MSRB Notes Compliance Risks of Issuer-Solicited Charitable Donations

Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP

Ki P. Hong Charles M. Ricciardelli Matthew Bobys Melissa L. Miles Tyler Rosen

Recently, the Municipal Securities Rulemaking Board (MSRB) noted in its quarterly compliance newsletter dated June 8, 2018 that it has “compliance concerns” regarding issuer-solicited charitable donations. The MSRB’s quarterly newsletter does not have the force of formal agency guidance, however, it does offer insight into how the MSRB may view issuer-solicited charitable donations.

Though charitable donations do not implicate the MSRB’s pay-to-play Rule G-37, the MSRB notes that the donations may have implications under other rules, as described below.

  • Rule G-17: This rule requires dealers acting as underwriters in a negotiated underwriting to disclose actual or potential material conflicts of interest with respect to the issuance. The MSRB noted in its newsletter that it would be a violation of Rule G-17 for an underwriter to compensate any undisclosed third party in order to secure municipal securities business. Thus, if an underwriter makes a charitable donation for these purposes, the underwriter must disclose the donation to the issuer as a conflict of interest.
  • Rule G-42: This rule generally prohibits municipal advisors from making payments for the purpose of obtaining or retaining an engagement. The MSRB noted that if a municipal advisor makes a charitable donation for these purposes, it would violate Rule G-42.
  • Rule G-20: This rule prohibits, with some exceptions, any regulated entity or its associated persons from directly or indirectly giving any thing or service with value in excess of $100 to a person if such payments or services are in relation to the municipal securities or municipal advisory activities of the recipient’s employer. The MSRB noted that, where a regulated entity makes a directed donation to a charity that is closely aligned with the third party requesting the donation, it may be deemed an indirect gift or gratuity under Rule G-20. Therefore, if that person is an official of an issuer and the donation is in excess of $100, the regulated entity may be in violation of Rule G-20.

Please note that the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA, then known as the National Association of Securities Dealers), issued a similar cautionary notice to its members in 2006. However, FINRA expressed these concerns only to prevent a conflict of interest. The new MSRB guidance is notable in that it, for the first time, indicates that an issuer-solicited charitable donation also may be considered a gift under Rule G-20.

In light of this new guidance, it is more important than ever for municipal securities dealers and municipal advisors to have a robust company policy concerning charitable donations. For assistance in developing such a policy, please reach out to your usual Skadden contact.

The newsletter is available here.

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