The Congressional Research Service reviewed the SEC's current guidance on climate change risk disclosures, the application of SEC criteria for the "materiality" standard on disclosures, current SEC efforts to address climate-related impacts on global supply chain risks, and SEC related environmental, social and governance regulations.

The North American Securities Administrators Association highlighted its major regulatory undertakings during 2020 and outlined challenges faced by the investment adviser industry and state securities regulators as a result of the pandemic.

The SEC named Alex Oh as Director of the Division of Enforcement.

The U.S. House of Representatives passed a bill to establish an SEC "Senior Investor Taskforce."

FINRA reminded member firms that FINRA rules establish minimum disclosure and other requirements as to mandatory arbitration provisions in customer agreements.

A former registered research analyst and representative settled FINRA charges for engaging in insider trading.

Senator John Kennedy (R-LA) introduced the "Protecting Investors' Personally Identifiable Information Act." The legislation would exclude personally identifiable information from Consolidated Audit Trail reporting requirements.

SEC Chair Gary Gensler appointed several senior staff members to advise on matters before the Commission.

U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-MD) swore in Gary Gensler as Chair of the SEC.

The SEC reopened the comment period on a 2016 proposed rule that would require the use of universal proxy cards in all non-exempt solicitations for contested director elections.

The SEC Division of Trading and Markets staff reminded broker-dealers operating programs in which they borrow securities from their customers of their obligations under the customer protection rule.

The CEO of a Brazil-based petrochemical company pleaded guilty to DOJ bribery charges and other violations of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act.

Commissioner Hester Peirce urged ESG advocates to encourage the public to develop solutions to climate and societal challenges instead of pursuing a “prescriptive approach.”

A firm settled FINRA charges for placing bids that were well under market value in response to bid-wanted auctions or requests for quotes in municipal securities, thereby failing to exercise its best judgment in determining the fair market value of the securities.

The U.S. Senate confirmed Gary Gensler as SEC Chair.

SEC Commissioner Hester M. Peirce offered an updated version of her proposal for a three-year safe harbor from the application of securities laws on the sale and trading of digital tokens.

FINRA issued new guidance clarifying reporting requirements on margin accounts.

A firm settled FINRA charges for failing to calculate customer reserves accurately.

SEC Division of Corporation Finance Acting Chair John Coates and SEC Acting Chief Accountant Paul Munter highlighted potential errors in accounting for warrants issued by Special Purpose Acquisition Companies.

The SEC Division of Examinations observed compliance deficiencies related to environmental, social and governance products and services offered by investment advisers, registered investment companies and pooled investment vehicles.

The SEC Division of Corporation Finance and the Division of Investment Management encouraged issuers to allow shareholder proponents to present their proposals through "alternative means" during the 2020 and 2021 proxy seasons.

A firm and its principal settled FINRA charges for failing to establish an adequate AML program and a supervisory system.

A firm settled FINRA charges for failing to reasonably supervise a representative's alternative investment recommendations for certain customers.

FINRA reminded members of their obligations regarding (i) the performance of due diligence on customers seeking to open trade options, (ii) the supervisory reviews of options accounts and (iii) margin requirements for options.

The SEC published in the Federal Register amendments to Regulation NMS that expand national market system information required to be collected, consolidated and disseminated "with respect to quotations for, and transactions in, national market system stocks."