The SEC's approval of FINRA's proposed rule change to amend the codes of arbitration procedure for customer disputes and industry disputes to increase arbitrator honoraria and increase certain arbitration fees and surcharges was published in the Federal Register. In general, the amendments increase the member surcharges and process fees for claims larger than $250,000, as well as filing fees for investors, associated persons or firms bringing claims of more than $500,000, and hearing session fees for claims of more than $500,000. See: 79 FR 59876. Related news: FINRA Proposes Rule Change to

The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency named Kathy K. Murphy as the agency's Senior Deputy Comptroller for Management and Chief Financial Officer. See: OCC Press Release.

The Chicago Mercantile Exchange Group ("CME Group") issued a Market Regulation Advisory Notice. Starting October 19, 2014, the CME will begin to permit Basis Trade at Index Close ("BTIC") block trades at a block trade minimum threshold of 50 contracts in USD Denominated Ibovespa futures. The Notice specifies the conditions and requirements that apply to block trades executed on the CME. The CME stated that the BTIC block trades will be subject to requirements that will be set forth in CME Rule 35406.A.

SIFMA submitted an amicus brief to the United States Second Circuit Court of Appeals regarding the case of Cohen v. UBS Financial Services. The amicus issue involves whether contractual arbitration and class waiver agreements between a FINRA member firm and its employees are prohibited under FINRA rules, and whether FINRA rules override the mandate of the Federal Arbitration Act. The brief argued that member firms and their employees may enter into agreements that supersede the FINRA rules. S ee: SIFMA Amicus Brief.

In a statement on ISDA's derivati Views website, ISDA's Chief Executive Officer Scott O'Malia remarked on his first few weeks at ISDA and on ISDA's areas of focus. Regarding near-term priorities, Mr. O'Malia highlighted (i) ISDA's work on a new "resolution stay" protocol intended to address the concerns of global regulators regarding financial institution insolvency, recent development and delivery by ISDA of a standard initial margin methodology, (ii) being granted a workable timetable to implement OTC margin rules, and (iii) developing clear principles as to how clearing house resolution