SEC Looking at the Sale of Principal Protected Notes
The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) is reviewing how financial companies market principal protected notes (PPNs), according to Bloomberg news. The SEC's inquiry is focused on how companies describe the products' risks and whether the term "principal protected" is misleading and implies that the investment is guaranteed not to fall in value.
UBS had sold more than $1 billion of PPNs, described as safe investments backed by Lehman Brothers that were "guaranteed" against loss of principal. Au contraire, following Lehman Brothers' bankruptcy filing on September 15, 2008, the PPNs are now in default causing the holders of these PPNs to become senior unsecured creditors in the Lehman bankruptcy proceeding. Practically speaking, these investors are left with virtually worthless investments.
PPNs have reemerged after losing much of their appeal during the time of the Lehman Brother collapse. The SEC's delve into the sales and marketing practices of PPNs is a likely an attempt to ensure that investors are not lulled again with a false sense of security associated with these products.
Continue reading "SEC Looking at the Sale of Principal Protected Notes" »