FINRA filed with the SEC a proposed rule change to amend FINRA Rule 6121 ("Trading Halts Due to Extraordinary Market Volatility") to extend the effective date of the pilot until the earlier of the initial date of operations of the Regulation NMS Plan to Address Extraordinary Market Volatility or February 4, 2014.The pilot is currently scheduled to expire on February 4, 2013. See:Text of Proposed Rule Change (links externally to FINRA 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. BATS: Effective Immediately - Amend BATS Rules in Connection with the Elimination of Discretionary Orders for BATS Options (See also: Exhibit 5) BOX: Proposed Rule - Change to List and Trade Option Contracts Overlying 1,000 Shares of the SPDR S&P 500 Exchange-Traded Fund (See also: Exhibit 5) C2: Effective Immediately - Rule Change Relating to Amending the Fees Schedule ICEEU: Notice of Withdrawal of Proposed Rule Change to Clear Western European

The SEC is extending the expiration dates to its interim final rules that provide exemptions under the Securities Act, the Exchange Act, and the Trust Indenture Act for security-based swaps that, as a result of Dodd-Frank Title VII, are presently defined as "securities". Without the exemption, security-based swaps would be subject to the ordinary provisions of the securities laws (such as the prospectus-delivery requirement, or the requirement that they be issued subject to a qualified indenture). Under the amendments, the expiration dates for the exemptions in the interim final rules is

The CFTC staff will hold a public roundtable on Tuesday, February 5, 2013 to discuss the CFTCs proposed rulemaking, Enhancing Protections Afforded Customers and Customer Funds Held by Futures Commission Merchants and Derivatives Clearing Organizations, which was published for public comment on November 14, 2012 (a fuller description of that proposal, as well as a link to the release itself, is set forth in the related news item linked below). Comments on the proposed rulemaking must be filed with the Commission by February 15. The roundtable will focus on: the role of an Examination Expert to

The CFPB published in the Federal Register proposed amendments to Regulation Z that would provide certain exceptions from these requirements, including exemptions for certain nonprofit creditors and certain homeownership stabilization programs, as well as an additional definition of a "qualified mortgage" for certain loans made and held in portfolio by small creditors.Click here to view our original story, analysis and commentary on the proposed amendments. Comments Due: Comments generally must be received on or before February 25, 2013. View rule release in full: 78 FR 6621.