While the international COVID-19 outbreak continues to affect the lives of the world’s citizens and, by extension, the United States’ securities infrastructure, the SEC is taking steps to provide relief to firms and funds through delays in form filing and document delivery obligations.
As efforts to contain the COVID-19 virus expand worldwide, the SEC remains focused on maintaining a fair and orderly market and continuing its operations. The Commission has transitioned most of its staff to work remotely and conducts remote exams and enforcement.
On Feb. 11, 2020, the SEC released a new Frequently Asked Questions about Form CRS. Among other helpful information, the FAQs address that adviser affiliates of a registered adviser may jointly file a four-page Form rather than a two-page disclosure.
The SEC proposed changes to the definition of an “accredited investor.” Until this point, the accredited investor definition has been limited to evaluating only an individual’s income or net worth. With the proposed changes, the Commission hopes to increase access to investments in private capital markets.
On Dec. 10, 2019, the Securities and Exchange Commission released information that an adviser, Kornitzer Capital Management, Inc. (KCM), and its principal, John Kornitzer, were charged with breaching their fiduciary duty to clients and failing to implement proper policies and procedures.
OCIE released a Risk Alert outlining common compliance observations among investment companies, money market funds, and target date funds. The alert outlines general weaknesses and deficiencies that OCIE staff noticed during recent examinations.