FINRA proposed amending its rule on the collection and distribution of "new issues reference data" for corporate bonds and charge-associated fees. The proposal is intended to create a new issue reference data service for corporate bonds. The proposed amendments to Rule 6760 would specify additional required data elements. Underwriters subject to Rule 6760 would be required to report, among additional data elements: the International Securities Identification Number; the base currency; the issue date; the first settlement date; the interest accrual date; and the day count description. The

At a meeting of the CFTC Technology Advisory Committee ("TAC"), members heard presentations from subcommittees on crypto regulation, virtual currencies and distributed ledger technology ("DLT") adoption. The TAC was established to "advise the Commission on the impact and implications of technological innovations on financial services and the futures markets, and the appropriate legislative and regulatory response to increasing use of technology in the markets." Commissioner Brian Quintenz sponsors the TAC on a rotating basis. Members include representatives of futures exchanges, self

A U.S. industrial tool manufacturer, and its China-based subsidiary, agreed to settle alleged violations of the Iranian Transactions and Sanctions Regulations. According to the OFAC, Jiangsu Guoqiang Tools Co., Ltd. ("GQ") - the subsidiary of Stanley Black & Decker, Inc. ("Stanley") - exported 23 shipments of power tools and spare parts directly to Iran, or to other destinations, with knowledge that such goods were "intended specifically for supply, transshipment, or reexportation" to Iran. OFAC stated that while Stanley voluntarily self-disclosed the alleged violations, they are considered to

A broker-dealer agreed to settle FINRA charges for trade reporting and capital rule violations. According to the Letter of Acceptance, Waiver and Consent, McDonald Partners LLC ("McDonald"): neglected to report certain municipal securities transactions to the MSRB's Real-Time Transaction Reporting System; conducted securities business while failing to keep the required minimum net capital; and prepared incorrect general ledger, trial ledger and net capital computations. To settle the charges, McDonald agreed to a censure and to pay a civil monetary penalty of $22,500.

The CFTC adopted an amended substituted compliance determination relating to Japanese swaps margin requirements. The new determination updates a previous determination by finding comparability as to (1) the scope of entities subject to margin requirements and (2) the treatment of inter-affiliate transactions. As to scope of entities, the CFTC states that it applies to requirements for both initial and variation margin requirements. As to inter-affiliate requirements, the CFTC noted that Japanese requirements do not require variation margin between affiliates, as the CFTC rules do, but cited