FTC Announces Agenda for the Seventh Session of its Hearings on Competition and Consumer Protection in the 21st Century; Session at Howard University to Focus on Algorithms, Artificial Intelligence, and Predictive Analytics

The Federal Trade Commission announced the agenda for the seventh session of its Hearings Initiative, with a two-day hearing at the Howard University Law School in Washington, D.C., on November 13-14, 2018. Howard University is a co-sponsor of the event. The hearing will examine competition and consumer protection issues associated with the use of algorithms, […]

Investor Bulletin: Variable Life Insurance

The SEC’s Office of Investor Education and Advocacy is issuing this Investor Bulletin to educate investors about variable life insurance and how it works. This bulletin provides a general description of variable life insurance. The features of each policy may vary by product and by state. What Is Variable Life Insurance? A variable life insurance […]

Updated Investor Bulletin: Variable Annuities

The SEC’s Office of Investor Education and Advocacy is issuing this Investor Bulletin to educate investors about variable annuities and how they work. Contents What Is A Variable Annuity?  A variable annuity is a contract between you and an insurance company. It serves as an investment account that may grow on a tax-deferred basis and […]

Regulatory Capital Rule:

FIL-67-2018 October 30, 2018 Regulatory Capital Rule: New Standardized Approach for Calculating the Exposure Amount of Derivative Contracts Printable Format: FIL-67-2018 – PDF (PDF Help) Summary: The federal bank regulatory agencies (the agencies) have jointly issued a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPR), which would amend the regulatory capital rule (capital rule) to implement a new […]

Proposed Removal of the FDIC’s Part 350 Annual Disclosure Statement Requirement

FIL-66-2018 October 30, 2018 Proposed Removal of the FDIC’s Part 350 Annual Disclosure Statement Requirement Printable Format: FIL-66-2018 – PDF (PDF Help) Summary: On October 25, 2018, the FDIC published the attached notice of proposed rulemaking to rescind and remove Part 350 of its regulations, which is entitled Disclosure of Financial and Other Information by […]

FTC Hearings on Competition and Consumer Protection in the 21st Century Continue with Discussion of Vertical Mergers and the Consumer Welfare Standard

WHAT: The Federal Trade Commission will host the fifth session of its Hearings on Competition and Consumer Protection in the 21st Century. WHEN: Thursday, November 1, 9 a.m. to 5:45 p.m. WHERE: Georgetown University Law Center600 New Jersey Ave., NW, Washington, DC WHO: FTC Commissioner Noah Joshua Phillips will deliver opening remarks, followed by a […]

Investor Alert: Be Vigilant for Investment Scams Related to Recent Hurricanes

The SEC’s Office of Investor Education and Advocacy is issuing this Investor Alert to warn investors, including individuals who may receive lump sum payouts from insurance companies and others as a result of damage from recent hurricanes, about fraudulent investment scams. Fraudsters often try to use natural disasters, like Hurricanes Florence or Michael, as a […]

Owners of Business Coaching and Development Service Scam Are Banned

The owners of four companies that allegedly bilked consumers trying to start online businesses from home have been banned from selling purported business coaching or development services under court-approved settlements with the Federal Trade Commission. The settlements, which resolve an FTC case brought in the District of Utah, also require the corporate defendants to turn […]

FTC Approves Final Amendments to its R-Value Rule for Home Insulation Products

As part of its systematic review of all current rules and guides, the Federal Trade Commission has concluded a two-year review of its R-value Rule. The Commission now implements amendments to reduce the regulation’s burden, clarify its requirements, and make it easier for the FTC to take action against deceptive R-value claims for non-insulation products. […]

Online Student Loan Refinance Company SoFi Settles FTC Charges, Agrees to Stop Making False Claims About Loan Refinancing Savings

Online student loan refinancer SoFi has agreed to stop misrepresenting how much money student loan borrowers have saved or will save from refinancing their loans with the company, in order to settle Federal Trade Commission charges that it deceptively advertised inflated figures for more than two years. In a complaint against Social Finance, Inc. and […]