Compliance & Ethics

Electric Car Company Canoo Fined $1.5 Million Over Revenue Projection Reporting

The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has imposed a $1.5 million fine on electric vehicle manufacturer Canoo Inc for alleged reporting failures related to overinflated revenue projections. The regulator asserts that the company misled investors about its financial prospects before going public through a merger with a special purpose acquisition company (SPAC) in December 2020.

Banks Slapped with Hefty Fines for Utilizing Messaging Platforms to Evade Regulators

U.S. regulators have unleashed a barrage of penalties, amassing a total of $549 million against Wells Fargo and a cohort of smaller or non-U.S. firms for their failure to uphold electronic records of employee communications. The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) spearheaded this crackdown, unveiling charges and levying $289 million in fines against 11 companies over "widespread and longstanding failures" in record-keeping. In tandem, the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) announced fines totaling $260 million against four banks for their noncompliance in maintaining records stipulated by the agency.

SEC Awards Whistleblowers Over $104 Million in Landmark Enforcement Action

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has made a historic announcement, granting awards totaling more than $104 million to seven whistleblowers for their pivotal role in facilitating a successful SEC enforcement action and related proceedings by another agency. This substantial combined award ranks as the fourth largest in the history of the SEC's whistleblower program.

FCA Imposes New Duty on Firms: Justifying Charges to Customers Marks Significant Regulatory Reform

The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) of Britain embarks on a groundbreaking reform today, compelling firms to adhere to a new duty aimed at justifying charges to customers. This granular regulatory shift is poised to enhance consumer protection and trust, with the FCA signaling a proactive approach to preventing potential mis-selling scandals.

FCA and Federal Reserve Express Concerns Over AI in Financial Services

Regulators at the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) in the UK and the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (Federal Reserve Board) in the US have raised alarm over the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in the financial services sector. This shared concern comes amid an increasingly collaborative global effort to address consumer protection risks in the adoption of AI technology.

Albemarle Agrees to $218.5 Million Settlement in FCPA Probe

Albemarle Corporation, a global leader in lithium production and chemicals manufacturing, has reached a significant agreement in principle with U.S. authorities to pay a substantial fine of $218.5 million. The settlement aims to resolve an investigation into potential foreign bribery conducted through third-party sales representatives, according to a statement released by the company.

TikTok Unveils New Features to Align with EU's Digital Service Act

Chinese-owned social media giant TikTok has introduced a series of novel features for its European users as part of a concerted effort to ensure compliance with the European Union's forthcoming Digital Services Act (DSA).