SEC Votes to Expand Disclosure on Risk, Compensation and Governance

In particular, the new SEC rules require disclosures in proxy and information statements about:

• The relationship of a company's compensation policies and practices to risk management.
• The background and qualifications of directors and nominees.
• Legal actions involving a company's executive officers, directors and nominees.
• The consideration of diversity in the process by which candidates for director are considered for nomination.
• Board leadership structure and the board's role in risk oversight.
• Stock and option awards to company executives and directors.
• Potential conflicts of interests of compensation consultants.

The new rules, which will be effective Feb. 28, 2010, also require quicker reporting of shareholder voting results.
Click here to read the SEC's press release and to watch a video of Chairman Schapiro discussing the proxy enhancements.

Click here to download the Final Rule: Proxy Disclosure Enhancements (.pdf format)