In its Form 10-Q filed August 7, 2009, State Street Corp. disclosed that on June 25, 2009, SEC staff sent it a Wells notice related to the SEC’s ongoing investigation into disclosures and management by SSgA of its active fixed-income strategies during 2007 and prior periods. The company stated that
The SEC Staff has informed us that it is proceeding with an enforcement recommendation to the SEC Commissioners asking the SEC Commissioners to authorize a civil enforcement action against us alleging violations of antifraud provisions of the federal securities laws. We are in discussions with the SEC regarding this inquiry and with the Massachusetts Secretary of State, the Massachusetts Attorney General and other regulators regarding their related inquiries. If the SEC or other regulators were to pursue an enforcement action, they would likely seek monetary or other penalties or remedies. Depending upon the resolution of these governmental proceedings, the remainder of the reserve established in 2007 may not be sufficient to address ongoing litigation, as well as any such penalties or remedies.
Zero Hedge observes that
As the current amount available in SSgA’s litigation reserve is a mere $193 million, the concern is that the newly disclosed enforcement action will reduce the reserve balance below zero.
