The company had not been immune from regulatory challenge previously. In 2003, the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) settled charges against Lehman Brothers that had arisen when Lehman’s research analysts gave supposedly indepdent investment advice on companies in which Lehman had an interest. Along with nine other brokerage firms, Lehman reached a settlement with the SEC, the New York Stock Exchange, the New York Attorney General, and other state regulator; Lehman agreed to pay US$50 million to settle the conflicts of interest case: one half to state regulators; the other half into a fund for the benefit of customers. In addition, Lehman paid US$25 million over five years to provide the firm’s clients with indepdentreseach, and US$55 million for invertor education.
In March 2010, an examiner appointed by the Bankruptcy Court reported questionable activities in 2007-08, claiming that Lehman had used period-end repurchase agreements, which temporarily removed securities from the balance sheet, showing them as sales to improve its financial standing.
* Following the collapse, the British Barclays Bank attempted to buy the company, but was prevented by UK and US regulatory concerns. Eventually, Nomura Holdings acquired the Japanese, Hong Kong, Australia, Asia-Pacific, European, and Middle East businesses.