U.S SEC updates its Enforcement Manual with standardised Wells procedures, joint settlement-waiver review, and enhanced cooperation and criminal referral rules to streamline investigations

The revisions streamline procedures, promote consistency, and enhance effectiveness in protecting investors and maintaining orderly markets. Key changes include standardizing the Wells process with clear timelines and senior-staff involvement, allowing simultaneous consideration of settlements and waiver requests to improve transparency and efficiency, and updating frameworks for cooperation, internal collaboration, criminal referrals, and best practices. Going forward, the manual will undergo annual reviews to ensure it stays current…