At the IOSCO annual conference, committee members discussed IOSCO's strategic direction, risk identification and a number of other topics. As described, IOSCO's strategic direction will be implemented through 43 initiatives in action plans that cover six areas of priority: research and risk identification arising from the securities markets; improving the international regulatory framework for securities markets by developing standards and guidance; promoting the implementation of IOSCO standards through monitoring and assessment; addressing the needs of IOSCO members regarding capacity

The Futures Industry Association announced that it will host a webinar titled "Cybersecurity Threats: Preparation and Response." The webinar will include discussions from leaders of the Financial Services Information Sharing and Analysis Center and the FBI about available resources to market participants, the benefits of joining industry groups, and working with law enforcement to prevent and respond to cyberattacks. The webinar will be held on Monday June 29, 2015, at 2:30 p.m. EDT. See: Webinar Registration.

FINRA filed proposed rule changes with the SEC. The proposal would amend FINRA rules that govern temporary and permanent cease-and-desist orders. Specifically, the proposal would amend FINRA Rule Series 9100, 9200, 9300, 9550 and 9800 to: modify the evidentiary standard that must be met to impose a temporary cease-and-desist order; adopt a new expedited proceeding for addressing repeated failures to comply with temporary or permanent cease-and-desist orders; ease administrative burdens in temporary cease-and-desist proceedings; harmonize the provisions governing how documents are served in

The FINRA proposal to amend Rule 1250 ("Continuing Education Requirements") was published in the Federal Register. The proposed rule change would provide a web-based delivery method for completing regulatory element of the continuing education requirements. The proposed rule change also would amend Section 4(f) of Schedule A to the FINRA By-Laws to establish a fee for the Web-based delivery of the Regulatory Element. The proposed rule change would phase out the current option of completing the Regulatory Element in a test center, as well as the current option for in-firm delivery of the

The FINRA proposal to amend Rule 7470 was published in the Federal Register. The proposal would provide a four-year extension of FINRA's ability to exempt certain members from the recording and reporting requirements of the Order Audit Trail System ("OATS") Rules for manual orders received by those members. Although the proposal is effective immediately, comments may be submitted until July 8, 2015. See: 80 FR 34727. Related news: FINRA Proposes Amendments Regarding Exemptions from OATS Recording and Reporting Requirements (June 11, 2015).