FINRA released a podcast outlining five things investors should know about securities professionals. The podcast discusses five "must-knows" for investors on what is required to be a securities professional and what is required to obtain and maintain FINRA registration: any person working for a brokerage firm who is involved with an investment firm's business must register with FINRA; securities professionals must pass qualifying exams before they can work in a specific area of business or handle certain securities; continuing education programs are required for securities professionals to

The Financial Crimes Enforcement Network ("FinCEN") fined the First National Community Bank ("FNCB") for failing to file suspicious activity reports on transactions involving illicit proceeds from a judicial corruption scheme. The judicial corruption scheme involved two judges who were convicted of misusing their positions as judges to profit from, among other things, sending thousands of juveniles to detention facilities in which they had a financial interest. According to FinCEN, despite numerous red flags indicating suspicious activity, FNCB failed to file a single suspicious activity

The CFTC Energy and Environmental Markets Advisory Committee ("EEMAC") reviewed important new developments in the energy and environmental derivatives markets. EEMAC discussed new challenges and potential regulatory responses to ensure market integrity, competition and consumer protection. Key takeaways from the meeting include: Chairman Massad stated that the timing to finalize the position limits rule has not changed and Commissioner Bowen expressed her desire to finish the rule by the end of the year. Participants indicated that the current position accountability regime works and a one

The CFTC issued a no-action letter that extends the previous conditional time-limited relief provided to Southwest Power Pool Inc. The letter extends the relief previously granted by the CFTC in prior no-action letters 14-18 and 14-109. Specifically, the letter provides exemptive relief pursuant to CEA Section 4(c)(6) (exemptions from trading on an exchange) from certain CEA provisions and CFTC rules for specified transactions that are offered or entered into pursuant to Southwest Power Pool's FERC-approved tariff. These transactions are offered on Southwest Power Pool's Integrated Marketplace

An SEC order instituting proceedings to determine whether to approve or disapprove FINRA's proposal to adopt Rule 2241 was published in the Federal Register. The proposal would incorporate, with modifications, NASD Rule 2711 ("Research Analysts and Research Reports") into the FINRA Rulebook as new FINRA Rule 2241 and amend NASD Rule 1050 ("Registration of Research Analysts") to create an exception from the research analyst qualification requirement. The SEC received four comments on the proposal since its filing, with three out of the four expressing general support. One commenter objected to