Practice

It's your worst nightmare come true. Regulators called yesterday to inform of their investigations into your firm's practices, and already some of the toughest news reporters in the industry have called for comments --some more than once. You are still trying to absorb the information, figure out what's what and find out who did what, when, and why?

To restore industry confidence and nudge investors' interests back to the forefront, the Investment Company Institute told the SEC last Monday it supports the curtailing of soft dollars and banning of "directed brokerage." Commenting on the proposal, ICI Chairman Paul G. Haaga, Jr. said the proposed changes would "benefit fund investors by substantially diminishing potential conflicts of interest and strengthening the operating integrity of mutual funds."

(Reprint from 12/9/02 MFMN)

If we were to stage a "Best of" show about the year's impact on job prospects, Eliot Spitzer would be a good choice to serve as our affable host. And you, as a compliance professional, would no doubt have a chance to walk up to the stage, collect your trophy, and give the New York Attorney General your personal thanks for improving your job prospects tenfold.

Not all scandals are created equal. As such, Invesco Funds is apparently digging in its heels and preparing for a dogfight with regulators, a stark contrast to the "yes siring" going on at firms accused of more outrageous activities.

Noreen Harrington, a former executive of the Stern Asset Management arm of the Hartz Group, identified herself as the initial whistleblower in the mutual fund scandal that has ravaged the industry, according to reports.

There are many laws that hold parents responsible for the willful misconduct of their children, and now it looks like Marsh & McLennan Cos. (MMC) may have to face the music for its lack of oversight of its Putnam Investments unit.

Mutual fund managers are tipping their caps to interim chief John Reed as the New York Stock Exchange preps itself for a makeover. But industry lobbyists suggest that the proposed governance structure fails to provide adequate representation.

New York Attorney General Eliot Spitzer arrested three former executives of Security Trust Co. on felony charges last Tuesday. His suit charges the men with grand larceny in the first degree, for stealing more than $1 million.

Morningstar has recommended that investors dump shares of 11 PBHG funds after its founders were charged with securities fraud for allowing two of the firm's clients to trade billions of dollars in and out of its funds.