FiSolve Weekly News Digest: August 22, 2025

Here is what we are reading in the news this week...

SEC Names Judge Margaret Ryan as

Director of the Division of Enforcement

The Securities and Exchange Commission announced that Judge Margaret “Meg” Ryan has been named Director of the Division of Enforcement, effective September 2, 2025.  Acting Director of Enforcement Sam Waldon will return to his previous role as Chief Counsel for the Division.  Judge Ryan served as a senior judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces from 2006 through 2020.  Judge Ryan currently is a lecturer on military law and justice at Harvard University Law School.  She was a visiting professor at Notre Dame Law School and a lecturer at The George Washington University Law School.  Read more here.

SEC Announces Three Insider Trading Cases

In the past week, the SEC announced charges against eight individuals across three insider trading cases involving illicit profits totaling nearly $4 million.  In the first case, two individuals allegedly exploited confidential client information from their public filings firm to trade stocks ahead of market-moving disclosures, generating over $2 million in profits.  In the second case, three friends were charged for their alleged involvement in insider trading that generated over a million dollars in profits from trading in the securities of company in advance of an announcement that a firm offered to acquire that company.  In the third case, a former biotech consultant allegedly shared nonpublic information about drug trials and corporate deals with his friends who traded in securities of up to six companies and earned over $500,000.  All three cases include parallel criminal charges and highlight the SEC’s continuing focus on insider trading enforcement. Read more here, here and here.

Study Finds “Benevolent Leadership” Enhances Corporate Culture, Well Being

A study published in Scientific Reports finds benevolent leadership, defined as a style “characterized by warmth and a paternalistic approach” creates a workplace environment that encourages knowledge-sharing and promotes organizational learning when combined with trust and open communication.  When these conditions are present, the study finds benevolent leadership encourages reciprocity, leading to positive knowledge-sharing behaviors.  Read more here.

US Department of Labor Rescinds 2021 Supplemental Statement on Alternative Assets in 401(k) Plans

The U.S. Department of Labor’s Employee Benefits Security Administration rescinded a December 2021 supplemental statement that discouraged fiduciaries from considering alternative assets in 401(k) retirement plan investment menus.  The decision to rescind the previous supplemental statement follows President Trump’s Executive Order, “Democratizing Access to Alternative Assets for 401(k) Investors,” which directs the Department of Labor to reexamine its guidance regarding fiduciary decisions, ensuring asset allocation funds that include alternative asset investments are available to plan participants.  Read more here.

SEC Approves Rule Change to Amend the FINRA Codes of Arbitration Procedure to Accelerate Certain Proceedings

New FINRA Rules 12808 and 13808 accelerate the processing of arbitration proceedings for parties who qualify based on their age or health condition. The rule change shortens the length of proceedings by approximately six months.  The new rules allow a party to request accelerated processing of a case when initiating an arbitration or filing an answer if the requesting party is at least 70 years of age at the time of the request.  Parties with a serious health condition may also qualify by submitting a certification (without disclosing medical details).  Read more here.

ESMA and the EEA Sign Sustainable Finance MOU 

The European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA) and the European Environment Agency (EEA) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) whose purpose is to strengthen cooperation in sustainable finance. The MoU focuses on environmental factors and their integration in the EU sustainable finance framework, including the supervision of the framework.  The MoU outlines how ESMA and the EEA will exchange expertise, information and data with one another and support mutual capacity building activities.  Read more here.

FINRA Announces Results of Board of

Governors Elections

FINRA announced the results of its election of two new members to its Board of Governors during the annual meeting of FINRA member firms.  The elected Governors include Large Firm Governor, J. Bradford Eichler, Chief Operating Officer, Stephens Inc. and Small Firm Governor, Erin Baskett, Chief Executive Officer, Sine Qua Non Capital LLC.  Read more here.

FiSolve Fall Roundtables to be Announced

Stay tuned for information relating to an upcoming roundtable this fall.  The Roundtable is planned to take place in New York City.

‼️FiSolve's Negotiation Tip of the Week‼️

In our industry, credibility is currency. When entering a negotiation—whether it's a client fee structure, a partnership deal, or internal budget allocation—lead with data-driven anchors.  Use objective criteria such as benchmarks, market comps, historical performance, or regulatory precedents to frame your position.  This not only strengthens your position but also shifts the conversation from subjective preferences to objective value.

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