ICI Viewpoints

Inside ICI’s First Compliance, Risk, and Legal Conference

|
| Print

Key Takeaways

  • The inaugural CRL Conference in September 2026 reflected the expanding role of compliance, risk, and legal professionals, bringing together more than 300 industry participants to address emerging risks, regulatory developments, and evolving business challenges. 

  • Regulatory modernization was a central theme, with SEC officials and industry leaders emphasizing the need for flexible, technology-neutral regulations that can adapt to innovations such as electronic delivery (e-delivery) and tokenization. 

  • Preparing for change is increasingly critical, as compliance professionals play a growing role in managing uncertainty, maintaining investor trust, and helping firms navigate a rapidly evolving regulatory and technology landscape. 

 

Keith Cassidy, Director of the Division of Examinations at the SEC, gives the keynote speech at ICI's Compliance, Risk, and Legal Conference.

Keith Cassidy, Director of the Division of Examinations at the SEC, gives the keynote speech at ICI's Compliance, Risk, and Legal Conference.

More than 300 professionals from around the country recently convened in Nashville for ICI’s inaugural Compliance, Risk, and Legal (CRL) Conference. Building on the foundation of our longstanding Securities Law Developments Conference, the CRL Conference’s program reflected the broader and more integrated challenges facing compliance, risk, and legal professionals. 

The conference was created in response to member demand and in recognition of the growing importance of compliance professionals' roles. 

Given the rapid change and disruption in the industry, compliance professionals’ roles will continue to take on more importance over time, and they need to be prepared to face emerging risks, navigate uncertainty, and maintain investor confidence. 

Eric Pan CEO and President of the Investment Company Institute addressing the 2026 TAC

ICI President and CEO Eric J. Pan delivers his opening remarks at ICI's Compliance, Risk, and Legal Conference. ICI’s First Compliance, Risk, and Legal Conference.

In his opening remarks, ICI President and CEO Eric J. Pan noted that the conference was designed to help attendees "stay ahead of change" by exploring emerging issues, learning how firms are addressing shared challenges, and gaining practical insights into how risk is evaluated and translated into action. At its core, he said, effective compliance is about maintaining investor trust and preserving the industry's strong reputation. 

Regulatory Modernization Emerges as a Central Theme 

Panelist discussion at the ICI 2026 TAC

Panelists discuss regulatory modernization during the Grand Ole Rulebook: What's Next on the SEC Setlist? panel at ICI's Compliance, Risk, and Legal Conference.

A recurring theme throughout the conference was regulatory modernization. 

More than a year into SEC Chairman Paul Atkins’ administration, speakers across multiple panels described a significant shift in the agency's approach to rulemaking. The SEC, they said, is increasingly focused on modernizing its regulatory framework and developing rules that can withstand changes in technology and market practices, while reducing unnecessary compliance burdens. 

During the panel Grand Ole Rulebook: What's Next on the SEC Setlist?, the SEC's Sarah ten Siethoff highlighted this focus on modernization and streamlining. She pointed to the agency's efforts on e-delivery as an example of how the SEC is seeking to create rules that are flexible and technology-neutral. 

"E-delivery is a good example," she said. "We're trying to modernize and reflect that most people have moved to electronic. And then at the same time, that use of electronic is continuing to evolve, so how can we make things technology neutral?" 

The goal, she explained, is to create rules that remain effective as technology changes, reducing the need for repeated regulatory revisions and allowing firms to adapt more efficiently over time. 

Ten Siethoff also cited the SEC's proposed repeal of the political contribution rule as an example of the agency's efforts to reevaluate regulations that may no longer be functioning as intended. 

Industry participants broadly welcomed the SEC's emphasis on modernization. Rajiv Chanda, Global Head of Asset Management at Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP, noted that a more flexible regulatory framework could help support innovation in areas such as tokenization and other emerging technologies. 

"Futureproofing for the technology is really important," Chanda said. "Emerging technology needs this flexibility." 

While panelists generally viewed the agency's direction positively, many also emphasized the need for additional reforms, particularly with respect to fund proxy regulations. Looking ahead, ten Siethoff noted that "proxy reform is an active topic at the SEC," signaling that further developments may be on the horizon. 

Looking Ahead 

The strong attendance and engagement throughout the week underscored the value of bringing compliance, risk, and legal professionals together to discuss the challenges and opportunities shaping the industry's future. 

We're excited to announce that the Compliance, Risk, and Legal Conference will return in 2027. Details on the date and location will be announced in the coming months. In the meantime, stay tuned to the ICI Events page for updates. 

We look forward to seeing you next year. 

    Tags
    Compliance, Risk, and Legal Conference