Compliance & Ethics

BaFin Imposes €1.6 Million Fine on NBSH Acquisition LLC for Regulatory Violations

The Federal Financial Supervisory Authority (BaFin) announced it has levied a substantial fine against NBSH Acquisition LLC for breaching German securities law. The company has been ordered to pay €1.6 million for failing to comply with voting rights notification requirements under the German Securities Trading Act (Wertpapierhandelsgesetz – WpHG).

Federal Court Puts FTC’s Non-Compete Ban on Ice, Citing Overreach in Rulemaking Authority

A federal judge in Dallas has blocked the Federal Trade Commission’s (FTC) sweeping ban on non-compete agreements. The decision, delivered by U.S. District Judge Ada Brown, represents a significant setback for the FTC and its efforts to make labor markets more competitive by curtailing non-competes, which have become increasingly prevalent across the United States.

Norwegian Grocery Giants Hit with $466 Million Antitrust Fines

Norway's competition watchdog has levied a massive 4.9 billion Norwegian crowns ($466 million) in fines against the country's top three grocery store chains for breaking antitrust rules in a way that may have led to higher consumer prices.

FINRA Fines Cantor Fitzgerald $100,000 for Best Execution Violations

Cantor Fitzgerald & Co., a prominent Wall Street firm, has agreed to pay a $100,000 fine and over $51,000 in restitution to settle allegations of best execution violations in over-the-counter (OTC) securities trades, according to a recent Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) action.

Intrepid U.S.A. Inc. to Pay $3.85 Million in Medicare Fraud Settlement

Intrepid U.S.A. Inc., a Dallas-based home healthcare and hospice provider, has agreed to pay $3.85 million to settle allegations of violating the False Claims Act. The U.S. Department of Justice announced the settlement on Tuesday, August 20, 2024.

Equiniti Hit with Penalty After $6.6M Loss

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has slapped Equiniti Trust Company LLC with an $850,000 civil penalty after the company’s inadequate cybersecurity defenses led to over $6.6 million in client funds being siphoned off in a series of cyberattacks. The debacle, which unfolded over two separate incidents in 2022 and 2023, underscores the critical need for transfer agents and financial firms to fortify their cyber defenses against increasingly sophisticated threat actors.

SEC Approves PCAOB's Audit Reforms

The Securities and Exchange Commission has approved a slate of changes proposed by the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (PCAOB) to overhaul audit standards and liability rules.