All articles by Joe Mont – Page 78
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Article
CFPB Proposes New Rules for Prepaid Cards, Mobile Payments
Banks, retailers, online services, and others that issue prepaid cards to consumers will soon have some new rules to follow, including the need to conduct “ability to repay” assessments if they offer credit options. The rules, proposed by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, could also bring new regulations to mobile ...
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Article
Behind the Latest Push to Win Proxy Access for Shareholders
Image: Title: StringerThree years after a lawsuit scuttled the SEC’s proxy access rule, a new push is underway to give shareholders the right to nominate directors directly on the proxy. New York City Comptroller Scott Stringer, on behalf of the $160 billion New York City pension funds, recently submitted proxy ...
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Blog
Study Delves Into the Extensive Costs of Non-Compliance
What’s the true cost of non-compliance? A study by Thomson Reuters makes the case that fines, while significant and growing, may be the least of what should worry companies that run afoul of regulations. Broader financial implications can include the end of a business line, an inability to sell specific ...
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Blog
SEC Approves Rule Requiring Technology Safeguards
Image: Nov. 19—Despite concerns that it may be too limited in its current form, the SEC unanimously approved Regulation SCI, new rules intended to strengthen the technology infrastructure of securities markets, improve their resilience, and enhance the Commission’s ability to oversee them. The rule includes attestation requirements for chief executive ...
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Blog
Court Gives SEC Another Chance to Defend Conflict Minerals Rule
The court that struck down parts of the SEC’s conflict minerals disclosure rule has agreed to give the agency another chance to make its case. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia said it will permit the SEC to file a supplemental brief, setting the stage for ...
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ArticleShop Talk: Laying the Foundation of Good Compliance and Governance.
True, one size does not fit all, but there are still some common aspects that most high-functioning compliance and governance programs share, such as fostering a strong ethical culture, communicating effectively, and retaining a level of independence. During our latest executive roundtable, hosted with The Boeing Co. in Dallas, compliance ...
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ArticleShop Talk: Laying the Foundation of Good Compliance and Governance
True, one size does not fit all, but there are still some common aspects that most high-functioning compliance and governance programs share, such as fostering a strong ethical culture, communicating effectively, and retaining a level of independence. During our latest executive roundtable, hosted with The Boeing Co. in Dallas, compliance ...
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Article
A New Congress Will Bring New Chances to Alter Regulatory Landscape
The midterm elections brought a much stronger position in Congress to Republicans. While it may not be enough to give them the clout they need to make vast legislative changes, it has given them hold on the purse strings. With control of the budgeting process, and a potential new willingness ...
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Blog
GAO Faults SEC for Internal Control Deficiencies
The message from the Government Accountability Office to the Securities and Exchange Commission: practice what you preach. A new, 176-page report from the government watchdog faults the agency for “a significant deficiency" in internal controls for its Investor Protection Fund.
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Blog
Pension Funds Target 75 Companies with New Proxy Access Plan
New York City Comptroller Scott Stringer, on behalf of the city's $160 billion pension funds has filed 75 proxy access shareowner proposals requesting bylaws that give shareowners who meet an ownership threshold the right to list their director candidates on a company’s ballot. The proposals will be subject to ...
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Blog
New Conflict Minerals Reporting Template Improves Smelter Identification
Image: Title: RohwerThe latest version of the Conflict Free Sourcing Initiative’s Conflict Minerals Reporting Template is now available. The report provides information on which countries smelters and refiners get their minerals from. The latest version of the report provides improved translations and a more accurate approach to smelter identification. “By ...
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Article
What SEC Rulemaking Generates the Most Buzz?
What rule proposals and petitions before the SEC attract the most comment letters? Not surprisingly, investors and their advocates flooded the SEC’s mailbox with form letters supporting measures such as enhanced whistleblower protections and disclosure of political contributions. Less feedback came from corporate representatives concerned with new rules on the ...
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Article
Separation Conundrum: Should Compliance Be Independent of Legal?
Image: Title: RubinDespite the ongoing push for companies to separate the compliance and legal functions, giving chief compliance officers greater independence than they might otherwise enjoy while reporting to the general counsel, not everyone agrees it’s the only way to go. “I don’t think there is a right or wrong ...
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Blog
Companies Lack Transparency on Foreign Operations, Report Says
The world’s largest companies don’t disclose much information about operations outside their home country and are often tight-lipped about anticorruption efforts, says a new report from Transparency International. The lack of granularity, it adds, will leave the largest oil, gas, and mining companies ill-prepared for forthcoming rules from the European ...
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Blog
Podcast: Banks Double Down on AML Compliance
A recent survey by accounting firm Kaufman Rossin found that many banks plan sizeable increases to their budget for anti-money laundering compliance over the next 12 months. In this week’s podcast, we talk to Ivan Garces, a risk advisory services principal at accounting firm Kaufman Rossin about the evolving risk ...
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Blog
Study: Whistleblowers Are Even More Costly Than You Thought
When whistleblowers tip off the government with information about corporate wrongdoing, the damage can be more costly than otherwise expected, according to a new study. Even before the SEC started offering rewards for actionable information, the assistance of one or more tipsters in an enforcement action increased penalties by an ...
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Podcast
Podcast: Banks Double Down on AML Compliance
A recent survey by accounting firm Kaufman Rossin found that many banks plan sizeable increases to their budget for anti-money laundering compliance over the next 12 months. In this week’s podcast, we talk to Ivan Garces, a risk advisory services principal at accounting firm Kaufman Rossin about the evolving risk ...
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Blog
SEC Hits Companies for Stock Dilution Disclosure Failures
The SEC has issued enforcement actions against 10 companies that failed to make required disclosures about financing deals and other unregistered sales that diluted their stock. The companies all agreed to settle the SEC’s charges, and the agency assessed a total of $350,000 in penalties.
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Blog
ISS Updates Policies Ahead of Upcoming Proxy Season
Proxy advisory firm ISS has updated its policies and recommendation criteria for 2015 annual meetings. The updates build upon ongoing outreach to companies and investors on such matters as pay for performance; board accountability; boardroom diversity; equity plan evaluation; risk oversight and audit; cross-market listings; and environmental and social performance ...
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Blog
Federal Reserve Places New Limits on Large Banks
The Federal Reserve Board has approved a rule that places new limits on mergers and acquisitions in the banking industry, effectively slowing the growth of the largest institutions in yet another strike against “too big to fail” banks. The rule prohibits a financial company from combining with another company if ...