The CFPB published in the Federal Register final amendments to Regulation B and the commentary to the regulation.Click hereto view our original story on the Final Rule. Effective Date: January 18, 2014. Cross-Reference(s): Dodd-Frank Section 1474 ("Equal Credit Opportunity Act amendment"). View rule release in full: 78 FR 7215.

In a speech at the 11th annual Financial Services Conference, European Commissioner Michel Barnier gave a speech in which he stated that the three key actions needed to give Europe a stronger financial sector are: Building a banking union, Protecting consumers of financial services, and Creating a global level playing field. Click here to view speech in full (links externally to European Commission website). Note: This speech is only available in French.

The CFTC 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) position limits, (ii) SEF registration, (iii) real time reporting, and (iv) end-user exceptions. Click hereto view details about the meetings from the last 30 days (links externally to CFTC website).

CME Group announced its candidates for election to serve on the company's board of directors. The Board also agreed to move forward with the adoption of a majority voting standard and plans to formally adopt amendments to its Bylaws and Corporate Governance Principles prior to its 2013 annual meeting in May.

The SEC announced that George S. Canellos, currently Deputy Director of the Division of Enforcement, has been named Acting Director; David P. Bergers, Director of the SEC's Boston Regional Office, has been named Acting Deputy Director. The appointments are effective February 8. See: George S. Canellos Named Acting Director of Enforcement (SEC Press Release) and David P. Bergers Named Acting Deputy Director of Enforcement (SEC Press Release). See also related news story: Enforcement Director Robert Khuzami to Leave SEC