Governance

Independent Oversight Meets the SEC Ron Kral discusses the the emerging trend of cybersecurity committees that are being created as companies recognize the need to create independent oversight of cyber risks. Cybersecurity risks pose grave threats to investors, our capital markets, and our country. This is the opening sentence of the SEC’s Interpretive Guidance on Public Company Cybersecurity Disclosures dated...

Senator Russ Feingold discusses McCain-Feingold, Citizens United and the vast, opaque sums involved in US politics today.

When was the last time you saw a positive news story come out of Venezuela? Probably has been a while. Any organization with ties to the country needs to be aware of the increasingly severe sanctions being imposed on the country by the federal and state governments. The deteriorating economic, political, and human right situation in Venezuela has caused enormous...

Aaron O’Connell, a Marine colonel, author and history professor discusses his research of, and personal experience in, Afghanistan and his excellent book: Our Latest Longest War: Losing Hearts and Minds In Afghanistan.

Key Issues for Proxies and Investors The relationship between publicly traded companies and their shareholders continues to evolve toward more communications and mutual understanding—and that’s impacting the sort of content featured in proxy statements. As the 2018 proxy season unfolds, Ron Schneider of Donnelley Financial Solutions examines key issues emerging in proxies this year and why companies should start treating...

Corporate boards that want to increase their diversity usually focus on gender and race. But are they paying enough attention to age diversity? PwC’s Census of Directors 50 and Under uncovers how younger directors may be setting the pace on specific areas inside the boardroom and explores what catalysts may lead to more age diversity. Areas addressed include: Younger directors fit...

It is rare these days for Republicans and Democrats to agree on political priorities – another profound grasp of the obvious.  Recently, on Capitol Hill there appears to be some common ground on the issue of reforming AML laws and regulations. The motivation is to make financial AML regulations “smarter” and increase focus on beneficial ownership, terrorist financing and proactive...

At stake in the prolonged debate over a “best-interest” standard of care for retirement advice are $7.5 trillion in 401(k)-type assets and $8.4 trillion in IRA assets. Whether or not the Department of Labor (DOL) and the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) will eventually come to agreement on a uniform standard of conduct remains to be seen, but the SEC’s...

The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority is under the radar for many organizations. Being fully aware of the violations and their consequences can prevent unneeded issues. 

New eBook from Michael Volkov Corporate Boards are Due for a Rude Awakening The compliance revolution has had a dramatic impact on important actors in the compliance arena – the rise of chief compliance officers, the redefinition and elevation of chief ethics officers, and a dramatic increase in compliance-related functions and responsibilities. Yet, we have failed to see any significant...

To all the “nattering nabobs of negativity” concerning FCPA enforcement, the US Justice Department responded with a resounding message – not only is FCPA enforcement here to stay, but individual violators are on DOJ’s radar screen. In an FCPA enforcement week like no other, the Justice Department unveiled a total of seven charging documents (indictments or informations) for FCPA violations,...

Expanding the View to Include Culture Does your organization view compliance as a “check the box” exercise? Many companies do. Chuck Saia, CEO of Deloitte Risk and Financial Advisory, feels differently and shares five ways a board can start broadening its view – and management’s view – of compliance to include issues of culture. With so many strategic issues to...