The days when firms could write off regulatory fines as the cost of doing business are long over. Both the financial penalties and the reputational damage are too costly in the current regulatory environment.
According to the 2023 Starling Compendium, firms must have processes in place to prevent misconduct from happening in the first place.
It has been a lukewarm first quarter of 2023 for the global Initial Public Offering (IPO) market. Ernst & Young reports that 299 IPOs raised US$21.5b in Q1, representing 8% and 61% drops, respectively, year-over-year (YOY). Interest rate and inflation hikes, banking industry issues, and pessimism throughout the global stock market have made their mark this year.
After challenges with strict COVID restrictions and political issues in the last several years, Hong Kong is fighting to bolster its status as a global financial hub - and prove its unique advantage as the gateway between mainland China and the rest of the globe. As a result, technological developments and the regulations required to stay ahead of a rapidly evolving financial landscape are now a priority in the region.
The United States Securities and Exchange Commission's Division of Examinations Risk Alert: Observations from Examinations of Newly-Registered Advisers covers the regulator’s typical focus areas and common observations. The Alert warns newly-registered advisers to pay close attention to the firm’s compliance policies and procedures, disclosures and marketing practices – advice that well-established firms should be heeding as well.
The 1MDB scandal saw Malaysia’s former Prime Minister jailed for 12 years with a fine of 210m Malaysian Ringgit (USD $46.8m) - and the end of the 61-year political dominance of the country’s Barisan Nasional coalition political party.
