On Feb. 6, 2024, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) adopted new Rules 3a5-44 and 3a44-2 (the final rules) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the Exchange
Continue Reading SEC Expands Dealer Registration RequirementsWilliam Mack
William B. Mack is a co-chair of the Financial Regulatory and Compliance Practice. He is experienced in advising companies on regulatory and compliance matters relating to the Securities and Exchange Commission regulations, the Exchange Act, Anti-Money Laundering laws and Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) rules.
William’s practice involves all aspects of broker-dealer regulation, including Self-Regulatory Organization (SRO) membership, supervision, employment, research, soft dollar arrangements, chaperoning of foreign broker-dealers, social media, use of foreign finders, anti-money laundering rules, alternative trading systems (ATS), exchanges, and market making issues. He also provides regulatory guidance to investment banking clients in connection with securities offerings and related trading issues.
Lawmakers Introduce Resolution to Nullify SEC’s Crypto Accounting Bulletin
U.S. Sen. Cynthia Lummis (R-WY) and Reps. Wiley Nickel (D-NC) and Mike Flood (R-NE) are working to overturn a controversial Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) staff accounting bulletin, SAB 121…
Continue Reading Lawmakers Introduce Resolution to Nullify SEC’s Crypto Accounting BulletinNYDFS Updates Guidance on Virtual Coin-Listing/Delisting Frameworks and the Greenlist
On Sept. 18, 2023, the New York State Department of Financial Services (NYDFS) issued a press release announcing updates to its ongoing oversight of the digital asset space, including (1)…
Continue Reading NYDFS Updates Guidance on Virtual Coin-Listing/Delisting Frameworks and the GreenlistProposed Legislation Would Create a Tiered Exemption from Broker Registration
If enacted, the Unlocking Capital Act would establish two investment professional categories—private placement brokers and finders. The legislation would allow these professionals to engage in many activities that, due to…
Continue Reading Proposed Legislation Would Create a Tiered Exemption from Broker RegistrationFINRA Approves Prometheum Ember Capital LLC to Operate as Special Purpose Broker-Dealer for Digital Assets
On May 17, 2023, Prometheum Ember Capital LLC (Prometheum Ember Capital), a subsidiary of Prometheum Inc., received approval from the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) to…
Continue Reading FINRA Approves Prometheum Ember Capital LLC to Operate as Special Purpose Broker-Dealer for Digital AssetsAre Syndicated Term Loans Securities Under Reves v. Ernst & Young? 2nd Circuit Solicits SEC Views
A holding subjecting Term Loan Bs to securities regulation would have a profound effect on the $1.4 trillion market for syndicated term loans and on financial institutions at a time of limited liquidity. …
Continue Reading Are Syndicated Term Loans Securities Under Reves v. Ernst & Young? 2nd Circuit Solicits SEC Views
2023 Report on FINRA’s Examination and Risk Monitoring Program
On Jan. 10, 2023, the Financial Regulatory Authority (FINRA) released its 2023 Report on FINRA’s Examination and Risk Monitoring Program (“Report”) in which it identifies the year’s areas of examination…
Continue Reading 2023 Report on FINRA’s Examination and Risk Monitoring ProgramCongress Codifies Longstanding M&A Broker Exemption from SEC Registration
On Dec. 29, 2022, President Biden signed into law H.R. 2617, the “Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2023.” Among the routine federal funding provisions, Title V of the bill, the “Small…
Continue Reading Congress Codifies Longstanding M&A Broker Exemption from SEC RegistrationSEC Proposes to Establish a New Best Execution Standard
On Dec. 14, 2022, Gary Gensler, Chair of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), released a statement announcing a proposal to establish an SEC rule setting forth a best…
Continue Reading SEC Proposes to Establish a New Best Execution StandardFINRA Files Amendments to Proposed Rule Change That Will Allow Remote Inspections
Last summer, the Financial Regulatory Authority (FINRA) proposed a rule change to its supervision rule (FINRA Rule 3110) to allow member firms to conduct remote inspections of some or all…
Continue Reading FINRA Files Amendments to Proposed Rule Change That Will Allow Remote Inspections