This notice distributes eligible FINRA small firm members the ballots to elect North and West Region members of the Small Firm Advisory Board (SFAB). FINRA small firm members in the North and West Regions as of the close of business on October 16th 2012 are eligible to vote in this election. Ballots are due by Friday, November 16th 2012. The newly elected SFAB members will take office in January 2013. View notice in full here(links externally to FINRA website).

This Election Notice notifies small firms of the election for the open National Adjudicatory Council (NAC) Small Firm seat and to distribute to eligible FINRA small firm members the ballots to vote for a Small Firm NAC Member. Small firms that are members of FINRA as of the close of business on October 16th 2012 will be eligible to vote. Ballots must be returned no later than November 16th 2012. View notice in full here (links externally to FINRA website).

This notice informs firms of the upcoming elections to fill vacancies on the FINRA District Committees and to distribute ballots to firms eligible to vote in the upcoming election. Firms that are members of FINRA as of the close of business on Tuesday, October 16th 2012, are eligible to vote for the seat corresponding to their district and firm size. Ballots are due by Friday, November 16th 2012. View notice in full here (links externally to FINRA website). See also: 2012 FINRA District Committee Election.

FINRA has expelled EKN Financial Services, Inc. of Melville, NY for numerous compliance violations and for allowing its CEO, Anthony Ottimo, to act as a supervisor despite the SEC Order that barred him from associating with any broker or dealer in a supervisory capacity. EKN, Ottimo and Giugliano also committed numerous AML violations, including failing to establish an adequate AML compliance program to detect and report suspicious activity. View Press Release in full here (links externally to FINRA website).

The CFTC will hold a public meeting on Thursday, October 25, 2012, at 1:00 p.m., to consider a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking on Enhancing Protections Afforded Customers and Customer Funds Held by Futures Commission Merchants and Derivatives Clearing Organizations. Click hereto learn more (links externally to CFTC website).