On February 26, 2013, the organization Occupy the SEC, through two of its members, filed suit in federal district court against certain named officials at the OCC, Federal Reserve, FDIC, SEC, CFTC, and the Department of the Treasury. The lawsuit seeks a writ of mandamus from the court, ordering the named officials to issue final regulations implementing the Volcker Rule. See : Taylor v. Bernanke, et al.

FINRA's podcast of its March compliance and news recap: Notices FINRA amended its Reporting Requirements rule to remove duplicate reporting. As detailed in Reg. Notice 13-08, the amendments to Rule 4530 allow filing requirement exceptions for information already reported on Form U4, as well as findings and actions by FINRA. These amendments became effective on March 4, 2013. A new online filing option for required documents will also become available on July 1. The SEC approved amendments to the rule governing the Trade Reporting and Compliance Engine ("TRACE"). These services will start on

The North American Securities Administrators Association ("NASAA") announced an "aggressive advocacy agenda" calling for affirmative Congressional action to promote investor confidence. During a news conference at the National Press Club, NASAA President and Arkansas Securities Commissioner Heath Abshure, and Steve Irwin, NASAA President-elect and Pennsylvania Banking and Securities Commissioner, outlined the following five specific areas in which they will seek Congressional action in the 113th Congress: 1. Promote Sustained Investor Confidence by Ensuring Market Transparency, Enhancing

The meeting will occur with the Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies. See below for details. What: CFTC Chairman Gary Gensler and Commissioner Scott O'Malia to testify before the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Appropriations, Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies When: March 6, 2013, 10:00 AM Where: 2362-A Rayburn House Office Building, Washington, DC Subject: Budget Hearing: Commodity Futures Trading Commission

The SEC Office of Support Services released its 2013 Chief FOIA Officer Report. See below for main topics in the report: Steps Taken to Apply the Presumption of Openness; Steps Taken to Ensure that Your Agency Has an Effective System in Place for Responding to Requests; Steps Taken to Increase Proactive Disclosures; Steps Taken to Greater Utilize Technology; Steps Taken to Improve Timeliness in Responding to Requests and Reduce Backlogs; Use of FOIA's Law Enforcement "Exclusions"; Spotlight on Success. View Report in full here (links externally to SEC website).