The CFTC announced that Farr Financial has agreed to pay a $280,000 civil monetary penalty to settle charges that it failed to properly invest customer segregated funds, and failed to diligently supervise those investment activities. View order here (links externally to CFTC website). See also: CFTC Press Release.

The FDIC adopted a final rule related to the FDIC's large bank pricing methodology. The final rule, which applies only to institutions with $10 billion or more in assets, defines certain higher-risk assets as used in the deposit insurance pricing scorecards for large and highly complex insured depository institutions. Assets meeting these definitions will generally result in higher deposit assessments. The final rule (i) revises the definitions of certain higher-risk assets, specifically leveraged loans, which are renamed "higher-risk C&I loans and securities," and subprime consumer loans

This SEC letter is intended to provide information to newly registered investment advisers as to the National Exam Program, and to provide information about upcoming examinations and the topical areas that may be examined. Among the areas on which examination is expected to focus are the following: Marketing Portfolio Management Conflicts of Interest Safety of Client Assets (custody) Valuations View letter here (links externally to SEC website).

The MSRB published a reminder that, effective November 5, brokers, dealers and municipal securities dealers must begin reporting the contractual dollar price at which an inter-dealer transaction is executed, in addition to the information currently reported. Further, all dealers that report inter-dealer transactions to the MSRB Real-Time Transaction Reporting System will need to make system and/or procedural changes to prepare for this change. View notice in full here (links externally to MSRB website).

The NFA has released a list of Board and Nominating Committee members whose terms shall expire at the 2013 Annual Election to be held on January 15, as well as a form to nominate persons eligible to fill the vacancies on the Board of Directors and the 2013 Nominating Committee. The results of the election will be circulated prior to the Annual Meeting in February. View notice here (links externally to NFA website).