Regulator settles with 12 firms for a combined US$63.1 million
Firms pay US$45 million to settle trade reporting, recordkeeping violations
Regulators aim to address concerns about retail investor protection
Firms charged over unapproved off-channel communications
Off-channel communications hamper regulatory oversight
Move aims to reduce the burden of printing and mailing disclosures to investors
Regulators to marry changes to disclosure rules with electronic access
Another 10 firms sanctioned for extensive recordkeeping violations
Regulators fined firms a total US$549 million for record-keeping failures
Changes aim to adapt regulator's requirements to tech innovation