Compliance & Ethics

Swiss Regulator Cracks Down on HSBC Over Money Laundering Lapses

The Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority (FINMA) has cracked down on HSBC Private Bank (Suisse) SA for serious violations of anti-money laundering laws involving two politically exposed persons (PEPs).

European Supervisory Authorities Propose Enhancements to Sustainable Finance Disclosure Regulation

Today, the three European Supervisory Authorities (ESAs)—the European Banking Authority (EBA), the European Insurance and Occupational Pensions Authority (EIOPA), and the European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA)—published a joint Opinion on the Sustainable Finance Disclosure Regulation (SFDR). This collective assessment calls for a more coherent sustainable finance framework that supports the green transition while enhancing consumer protection, based on insights gained from the current functioning of the SFDR.

PCAOB Sanctions 3 Firms for Failing to Comply with Reporting Requirements

The Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (PCAOB) announced today that it is sanctioning three accounting firms - KKM CPA Associates PLLC, BDO Chartered Accountants & Advisors, and De Visser Gray LLP - for violating rules and regulations by failing to comply with PCAOB reporting requirements.

CFTC Hits Trafigura with $55M Penalty, Awards Whistleblower in Dramatic Day

The Commodity Futures Trading Commission has ordered Trafigura Trading LLC, a major global commodities merchant, to pay $55 million to settle charges of fraud, market manipulation, and impeding communications with the agency.

Consulting Firms to Pay $11.3M for Cybersecurity Lapses in Federal Contract

Guidehouse Inc. and its subcontractor Nan McKay and Associates have agreed to pay $11.3 million to resolve allegations that they violated the False Claims Act by failing to meet cybersecurity testing requirements for a system used to process pandemic rental assistance applications in New York.

OCC Announces Enforcement Actions Against Banks in June

The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) took a series of enforcement actions against national banks, federal savings associations, and individuals formerly affiliated with OCC-supervised institutions, according to details released by the regulator on Friday.

FINRA Fines GlobaLink Securities $200K for Unfair Pricing, Best Execution Failures

GlobaLink Securities Inc., a broker-dealer based in Pasadena, California, has agreed to pay a $200,000 fine and make restitution of nearly $400,000 to customers to settle charges by the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) related to unfair pricing and best execution practices.