This Week in ESG and Impact Investing

The Internal Revenue Service holds a massive trove of sensitive data about American taxpayers that would be of inestimable value to a company operating in the private sector. Protecting it is a matter of national security, writes William Michael Cunningham. Banks and financial institutions should be especially alarmed by the possibility of exploitation of government financial data by the so-called Department of Government Efficiency, or DOGE, led by billionaire Tesla Founder Elon Musk. This isn't merely a regulatory or privacy issue — it strikes at the heart of the financial system that banks depend on for stability and accurate credit assessments. Reliable data is critical for risk management, lending decisions and maintaining consumer confidence. When such data is misappropriated, it can distort market signals and upend established financial practices. At the core of this crisis is a dataset of staggering value. The IRS' comprehensive historical record — encompassing income, ...

The U.S Department of the Treasury today proposed a new set of rules and regulations governing activities and firms in the financial marketplace. We applaud and fully support this effort. It follow a regulatory structure we first outlined in 1998 , and expanded in 2007 . As such we are hopeful. The proposal consists of four broad outlines: 1. "Addressing Systemic Risk: large, interconnected firms and markets need to be under a more consistent and more conservative regulatory regime. 2. Protecting Consumers and Investors: clear rules of the road that prevent manipulation and abuse. 3. Eliminating Gaps in Our Regulatory Structure: clear authority, resources, and accountability for key functions. A substantive system of regulation that meets the needs of the American people. 4. Fostering International Coordination: ensure that international rules for financial regulation are consistent with the high standards in the United States. Launch (of) a new initiative to address prudential ...