Insight

KPMG perspectives on 2021 SEC Examination and enforcement priorities

Prepared for asset and wealth management firms

Laurence Godin

Laurence Godin

Principal, Advisory, FS Regulatory & Compliance Risk, KPMG US

+1 212-954-1939

Mark McKeever

Mark McKeever

Director Advisory, FS Regulatory &Compliance Risk, KPMG US

+1 267 256 1704

Matt Giordano

Matt Giordano

Partner, Audit, KPMG US

+1 617-988-6327

Sean McKee

Sean McKee

Partner, Audit, KPMG US

+1 609-947-2529

The Securities and Exchange Commission’s Division of Examinations recently published its examination priorities for fiscal year (FY) 2021, reflecting a tone of renewed energy and empowerment in the EXAMS mission. Several risk alerts and new rules have been published and adopted in the past year, signaling an increase in scrutiny and enforcement among asset and wealth management firms. 

In this article, KPMG spotlights seven high-priority focus areas to watch out for in 2021 and considerations for how asset and wealth management firms can navigate this newly energized regulatory environment. Each of these high-priority focus areas will impact senior management, board members and legal and compliance professionals in virtually every area of asset and wealth management business activities.

This article outlines operational considerations in the following areas:

  • Leveraging enhanced technologies
  • Offering and investing in digital assets
  • Designing the right tools to manage Reg BI compliance
  • Developing and integrating an ESG governance framework
  • Evaluating and training mutual fund and ETF service providers
  • Tailoring derivative risk management programs
  • Managing private fund risks and compliance given recent developments.

Listen to Talking Asset Management with KPMG

This podcast provides a summary of EXAM’s findings in 2020 and an overview of their area of focus in 2021, potentially including climate, ESG, and emerging risk.

This podcast provides a summary of EXAM’s findings in 2020 and an overview of their area of focus in 2021, potentially including climate, ESG, and emerging risk.