Linkedin Youtube
Contact Us

Guide To 2021 SEC Exam Priorities

Silver reviews the most important areas of focus from the SEC's 2021 Exam Priorities, including ESG and climate-related risks, compliance risks and conflicts of interest for investment advisers, and a continued focus on digital assets.
The past few months have featured a flurry of new regulatory developments with direct ramifications for private fund managers, particularly with the release by the SEC of its 2021 Exam Priorities and Division of Examinations’ Continued Focus on Digital Asset Securities. This article highlights key areas of focus as outlined by the SEC’s announced 2021 Exam Priorities and offers recommendations on proactive steps that investment advisers can take to prepare for an SEC exam.

Key Takeaways:

  • ESG and climate risks are emerging as key priority areas for the SEC in 2021
  • The SEC will further assess compliance risks and conflicts of interest associated with managers to private funds
  • The SEC will continue to focus on Digital Asset Securities as an area of “unique risk to investors”

[button open_new_tab=”true” color=”accent-color” hover_text_color_override=”#fff” url=”https://silverregulatoryassociates.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/SilverDigitalWhitepaper_SECExams2021_FIN.pdf” text=”Read Article” color_override=””]

Share the Post:

Filter by Topic

SilverVision Archive

SEC Reopens: Why Private Funds Still Cannot Treat 2025 as a Free Pass

December 17, 2025 No Comments

The SEC shutdown has left private fund managers navigating a rare period of regulatory silence — but compliance obligations have not paused. Silver’s Compliance Team outlines how firms can stay prepared and how to use this time strategically to strengthen their compliance programs before oversight resumes.

Read More »

Europe in Flux, U.S. Division: Q3 Sustainability Trends for Private Fund Managers and RIAs

September 29, 2025 No Comments

Silver monitored key regulatory and market developments and in the US, activity ranged from efforts to roll back the EPA’s endangerment findings to court challenges over ESG proxy adviser rules to updated DOJ guidance on DEI programs. In the UK and EU, regulators advanced sustainability reporting consultations and trade agreements that may affect compliance obligations. Global industry alliances also saw shifts, including the suspension of the Net-Zero Banking Alliance and the release of SBTi’s new net-zero standard for financial institutions.

Read More »