The SEC and Rating Agencies

The SEC examined all 10 firms registered Nationally Recognized Statistical Rating Organization (.pdf 23 pages) and found all 10 had “apparent failures”. The SEC has requested remediation plans from each of the agencies within 30 days and is continuing its investigation. The issues found included “apparent failures in some instances to follow ratings methodologies and … Read more »

Report on Mutual Fund Advertising

Section 918 of Dodd-Frank Act required a study on mutual fund advertising. The Government Accountability Office delivered that report before the 18 month deadline to the designated Congressional committees. The Report’s objectives were “to examine (1) what is known about the impact of mutual fund advertisements on investors, (2) the extent to which performance information … Read more »

SEC Made It Harder to Earn Performance Fees

As a general rule, investment adviser cannot charge performance fees. Section 205(a)(1) of the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 generally prohibits an investment adviser from entering into, extending, renewing, or performing any investment advisory contract that provides for compensation to the adviser based on a share of capital gains on, or capital appreciation of, the … Read more »