SEC Identifies LIBOR Preparedness as an Examination Priority - Sherman & Sterling

On June 18, 2020, the Securities Exchange Commission’s (SEC) Office of Compliance Inspections and Examinations (OCIE) announced the details of an examination initiative specifically focused on LIBOR preparedness.[1] OCIE has previously identified LIBOR preparedness of registrants (e.g., SEC-registered investment advisers, broker-dealers, investment companies, municipal advisors, transfer agents and clearing agencies) as a key examination priority for 2020, but the latest announcement offers specific insights into what information examiners will be seeking from registrants.[2]

Background

The expected cessation of LIBOR after 2021 is expected to significantly impact financial markets and present a multitude of financial, legal, operational, conduct and reputation risks for certain market participants. Preparing for the transition away from LIBOR to alternative rates is viewed as essential by a number of regulators, including the SEC. OCIE will be conducting examinations to facilitate an orderly transition.

Examination Process

According to OCIE’s release, examiners will review whether and how a registrant has evaluated the potential impact of the LIBOR transition on the organization’s: (i) business activities; (ii) operations; (iii) services; and (iv) customers, clients and/or investors (collectively, investors). Examiners will review the plans that registrants have developed and steps they have taken to prepare for the LIBOR discontinuation, including with respect to operational readiness and disclosures. OCIE also identified the types of information and documents that may be sought in these examinations, including:

What Registrants Should Be Doing Now

The foregoing list of information that will be sought by SEC examiners is not exclusive and should underscore the urgency of having both experienced counsel on LIBOR matters and a well-designed transition roadmap. Ideally, firms should not wait until an exam is scheduled or a request for information is received to start preparing. And, as a matter of best practice, firms should begin collecting information that would be responsive to the areas identified by OCIE.

Footnotes

[1] See SEC, “Examination Initiative: LIBOR Transition Preparedness” (June 18, 2020).
[2] See SEC, “Examination Priorities for Fiscal Year 2020” (Jan. 7, 2020).

Shearman & Sterling LLP – Donna Parisi, Geoffrey B. Goldman, Azam H. Aziz , Mark Chorazak, Lona Nallengara and Jennifer Oosterbaan

July 20 2020



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