More liquidity, transparency, and safety for institutional investors?
The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) recently adopted final rules on money market (2a-7) fund reforms. These reforms are designed to make money market funds more resilient and liquid, potentially making them safer and more attractive vehicles for mutual funds to use as collateral pools for their securities lending programs.
Persuasive Public Comment Helps Mold the Final Rule
The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has adopted a new rule, rule 10c-1, to increase transparency in the securities lending market. The rule requires certain persons to report information about securities loans to a registered national securities association (RNSA). The RNSA will then make certain information publicly available. Published in December of 2021, the proposal received considerable public comment, requiring the Commission to extend the initial 30-day comment period twice, once due to a technical problem receiving comments, and then again to consider whether there would be any effects of proposed Rule 13f–2 that the Commission should consider in connection with proposed Rule 10c–1. Throughout the final release, the Commission notes where persuasive public comment informed the ultimate text of the rule.
Rogue Trader's Collapse Still Ripples Through the Financial Industry
Archegos Capital Management, a family office run by Bill Hwang, collapsed in March 2021, leaving its counterparties with over $10 billion in losses. The SEC, CFTC, and DOJ have all filed charges against Archegos and its executives, alleging that they engaged in market manipulation and fraud. The litigation is still ongoing, but the case has already significantly affected the financial industry.
The Industry Waits for Final Action from the SEC
In early 2022, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) proposed several significant changes to Regulations 13D and 13G, which require certain persons to disclose their beneficial ownership of equity securities. These changes seek to improve the transparency and timeliness of beneficial ownership reporting and to make it easier for investors to access and understand this information. The Commission has not yet finalized the proposal, but the SEC's stated date for final action, April 2023, has passed, and the industry is watching the SEC's agenda closely, with final action overdue.
A Busy Mix of New Business and Old
In its recently updated regulatory flexibility agenda, the Securities and Exchange Commission has set its priorities for 2023. A mix of old and new business, the Commission's 2023 plans include finalizing 29 existing proposals and placing 23 new proposals up for consideration.