository institutions
On July 15, the Maryland Commissioner of Financial Regulation issued industry advisories to depository and non-depository institutions on identification requirements for customers. In light of an executive order extending the expiration date for certain licenses, permits, and registrations, depository and non-depository institutions may continue to accept driver’s licenses and/or identification cards that expired or are eligible for renewal after March 12, 2020.
SEC issues $18.5 million civil penalty for unregistered digital token offering
On June 26, the SEC announced a settlement with two offshore entities, resolving allegations that the entities violated federal securities laws by raising more than $1.7 billion in unregistered digital token offerings. As previously covered by InfoBytes, in October 2019, the SEC obtained a temporary restraining order, halting the offerings. According to the SEC, the entities violated Sections 5(a) and 5(c) of the Securities Act by failing to register its offers and sales of securities with the SEC. Prior to the restraining order, the entities had sold approximately 2.9 million digital tokens worldwide, including more than 1 billion tokens to 39 U.S. purchasers. The settlement requires the entities to return more than $1.2 billion to investors in “ill-gotten gains” from the token offerings. Additionally, the parent company is required to pay an $18.5 million civil penalty and give proactive notice to the SEC before participating in any digital asset issuances for the next three years. The entities entered into the settlement without admitting or denying the allegations in the SEC’s complaint.
Florida Office of Financial Regulation issues emergency order regarding certain filing deadlines
On June 26, the Florida Office of Financial Regulation issued Emergency Order 2020-04, which extends filing deadlines for certain licenses. Specifically, any deadlines falling in May 2020 for mortgage brokers and lenders to file mortgage call reports, money services businesses to file quarterly reports, and for both to file financial reports have been suspended and tolled for a period of 30 days from the existing filing deadlines, unless extended by subsequent order. Additionally, the deadline occurring in the months of March, April, or May for any holder of a securities registration to file an annual updating amendment or financial statement is suspended and tolled through June 30, 2020, unless extended by subsequent order.
SEC issues two separate whistleblower awards totaling over $800,000
On June 23, the SEC announced a $125,000 award to a whistleblower in an enforcement action. According to the press release, the whistleblower’s “information and assistance helped both the SEC and another agency bring successful actions against the perpetrator of a fraudulent securities offering.” The formal order notes that the whistleblower’s information helped the SEC and another agency discover “a fraudulent scheme that preyed on a vulnerable investor community” and that the whistleblower provided assistance to the SEC and the other agency throughout the investigation.
Additionally, on June 19, the SEC announced a nearly $700,000 award to a whistleblower in an enforcement action. According to the press release, the whistleblower’s “significant information helped the agency bring a successful enforcement action that resulted in the return of money to harmed investors.” The formal order notes that the whistleblower reported the concerns internally “in an effort to remedy the conduct,” and provided ongoing assistance to the agency throughout the investigation.
These press releases also noted that as of June 23, the SEC has awarded 85 individuals a total of approximately $501 million in whistleblower awards since its first award in 2012.