ICE issued an Exchange Notice to provide guidance on ICE Futures U.S. ("IFUS") Rule 6.13 regarding position accountability levels. ICE clarified that, while owning or controlling a position exceeding an accountability level would not constitute a violation of IFUS Rule 6.13, the position should be managed in a manner that avoids substantial market impact or undue influence on prices. ICE's guidance stated that: If a Person holds a position in excess of an accountability level at a time when spot-month limits are not in effect, IFUS Market Regulation (Market Regulation) may initiate an

ICE Futures U.S. ("IFUS") announced that it will adopt position limits, accountability levels, and block trade requirements for six newly listed financial natural gas contracts, six financial environmental contracts and four physical environmental contracts. In addition, IFUS will require large trader reporting for these contracts. Large trader position reports are generated by clearing firms and transmitted daily to ICE Clear Europe. Upon the first instance in which an account exceeds an Exchange reportable threshold, a clearing firm must promptly submit a completed CFTC Form 102 to IFUS

The CFTC announced in a press release that the CFTC's Office of Consumer Outreach is making available new print resources to help consumers learn ways to protect themselves from frequently encountered commodity futures trading frauds. Print brochures and Commissioner Bart Chilton's book, Ponzimonium, are available on the CFTC's consumer resources web page. Click here to learn more (links externally to CFTC website).

SIFMA, the American Council of Life Insurers and the Committee of Annuity Insurers submitted a joint no-action letter to the SEC under Section 15(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 ("Exchange Act") in regard to insurance agencies' networking arrangements. The letter requires that the insurance agencies: (1) enter into arrangements with registered broker-dealers ("insurance networking arrangements") for the offer and sale of variable annuity contracts, variable life insurance policies, and other life insurance policies or annuity contracts that are also securities or are otherwise

The FDIC and OCC proposed for public comment supervisory guidance to FDIC and OCC-supervised financial institutions, respectively, that offer or may consider offering deposit advance products. The proposal is intended to ensure that banks are aware of a variety of safety and soundness, compliance, and consumer protection risks posed by deposit advance products. According to the guidance, a "deposit advance product" is a small-dollar, short-term loan that a depository institution (bank) makes available to a customer whose deposit account reflects recurring direct deposits. The customer is