Securities law

The past 10 years have seen major changes to the market, but analysts aren't sure they've been effective in preparing it for the next test.

The MSRB's controversial commentary about selective disclosure got some support from a top SEC official on Wednesday.

Early returns indicate there have been some problems but firms seem to be working through them in complying with the new markup rules, regulators and industry officials said Tuesday.

The proposal would establish a standalone rule governing transactions in discretionary accounts, something the board hasn't had in more than 30 years.

FINRA found that Gates Capital and three of its employees breached several MSRB rules, some related to role-switching from advisor to underwriter on the same transaction.

The MSRB said its newly-approved rules are an important part of its regulatory efforts, while groups representing dealers and MAs are say they are confusing and need clarification.

Jessica Kane's appointment as director of the Office of Credit Ratings suggests that Rebecca Olsen could remain acting or become permanent chief of the Office of Municipal Securities.

Issuers and the MSRB are mostly on the same page about primary offering practices that may warrant scrutiny, but some members of the GFOA's debt committee are concerned about "regulatory creep."

A federal judge found that a former UBS "banking champion" broke the law when he advised customers to use lines of credit to invest in risky closed-end bond funds.

The MSRB said its proposals should be approved, despite objections from dealers and municipal advisors.

The MSRB will ask for market feedback on potential interpretive guidance related to a practice the board worries may impair market liquidity.

The Securities and Exchange Commission's decision not to extend the effective date of new markup disclosure requirements is disappointing to dealer groups, which have pushed hard for months for a delay.

A Securities and Exchange Commission proposal that may trigger additional MSRB rulemaking is open for comment, and the MSRB is scheduled to discuss it next week.

Lombard Securities and McDonald Partners agreed to pay fines after FINRA examiners found various violations of MSRB rules, including supervisory failures and trade reporting deficiencies.

Cities deny NAM charge that they committed securities fraud by failing to adequately address climate risk in their muni bond official statements.

Lanny Schwartz brings varied experience to a new role at the MSRB, including with the derivatives that could be poised to make a comeback because of the prohibition on advance refundings.

An unsealed whistleblower lawsuit accuses eight Wall Street and regional banks and broker-dealers that served as remarketing agents of fraud and collusion in resetting rates for variable rate demand obligations issued by state and local issuers in Illinois.

The SEC wants a quick end to its case against former Ramapo, N.Y. town supervisor Christopher St. Lawrence, but St. Lawrence's lawyer wants a federal judge to proceed to trial.

Former broker Deborah Kelley could end up paying close to half a million dollars in fines, penalties, and restitution for her role in defrauding the New York State Common Retirement Fund.

The National Association of State Treasurers is using infrastructure finance as an argument to urge lawmakers to pass legislation reclassifying some munis as high-quality liquid assets.