Federal Reserve Board ("FRB") Vice Chair for Supervision Randal K. Quarles highlighted agency efforts to make the FRB regulatory framework more transparent, simple and efficient. In testimony before the House Committee on Financial Services, Mr. Quarles stated that the FRB has taken several steps to improve transparency by disclosing more information pertaining to supervisory activities. He cited the FRB's decision to implement a new supervisory rating system for large financial institutions as an example. Further, Mr. Quarles said the FRB expects to finalize a series of measures to improve

The SEC Division of Corporation Finance agreed to not treat a liquidating trust established in connection with the liquidation of a real estate investment trust as an issuer of "equity securities" for purposes of the Exchange Act. As a result, the liquidating trust can operate without complying with the registration and reporting requirements of the Exchange Act.

The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency released a Policies and Procedures Manual which applies to enforcement actions against institution-affiliated parties of certain financial institutions.

The U.S. Treasury Department Office of Foreign Assets Control ("OFAC") designated four individuals for their alleged roles in permitting Hizballah's activities to undercut security and stability in Iraq. These individuals were designated pursuant to Executive Order ("EO") 13224. According to OFAC, the four Hizballah-associated individuals are "terror facilitators . . . who smuggle oil for Iran, raise funds for Hizballah, and send fighters to Syria for the [Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps]-Qods Force on behalf of [Iranian Major General] Qasem Soleimani." In addition, OFAC stated, the Trump

At a "time of growing erosion and trust" and efforts "to increase political control over markets," CFTC Chair J. Christopher Giancarlo asserted the importance of independent financial regulation to free-market capitalism and individual liberty. In remarks at the Global Financial Leadership Conference, Mr. Giancarlo said that the capitalist system provides consumers with the widest range of choices and motivates producers to provide desired goods and services at the lowest prices. He criticized governments and politicians that would treat markets as tools to help drive social, political and