GRC Report Staff

The Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) has recently dropped a new set of guidelines that will help companies navigate the complexities of climate-related financial reporting. The release of Regulatory Guide 280 comes after a deep dive into industry feedback and offers a clearer picture of how companies, superannuation funds, and investment vehicles should approach sustainability disclosures under the Corporations Act 2001.

DWS Group, Deutsche Bank’s asset-management arm, is paying the price for overstating its green credentials. The firm has agreed to settle an investigation by German prosecutors, paying €25 million ($27 million) over allegations of greenwashing—essentially, overhyping its sustainability efforts. According to a report from the Wall Street Journal, German authorities found that between mid-2020 and January 2023, DWS made inflated claims about the environmental, social, and corporate governance (ESG) characteristics of its investment products.

When you think about the equipment that keeps our military running smoothly, you might imagine high-tech gear, advanced weaponry, and well-oiled machinery. What’s often less visible, though, are the parts that make all of this work—like electrical relays and sockets. DRI Relays Inc. (DRI), a subsidiary of TE Connectivity Corporation (TEC), has found itself in the spotlight over a failure to meet the very standards that keep those parts dependable for our armed forces. The company has agreed to pay $15.7 million to settle allegations under the False Claims Act, after it was accused of selling military parts that didn’t meet the required specifications.

The Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (PCAOB) just dropped its 2024 annual report, and it's clear they’ve been busy making real moves in the audit space. From faster inspection results to tougher accountability for bad actors, this year's report showcases some significant changes aimed at strengthening trust in the auditing process—and, of course, protecting investors. Here’s the lowdown on what the PCAOB is doing to shake up the audit world in 2024.

In an effort to further refine and enhance Europe’s financial infrastructure, the Joint Committee (JC) of the European Supervisory Authorities (ESAs) has just published its evaluation report on the EU’s Securitization Regulation (SECR). The report, which arrives at a crucial moment for the European financial markets, offers a comprehensive review of how the regulation has been performing and lays out several key recommendations for making Europe’s securitization framework more effective, transparent, and investor-friendly.

The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) has announced its withdrawal from the interagency principles for climate-related financial risk management for large financial institutions, signaling a shift in its regulatory approach.