On June 14, 2024, the SEC announced the settlement of administrative proceedings brought against a registered investment adviser for disseminating allegedly misleading performance information of a private fund that it advised. The SEC alleged that from at least November 2021 through February 2023, the adviser advertised performance returns that were experienced by a single investor in a private fund as the private fund’s performance even though the investor’s performance was at times significantly higher than the fund’s performance. According to the order, the performance disparity was due to certain successful IPO investments the fund had made that were credited to the investor’s capital account in greater proportion than other fund investors’ capital accounts because the other investors were unable to participate fully in the IPO investments due to investment restrictions under FINRA Rules 5130 and 5131.Continue Reading SEC Settles Enforcement Proceedings Against Adviser for Allegedly Misleading Performance Advertising
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SEC and FinCEN Propose Customer Identification Program Requirements for Investment Advisers
On May 13, 2024, the SEC and FinCEN jointly proposed a new rule under the Bank Secrecy Act (BSA) that would impose new customer identification program (CIP) requirements on registered investment advisers and exempt reporting advisers.Continue Reading SEC and FinCEN Propose Customer Identification Program Requirements for Investment Advisers
Fifth Circuit Vacates Private Fund Adviser Rules
In a 3-0 decision, the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals vacated the SEC’s private fund adviser rules (“Final Rule”). Each component of the Final Rule was vacated, including the Private Fund Audit Rule, Private Fund Quarterly Statement Rule, Private Fund Adviser Restricted Activities Rule, Adviser-Led Secondaries Rule, Preferential Treatment Rule and Books and Records Rule Amendments. The original lawsuit was brought by several trade associations who sued the SEC over the Final Rule in imposition of undue regulatory burdens and costs.Continue Reading Fifth Circuit Vacates Private Fund Adviser Rules