The SEC's Office of Investor Education and Advocacy provided an "investor preparedness checklist" to help investors with devising their saving and investing plans. Additionally, SEC Chair Jay Clayton issued videos based on town halls in a series titled "Notes from the Chairman," which supplies tips for Main Street investors.

Federal Reserve Board Vice Chair for Supervision Randal Quarles identified three principles that are critical to the "relevance" and "vitality" of the Financial Stability Board ("FSB"): engagement, vigilance and analysis. This was the second speech in which he emphasized this approach. (See, prior coverage.) In remarks at the 2019 European Bank Executive Committee Forum, Mr. Quarles said that these principles form the basis of the "most successful elements of the post-crisis reforms," and that they should remain the foundation of the FSB's work as it transitions from drafting new standards to

A Chicago-based cannabis-producing firm, Cresco Labs Inc., will acquire all of the issued and outstanding shares of Origin House, a Canadian headquartered firm that is a top cannabis distributor in California. The all-stock transaction is valued at roughly $823 million, making it the largest-ever public company acquisition in the U.S. cannabis sector. Both companies are listed on the Canadian CSE and OTCQX. According to the press release, Origin House shareholders will receive about 0.84 subordinate voting shares of Cresco Labs Inc. The combined company will have licenses for up to 51 retail

IOSCO issued a report on behavioral insights that could be used to improve retail investor protection. The report looks at, among other things, the (i) design of disclosure to optimize reader comprehension, (ii) use of online interfaces and (iii) timeliness of information. The report found that behavioral factors are limited in their effect, and that, notwithstanding design or delivery, disclosures may be insufficient on their own to "achieve comprehensive retail investor protection."

The SEC adopted a rule expressly mandating that the appointment or removal of a Public Company Accounting Oversight Board ("PCAOB") hearing officer be subject to agency approval. The final rule will be effective upon publication in the Federal Register.