Four months after its formation, the Investors’ Working Group (IWG) has released its recommendations for reshaping the United States regulatory climate. The report advises stronger regulatory powers and greater authority over investment firms, among other changes relating to corporate governance.
The 27-page advisory report, “U.S. Financial Regulatory Reform: The Investors’ Perspective,” centers around a strengthening of existing regulatory structures: “the will to
regulate must be restored.” It advises greater oversight on derivatives contracts, credit ratings agencies, and investment managers, among other financial entities.
The report also advises improved corporate governance, including greater accountability for directors by shareholders.
“Investors need better tools to hold directors accountable so they will be motivated to challenge executives who pursue excessively risky strategies,” reads the report. “Measures to make it easier for shareowners to nominate and elect directors are a good place to start.”
The IWG is a collaboration between the CFA Institute Centre and the Council of Institutional Investors. It is helmed by former Securities and Exchange Commission Chairmen William H. Donaldson and Arthur Levitt Jr.