Regulation

The Securities and Exchange Commission is reportedly scrutinizing asset management firms’ custodial arrangements to ensure that they are properly protecting customers’ assets.

Connecticut lawmakers have proposed hedge fund regulations, including obtaining a license, annual audit, disclosure of fees and significant changes in management or investment strategy, as well as a higher minimum investment threshold of $2.5 million for individuals and $5 million for institutions.

Investment Company Institute President Paul Schott Stevens testified before the U.S. House of Representatives Education and Labor Committee on Tuesday to avow that the 401(k) model is working, in spite of the market’s downturn.

The Alternative Investment Management Association, a hedge fund group headquartered in the U.K., is pushing for more transparency, in an effort to stave off regulation.

Morningstar has developed a series of 18 asset allocation indexes for investors and advisers to use as benchmarks for target-date and target-risk funds.

MIAMI - In their frantic efforts to cut costs, many financial services companies have been jettisoning everything that isn't absolutely necessary to stay afloat. This may work in the short term, but senior leadership is starting to realize the continued need for expertise in regulation and compliance and customer service to provide seamless risk management, transparency and communication.

Money market fund assets have topped $4 trillion for the first time, greatly buoyed by the Treasury Department’s $1 NAV guarantees and financing to purchase asset-backed commercial paper from money funds, which has eased the credit markets.

FINRA has fined two Wachovia units $4.5 million for failing to pass along breakpoint and rollover discounts for mutual fund and unit investment trust purchases, as well as for suitability violations and inadequate supervisory procedures.

Sens. Tom Harkin (D-Iowa) and Herb Kohl (D-Wis.) have reintroduced legislation, the Harkin/Kohl Defined Contribution Fee Disclosure Act of 2009, that would require 401(k) plan providers to clearly disclose all of the fees they charge. The senators cite AARP research that shows if a 35-year-old invested $20,000 in a 401(k) plan over 30 years that yielded 6.5% a year and cost 0.5% in fees, their remaining balance would be $132,287, but if the fees were 1.5%, they would have only $99,679, or 25% less.

Debra Ryan, the longtime girlfriend of Samuel Israel III, who was found guilty of swindling Bayou Management hedge fund investors out of more than $400 million, pled guilty Tuesday to aiding and abetting the Israel when he was a fugitive.