The FINRA arbitration and enforcement landscape has been continuously reshaped with rule changes as well as complications due to Covid-19 restrictions and the resulting change to remote work. Thus, all affected professionals must keep themselves abreast of the emerging updates in this space.
In December 2020, the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) Board of Governors approved filing to the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) its proposed changes to the continuing education (CE) program under FINRA Rules 1210 and 1240.
With the new administration and several notable issues continuously emerging in the backdrop, an increase in enforcement actions is expected to hound the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) landscape bringing both complexity and new compliance challenges to businesses. Significant developments affecting large corporate FCPA settlements, multi-jurisdictional FCPA matters, and increased individual enforcement need crucial consideration and anticipation from companies and their counsel.
Critical and emerging issues surrounding Common Reporting Standard (CRS) continue to affect global financial institutions. More and more businesses are becoming vulnerable to financial risks and disputes because of the stiffer compliance requirements as well as the complexities brought by the COVID-19.
The anti-money laundering (AML) due diligence and compliance landscape continue to heighten with the passing of the Anti-Money Laundering Act of 2020 (AMLA). The AMLA, which is regarded as the most crucial AML legislation to date, was designed to modernize the anti-money laundering policy in the U.S. It also aims to strengthen the current financial system, improve government coordination, and streamline AML compliance obligations.
The continuous disruptions brought by the COVID-19 outbreak have significantly impacted the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) enforcement and compliance matters. To address the risks brought by the pandemic, the Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) have been continuously working hand in hand in providing updated guidelines for companies to ensure compliance with FCPA.
Accounts payable (AP) automation has continuously created positive buzz across industries in recent years. Along with its upward trend is the growing prominence of electronic invoicing or e-invoicing, an effective and efficient way of extracting and validating vast volumes of invoices received daily from different sources and in varied formats. As simpler platforms, e-invoicing and AP automation help companies – big or small – to eliminate the burden of costly and laborious manual processing.
When conducting internal investigations, companies face a myriad of complex and sensitive issues, including confidentiality, attorney-client privilege, and conflicts of interest. Adding to these issues are the new and evolving challenges arising from the COVID-19 pandemic. With internal investigations being conducted remotely, evidence collections and witness interviews have become more difficult to arrange.
A well-developed and properly executed internal audit provides businesses the opportunity to effectively measure their current progress, keep pace with the rapidly changing benchmarks, and maintain a competitive advantage in the market. However, the internal audit process can be both complex and challenging given today’s rapidly evolving business landscape.
The rising popularity of cryptocurrency constantly brings profound transformations in payment transactions. Every day, more and more businesses turn to cryptocurrency because of its decentralized structure, efficient transaction flow, and low operation cost. However, as new regulatory frameworks arise, companies relying on cryptocurrency become prone to government crackdowns and are exposed to legal and financial hurdles.
Several regulatory developments that further reshape the future of the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) have taken place over the last few months. Last August, California's Office of Administrative Law (OAL) has approved the enforcement regulations under CCPA, whereas the state's legislature has passed AB 1281, a bill that extends the CCPA compliance deadline for business-to-business (B2B) and employee data. Furthermore, in November 2020, Californians voted to approve the California Privacy Rights Act (CPRA) which significantly expands and strengthens the CCPA through a new set of consumer privacy rights.
Taught by leading experts in this field, our range of Risk & Compliance Continuing Education (CE) courses cut across many disciplines and are primarily designed to help mitigate risks in organizations and ensure they run smoothly based on relevant laws and policies.
The current financial legislation developments along with the evolving regulatory landscape have forced financial institutions to be one step ahead of the unique challenges that have emerged. Moreover, significant disruptions in the financial system stemming from the Anti-Money Laundering Act (AMLA) of 2020 have led to stricter enforcements and other important reforms.
The growing popularity of cryptocurrency has greatly impacted today’s banking and financial transactions, stirring more questions over its regulation. Additional discussions also emerge when it comes to the government’s initiatives to secure consumer data and resolve financial risks without stifling digital innovation.
The damaging effects of money laundering continue to be a global threat today. Not only do they pose risks to economic stability and the overall financial system, but they also constitute significant threats to national security.
