The DOJ and the SEC announced one of the largest global Foreign Corrupt Practices Act settlements in history. Under the settlement, a Dutch telecommunications will pay $795 million to resolve allegations that it paid $114 million in bribes to an Uzbek government official to obtain and retain business in the country.

SEC Investor Advocate Rick A. Fleming observed a downward trend in listing standards at the New York Stock Exchange.

New SRO rules, rule proposals and NMS plans were announced by the SEC. Click on the links below to view the SEC's notices of exchange rule changes and proposals from February 15 to February 19.

The SEC adopted amendments to SEA Rules that affect a non-U.S. firm with personnel located in a U.S. branch or office who are used to "arrange, negotiate, or execute" a security-based swap transaction in connection with the firm's dealing activity.

The MSRB issued a new guide describing alternative ways to buy municipal bonds. The guide is intended "to help retail investors weigh their options when buying or selling municipal securities."