On November 19, 2020 the Securities and Exchange Commission’s Office of Compliance Inspections and Examinations released a risk alert relating to deficiencies in registered investment adviser’s compliance program.  Under Rule 206(4)-7  (the “Compliance Rule”) under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 (“Advisers Act”), it is unlawful for a registered investment adviser to provide investment advice…

On November 30th, LIBOR administrator, ICE Benchmark Administration (“IBA”), announced plans to ease worries surrounding LIBOR cessation with a brief extension to June 30, 2023.  IBA’s intention is to cease publication  (i)  of 1-week and 2-month USD LIBOR at the end of 2021 and (ii) subject to compliance with applicable regulations, including as to representativeness, it…

I.  Introduction In 2017, the UK’s Financial Conduct Authority (“FCA”) announced that it will not require the calculation and publication of interbank offered rates (“IBORS”) beyond 2021.  The absence of a guaranteed IBOR after 2021 has triggered one of the largest and intricate challenges that financial markets have confronted to date.  Trillions of dollars of…

On November 2, 2020, the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) voted to amend and simplify its rules governing private-offering exemptions under the Securities Act of 1933 (the “Securities Act”) to promote capital formation (the “Amendments”).[1]  The SEC release included discussion of their intent to remain true to the key components of their mission, namely investor…

On October 9, 2020, the International Swaps and Derivatives Association (“ISDA”) announced that it will release the IBOR Fallbacks Supplement to the 2006 ISDA Definitions (“Supplement”) and the ISDA 2020 IBOR Fallbacks Protocol (“Protocol”) on October 23, 2020, which will take effect on January 25, 2021 (the “Effective Date”).  The 2006 ISDA Definitions will include…

Today is the day that the New York Fed’s Alternative Reference Rates Committee (ARRC) recommended transition to a “hardwired” approach for LIBOR[i] successor provisions in U.S. dollar-denominated syndicated credit facilities takes effect.  Henceforth, to the extent not already utilized, all new syndicated business loans should include ARRC-recommended (or substantially similar) hardwired USD LIBOR fallback language.…

Back in July, the Securities and Exchange Commission proposed new rules that would substantially reduce the reporting thresholds for institutional investment managers (including hedge fund managers) under rule 13f-1 (and Form 13F).   Section 13(f) of the Securities Exchange Act and Rule 13f-1  (as currently in force) require that an investment manager file a report with…

The consideration of environmental, social and governance factors alongside financial factors in the investment decision-making process are increasingly popular ways for investors to evaluate companies and funds in which they may choose to invest.  According to the most recent report from US SIF Foundation, investors held $11.6 trillion in assets chosen according to ESG criteria…

The Securities and Exchange Commission’s (SEC) recent expansion of the definition of “accredited investor” in the final rule (Final Rule) issued on August 26, 2020, allows people with professional knowledge, experience or certifications to qualify as accredited investors, which is a highly welcome step that is creating quite a buzz!!  The Final Rule is particularly…

Today, the Securities and Exchange Commission adopted amendments to the “accredited investor” definition in Rule 501(a).  These are: adding a new category that permits natural persons to qualify as accredited investors based upon certain professional certifications, designations or credentials or other credentials issued by an accredited educational institutions which the Commission may designate from time…