The OCC announced the selection of Donna Murphy as Director for Community and Consumer Law. Ms. Murphy will oversee the OCC's Law Department Division that provides legal interpretations and advice on consumer protection, fair lending, and community reinvestment and development issues. Click here to view announcement in full (links externally to OCC website).

New SRO rules and rule proposals have been announced by the SEC. Click on the links to view the SEC's notices of each rule change and proposal. C2: Effective Immediately - Rule Change Related to the Opening of the Complex Order Book CBOE: Effective Immediately - Rule Change Related to the Opening of the Complex Order Book FINRA: Effective Immediately - Rule Change to Modify the "Late Report-T+N" Fee Applicable to Members Using the FINRA/Nasdaq Trade Reporting Facility FINRA: Notice of Filing of Proposed Rule Change to Require Members to Report OTC Equity Transactions As Soon As Practicable

The Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau published adjusted exemption levels for Regulation Z and Regulation M on November 21, 2012. The adjustments reflect the annual percentage increase in the consumer price index that was in effect as of June 1, 2012. They are effective starting January 1, 2013. See: Amendment to Regulation Z; Amendment to Regulation M. See also: Press Release.

The CFTC has released information as to the subject of, and participants in, a number of recent meetings between the CFTC staff and the outside world addressing, among other Dodd-Frank topics: (i) SEF registration and (ii) the Position Limits Rule. See below for details of each meeting. DATE MEETING WITH RULEMAKING 02/06/2013More Info Fidelity PIMCO Vanguard SIFMA Goldman Sachs Asset Management XIII. SEF Registration 02/06/2013More Info Global Energy Alpine Group BG North America XXVI. Position Limits 02/04/2013 More Info ISE Eurex I. Registration XIV. FBOT Registration 02/01/2013 More Info

The Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection (the "Bureau") is publishing a final rule amending the official interpretations for Regulation Z (Truth in Lending). The Bureau is required to adjust annually the dollar amount that triggers requirements for certain home mortgage loans bearing fees above a certain amount. The Home Ownership and Equity Protection Act of 1994 ("HOEPA") sets forth rules for home-secured loans in which the total points and fees payable by the consumer at or before loan consummation exceed the greater of $400 or 8 percent of the total loan amount. In keeping with the