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At ACA Group, our unique financial industry insights are informed by our real-world experience, deep subject matter expertise, and extensive client network.

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ESG

ESG alerts and insights

GIPS® standards and performance alerts and insights

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Insights and alerts related to the SEC's new Marketing Rule

Guidance and insights on regulatory proposals, enforcements, and risk alerts

Regulatory change is here for Private Fund Advisers

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Key Takeaways from 1LoD’s Trade Surveillance Deep Dive Report 2021

Industry analyst 1LoD recently hosted a two-day Deep Dive on the future of trade surveillance. Attendees were from all over the globe and represented financial institutions (78%), technology firms (19%), and regulators (2%). ACA’s Michael Lehman, Partner and product manager for ACA’s Market Abuse Surveillance technology in ComplianceAlpha®, spoke at the event.

Report
  • RegTech
  • Trade Surveillance
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FCA Publishes Consultation on Climate-Related Financial Disclosure

Ahead of COP26 in November 2021, the FCA has published consultation paper (CP 21/17) on the implementation of mandatory TCFD disclosures. For many firms, data gathering requirements start from 1 January. We outline the considerations for firms in scope.

Compliance Alert
  • ESG
  • Compliance
  • FCA
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Peer Analysis Infographic | MIFIR Transaction Reporting: Perception vs. Reality

When it comes to MiFIR Transaction reporting how confident are you? Or more importantly, how confident should you be? Our peer analysis infographic reveals worrying results that suggest that most firms still have a long way to go

Article
  • Compliance
  • Trade & Transaction
  • Managed Services
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How Does Recent Guidance on Principal and Cross Trades Apply to Real Estate and Private Equity Advisers?

On July 21, 2021, the Division of Examinations released the "Cross Trade Risk Alert". Although this risk alert is focused on fixed income investments, what can real estate and private equity managers, including those that do not invest in fixed income instruments, learn from this risk alert and other SEC staff activities related to principal and cross trades?

Article
  • Compliance
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SEC Charges RIAs + Broker-Dealer Firms for Failure to File + Deliver Form CRS

The SEC announced that 27 firms violated the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 and the Exchange Act, failing to file and deliver customer relationship summaries to their retail investors in a timely manner.

Article
  • SEC
  • Distribution
  • Compliance
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FCA Clears the Way for Potentially Greater UK SPAC Issuance

With a growing European SPACs market and the UK's goal to make London more attractive to compete with other markets around the world, we outline key considerations for firms ahead of new SPACs listing rules coming into force on 10 August in the UK

Compliance Alert
  • Compliance
  • Brexit
  • Managed Services
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Achieving Differentiated Support for Private Equity Firms

Fundraising and compliance challenges are expected to increase for private equity firms in the second half of 2021 into 2022. We speak with Private Equity Wire about why support that blends practical and regulatory advice is becoming critical.

Article
  • Compliance
  • ComplianceAlpha
  • ESG
  • Cybersecurity
  • RegTech
  • Mirabella
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FINRA Amends Rules 5122 and 5123 Filing Requirements to Include Retail Communications that Promote or Recommend Private Placements

On July 15, 2021, FINRA issued Regulatory Notice 21-26 to announce new amendments to Rules 5122 and 5123. Under the revisions, broker-dealers must file retail communications that promote or recommend private placement offerings subject to the rules’ filing requirements as of October 1, 2021.

Compliance Alert
  • Performance
  • Compliance
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Client Demand and Regulation are Driving Trends Behind OCIOs Claiming GIPS Compliance

ACA is continuing to see Outsourced Chief Investment Officer (“OCIO”) firms claim compliance with the Global Investment Performance Standards (GIPS®). Today, 38% of the top 50 OCIO firms by AUM claim compliance1. That is an 8% increase from 2020 to 2021 and the percentage is expected to grow by at least 10% from 2021 to 2022. In this article we look at the two main drivers behind OCIO firms ramping up quickly to claim compliance with GIPS.

Article
  • Performance
  • SEC Marketing Rule
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Finding Leverage - How Debt Investors are Tackling the Challenge of ESG

With an abundance of optimistic growth projections centered around credit markets, 2021 is predicted to be a banner year for portfolios weighted in private debt. But just how easy is it to incorporate ESG criteria into a private debt portfolio?

Article
  • ESG
  • Compliance