The 2013 Renewal Program begins on November 12, 2012, when FINRA makes the online Preliminary Renewal Statements available to all firms on Web CRD/IARD. View FINRA Regulatory Notice 12-46 in full here (links externally to FINRA website). See also: Press Release.

In light of the damage caused by Hurricane Sandy, and the necessity for FCMs (whose operational personnel are focused on business continuity/disaster recovery efforts) to finalize testing for compliance with the Part 22 regulations ("Cleared Swaps"), the Division is taking a no-action position with respect to the collateral segregation requirements of Section 4d(f)(2) and, accordingly, 4d(f)(3), (4) and (6) of the CEA ("Statutory Segregation Requirements"), during the period from November 8 to 13, 2012. Cross-Reference(s): Commodity Exchange Act Sec. 4d(f) [Dealing by unregistered futures

The staff of the Division of Clearing and Risk issued an interpretation regarding CFTC Rules Part 22, under which Futures Commission Merchants and Derivatives Clearing Organizations must legally segregate each Cleared Swaps Customer's collateral, but are permitted operationally to commingle the collateral of their Cleared Swaps Customers. The interpretation provides clarification regarding operational issues arising during preparation for the implementation of Part 22. Topics include: Definitions of Cleared Swaps Customer Collateral Limitations on the Use of Cleared Swaps Customer Collateral

Rule changes from DTC and NASDAQ. Click on the links to view the SEC notices of each rule change. DTC: Effective Immediately - Rule Change to Update Its Corporate Actions Service in Order to Introduce a New Standard to Communicate Certain Corporate Actions Information to Participants NASDAQ: Effective Immediately - Rule Change to Amend and Adopt Several NASDAQ Rules to Reflect Changes to Rules of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority ("FINRA") NASDAQ: Effective Immediately - Rule Change to Apply the Position Limit Exemption Rules of NASDAQ OMX PHLX LLC for Certain Index Options (See also

The Spanish authorities are limiting short positions with respect to Spanish financial institutions. Click here to view notice in full (links externally to CNMV website).