Regulatory Developments
SEC Releases Draft Strategic Plan
On June 19, the SEC published a draft strategic plan through the 2022 fiscal year focusing on three primary goals, including focusing on the long-term interests of Main Street investors, recognizing significant developments and trends in evolving capital markets and adjusting the SEC’s efforts to ensure effective allocation of resources, and elevating the SEC’s performance by enhancing its analytical capabilities and human capital development. The plan incorporates the use and monitoring of technology, including addressing cybersecurity concerns within the SEC and using technological tools to uncover potential risks to the markets and consumers. It also addresses the need to adapt to changes in the markets and calls for a reassessment of the regulations and tools employed to benefit the long-term interests of Main Street investors. These strategies aim to further the SEC’s efforts in maintaining strong and resilient capital markets. The draft plan was prepared in accordance with the Government Performance and Results Modernization Act of 2010, which requires federal agencies to outline their missions, planned initiatives, and strategic goals for a four-year period. Comments on the draft plan will be accepted for 30 days after publication in the Federal Register.
SEC Amends Regulations Under FOIA
On June 25, the SEC adopted amendments to its regulations under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). Amendments to the SEC’s FOIA regulations, which make certain SEC records available to the public, are designed to (a) conform to the FOIA Improvement Act of 2016; (b) clarify the procedures for submitting FOIA requests and administrative appeals; (c) revise the fee procedures and schedule; and (d) eliminate repetitive provisions that merely restate provisions from the FOIA statute. Four comment letters were submitted in regard to the proposed rulemaking. In response to some of those comments, the fee-related definitions of “educational institution” and “representative of the news media” or “news media requester” were amended to clarify and broaden the definitions. The final rule will become effective 30 days after publication in the Federal Register.
SEC Names Chief Counsel of the Division of Investment Management
On June 21, the SEC announced that Paul G. Cellupica has been named Chief Counsel of the Division of Investment Management (Division), succeeding Doug Scheidt, who retired from the SEC in September 2017. Mr. Cellupica served in a number of capacities in the Division and the Division of Enforcement from 1996 to 2004, and rejoined the Commission as Deputy Director of the Division in November 2017. He will continue serving as the Division’s Deputy Director. In his role leading the Division’s Chief Counsel’s Office, Mr. Cellupica and his staff will be responsible for, among other things, responding to requests for legal and policy guidance, evaluating applications for exemptive relief, and overseeing the Division’s enforcement liaison program.
Enforcement & Litigation
BlackRock Summary Judgment Decision
On June 13, in a case closely watched by the mutual fund industry, the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey issued a decision denying summary judgment of a consolidated case brought under Section 36(b) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, that alleged that affiliates of BlackRock had violated their fiduciary duties by charging excessive advisory fees to two eponymous mutual funds. As with a previous 36(b) case (i.e., Kasilag v. Hartford Investment Financial Services), the court granted summary judgement with respect to the board of directors’ decision to approve the adviser’s fees and ruled that the board’s approval is entitled to substantial deference. Still, the court held that material factual disputes existed regarding comparative fees, economies of scale, and profitability and, as such, summary judgment was not warranted. A trial date has been set for August 20, 2018. Like Kasilag v. Hartford Investment Financial Services and Sivolella v. AXA Equitable Life Insurance—two similar 36(b) cases that went to trial—the BlackRock case is before a judge in the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey. A different judge has presided over each of the three cases. For more information on the previously decided cases, read the client alerts (AXA Equitable and Hartford) prepared by Goodwin’s Financial Industry practice.
CFPB Settles With South Carolina Companies Over Improper Debt Collection Practices
On June 13, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) announced its settlement with a South Carolina corporation and its subsidiaries over allegations that the companies engaged in improper debt collection and credit furnishing practices. According to the consent order, the CFPB found that the companies made improper in-person and telephonic collection attempts on consumer installment loans and retail sales installment contracts in violation of the Consumer Financial Protection Act (CFPA), 12 U.S.C. §§ 5531, 5536(a). View the Enforcement Watch blog post.
Goodwin News
Western Bankers Association 2018 Fintech Symposium – July 11
Western Bankers Association, in partnership with the Federal Home Loan Bank of San Francisco and The Silicon Valley Center for Innovation, will hold their 2018 Fintech Symposium on July 11, 2018. Goodwin will host this event. Mike Whalen, partner and Co-Chair of Goodwin’s Fintech practice, Mitzi Chang, partner in Goodwin’s Technology Companies, Life Sciences, and Digital Currency and Blockchain Technology practices, and Bill Growney, partner in Goodwin’s Technology and Life Sciences practice, will participate on the panel.
Breakfast and Blockchain: A Discussion on ICOs, Global Crypto Innovation and Regulation – July 13
Despite increased regulatory activity, blockchain application development and the use of digital token offerings to fund blockchain and digital currency-related projects continues to be on the rise. During just the first half of 2018, 765 initial coin offerings (ICOs) have raised $4.8 billion, nearly eclipsing the total number of offerings and money raised in 2017. We invite you to join us in London for an interactive discussion on the current state of the blockchain and crypto ecosystem. Our panel will include Ryan Jesperson, President of The Tezos Foundation, a leading platform for smart contracts and decentralized applications; David McHenry, Head of Global Treasury and Payments Advisory - EMEA at Silicon Valley Bank; Stan Stalnaker, Founder & Chief Strategy Officer of Hub Culture, a global social network service operating Ven digital currency, and other related, blockchain-based platforms; and Grant Fondo, Chair of Goodwin’s global Digital Currency and Blockchain Technology practice and a former Assistant U.S. Attorney. Discussion topics will include blockchain technology and its applications; current international landscape for cryptocurrencies and ICOs; recent U.S. and U.K. regulatory developments; and international “safe harbor” jurisdictions.
ACI’s 30th National Forum on Consumer Finance Class Actions and Government Enforcement – July 16-17
ACI’s 30th National Forum on Consumer Finance Class Actions and Government Enforcement gathers industry decision-makers, counsel and executives to discuss the latest developments and expert strategies for navigating class actions, litigation and government enforcement activity in the consumer financial services arena. Sabrina Rose-Smith, partner in Goodwin’s Financial Industry and Consumer Financial Services Litigation practices, will serve as co-chair of the forum. Brooks Brown, partner in Goodwin’s Financial Industry group and co-chair of its Banking and Consumer Financial Services practice, will be a speaker on the panel, “The Telephone Consumer Protection (TCPA) Litigation Bubble: Evolving Technology, Record-Breaking Settlements and Uncertain Legal Precedent.” For more information, please visit the event website.
This week’s Roundup contributors: Iyanna Draper, Tierney Smith, Briana Whinnie.