US ‘accredited investor’ amendment to expand product reach

North America | Regulations & Legal

03 Sep 2020 by Lavanya Nair & Pablo Conde

The US Securities and Exchange Commission has announced amendments to the definition of a crucial test that determines investors’ eligibility to participate in its private capital markets, known as the accredited investor.

What happened with the Priips 2020 review?

Europe | Regulations & Legal

02 Sep 2020 by Tim Mortimer - FVC

The Priips regime has had another difficult year in 2020. This ambitious regulation came into force at the start of 2018 (at the same time as its cousin Mifid 2) and applies to all packaged retail investments issued in the EU.

Swedish regulator sounds alarm on advice as it suspends provider

Europe | Regulations & Legal

27 Aug 2020 by Pablo Conde

Sweden’s Finansinspektion (FI) has withdrawn the authorisation of securities firm Exceed Capital Sverige AB. According to FI’s decision, Exceed will be suspended and may no longer conduct regulated business as of 2 September.

Efama: Priips regime in limbo

Europe | Regulations & Legal

24 Aug 2020 by Pablo Conde

The European trade body is calling for an immediate extension of the Ucits exemption, as well as an urgent Level 1 review of the regulation.

Watchdog pushes for investor education as annuity sales drop

North America | Regulations & Legal

07 Aug 2020 by Lavanya Nair & Amélie Labbe

The US Securities and Exchange Commission’s (SEC) office of investor education and advocacy has updated its bulletin on broadening client knowledge of indexed annuities.

South Korea imposes new restrictions on structured products

Asia Pacific | Regulations & Legal

03 Aug 2020 by Summer Wang & Pablo Conde

The Financial Services Commission has released a series of measures to strengthen currency liquidity for securities firms and set up two platforms for investors in response to an increase in issuance of structured products in South Korea.

Speedbumps ahead for Libor transition: is SOFR fit for purpose?

International | Regulations & Legal

28 Jul 2020 by Lavanya Nair

The US Federal Financial Institutions Examination Council (FFIEC) has warned of potential risks ahead as the market transitions away from the London Interbank Offered Rate (Libor) benchmark to the Secured Overnight Financing Rate (SOFR) by December 2021.

US pension fund takes Allianz to court for structured fund trading breaches

North America | Regulations & Legal

23 Jul 2020 by Lavanya Nair & Pablo Conde

Registered investment adviser Allianz Global Investors (AllianzGI) has been accused of breaching fiduciary and contractual duties over specific investments in structured products by a multi million-dollar retirement plan, Arkansas Teacher Retirement System (ATRS).

Philippines regulator releases new hedging/brokerage guidelines

Asia Pacific | Regulations & Legal

23 Jul 2020 by Summer Wang & Pablo Conde

The monetary board of the Philippines central bank, Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) is seeking public comment on the amendments introduced to the country’s derivatives regulatory framework.