The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) has turned up the heat on banks and individuals flouting regulatory expectations, unveiling a slate of enforcement actions for November 2024. These measures not only aim to rectify serious lapses in compliance but also signal the OCC’s unrelenting commitment to upholding the integrity of the national banking system.
The Federal Financial Supervisory Authority (BaFin) imposed an administrative fine of €300,000 on Pearl Gold AG. The sanction stems from the company’s failure to meet critical financial reporting obligations under the German Securities Trading Act (Wertpapierhandelsgesetz – WpHG), a key piece of legislation governing financial transparency for companies listed in Germany.
The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has dropped the hammer on three senior executives at Adani Green Energy Ltd. and Azure Power Global Ltd. for allegedly orchestrating a sprawling bribery scheme. The charges, which involve shady dealings to secure a lucrative solar energy project, are as much a cautionary tale as they are a stark reminder of the stakes in global business.
In the wake of persistent market uncertainties and last year’s banking sector turmoil, the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision has once again taken a firm stance on global banking resilience. Meeting in Basel on November 19–20, 2024, the committee zeroed in on advancing regulatory consistency, improving risk management practices, and equipping supervisors with sharper tools for navigating the complexities of today’s financial ecosystem.
Dell Technologies and Iron Bow Technologies have agreed to pay a combined total of $4.3 million to resolve allegations of submitting non-competitive bids under a U.S. Army contract. The settlement addresses claims that the two companies overcharged the Army through a scheme that undermined the integrity of the Army’s procurement process.
The Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (PCAOB) delivered a sharp reprimand to five international audit firms that repeatedly failed to meet basic reporting requirements. Bush & Associates, Barton CPA, Crowe Hussain Chaudhury, KPMG India, and RSM Brasil were not just fined—they were publicly called out for undermining the fundamental transparency that investors rely on.
A significant transformation is taking place in corporate reporting. The International Sustainability Standards Board (ISSB) has introduced new standards that go beyond traditional financial metrics, challenging companies to provide a more comprehensive view of their sustainability impact.