Member News

Registration for Diversity Visa (Green Card) Lottery Now Open

The Department of State has announced the opening of the registration period for the 2017 Diversity Visa (DV) lottery. As in past years, the DV lottery will allow a maximum of 50,000 "diversity immigrants" to obtain permanent residence in the United States if they are from countries with low rates of immigration to the United States. Entries for the DV-2017 lottery must be submitted electronically between noon Eastern Daylight Time (EDT) on Thursday, October 1, 2015, and noon Eastern Standard...

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Member News

SEC Outlines 2015 Compliance Focus as Cybersecurity Continues to Gain Prominence

After a series of high-profile data breaches at both financial and non-financial companies, regulators are increasingly highlighting the need for funds’ ongoing efforts to prevent and respond to hacking events. Amid this added scrutiny, fund managers will be expected to stay informed of their responsibilities and ensure they are in compliance. The issue of cybersecurity has been in the headlines in 2015 following data breaches involving several nationwide retailers and retail banks. The investment sector has also been affected, including the...

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Member News

CMS European M&A Outlook 2015

Executives cautious as M&A deal value rises but the number of deals decreases • Deal value has risen by 17% for the first half of the year while the volume of deals for the first half of 2015 dropped by 14% compared to last year • European M&A market remains attractive to foreign acquirers • Respondents believe private equity is now the most available source of financing • The TMC sector has overtaken Industrials and Chemicals as the most sought after this year M&A...

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Member News

Sweden Customs and Etiquette Brief

KINGDOM OF SWEDEN / KONUNGARIKET SVERIGE -  Country Overview: Location: Northern Europe, bordering the Baltic Sea, Gulf of Bothnia, Kattegat, and Skagerrak, between Finland and Norway Size: 450,295 sq km Population: 9,747,355 (2014 est.) Capital: Stockholm Exports-commodities: machinery, motor vehicles, paper products, pulp and wood, iron and steel products, chemicals, hydropower Imports-commodities: machinery, petroleum and petroleum products, chemicals, motor vehicles, iron and steel; foodstuffs, clothing Currency: Swedish Kronor (SEK) Ethnic groups: Swedes with Finnish and Sami minorities; foreign and first-generation immigrants: Finns, Yugoslavs, Danes, Norwegians, Greeks, Turks Religion: Lutheran...

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Chapter News

Lagarde Calls for ‘Policy Upgrade’ to Combat Uncertain Global Outlook

Policy makers will need to strengthen policies to address current challenges and help lead the world economy to recovery, IMF Managing Director Christine Lagarde said in a speech at the Council of the Americas. “I am calling on policymakers to make a policy upgrade to address the current challenges,” Lagarde said. Lagarde, speaking ahead of the IMF-World Bank Annual Meetings that take place October 9-11 in Lima, Peru, stated that the world is at a “difficult and complex juncture.” The prospect of...

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Chapter News

New EU Rules To Promote Investments In Infrastructure Projects

What does the Capital Markets Union have to do with infrastructure in Europe? One of the goals of the Capital Markets Union is to help mobilise capital in Europe and channel it to the infrastructure and long term sustainable projects that Europe needs to create jobs. By amending the rules on how much capital insurance companies need to hold, the Commission is giving them incentives to invest for the long-term in infrastructure. These changes will free up millions of euros...

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Chapter News

Capital Markets Union: an Action Plan to boost business funding and investment financing

The European Commission is launching the Capital Markets Union Action Plan today to help build a true single market for capital across the 28 EU Member States. As part of the Juncker Commission priority to boost jobs, growth and investment across the EU, the Capital Markets Union (CMU), a key pillar of the Investment Plan, aims to tackle investment shortages head-on by increasing and diversifying the funding sources for Europe’s businesses and long-term projects. Also published today are the first...

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Member News

GRANITO goes with GOLFO

GRANITO is pleased to announce its continued support of the Bellisario Foundation, the most important network of female leaders in Italy, at its upcoming event on October 2nd and 3rd in Milan. Hosted at EXPO 2015, the event will focus on women's contribution to scientific research connected with EXPO's leading theme. Under the guidance of its visionary President, the Hon. Lella Golfo, the Bellisario Foundation continues to support and promote professional and entrepreneurial female leaders in influencing and contributing to the world around them. GRANITO welcomes women to join...

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Chapter News

Results of the ECB Euro Money Market Survey 2015

Overall money market turnover in the second quarter of 2015 fell to the level of the same quarter of 2012, with a year-on-year decline of 12% to €69 trillion (compared with a revised 7% year-on-year rise in the 2nd quarter of 2014) Decline especially noticeable in the largest market segment, the secured market, and in the unsecured market The switching of funds into longer maturities on account of value or regulatory considerations contributed to the decline in turnover Perceived deterioration in liquidity...

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Chapter News, Uncategorized

Get ready for the European cybersecurity month and find out ways to use internet in a safer way

The European cybersecurity month, the EU's campaign to promote cybersecurity, is launched today in Brussels. More than 100 events and activities in 25 countries are organised to provide users with advice and to share good practices. Vice-President Ansip, in charge of the Digital Single Market, said: "Trust and security are key components of the Digital Single Market. We cannot get the best out of the opportunities offered by digital tools and online networks if we do not trust them. Raising awareness of the...

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