The SEC announced a technology and trading roundtable discussion (open to the public) on October 2, 2012. The first panel will focus on the prevention of errors throughout robust system design, deployment and operation. The second panel will focus on the responses to errors and malfunctions and managing crises in real time. View notice in full here (links externally to SEC website).

The NFA has permanently barred an independent introducing broker, Atlantas Group Inc., and bars Atlantas's owner, president, sole AP and listed principal, Edmund K. Hysni, for seven years, and Steven H. Joseff, who worked in the capacity of an AP, for five years. There is a lot going bad here, including high markups and unsuitable trades. View news release here (links externally to NFA website). See also: NFA Complaint.

The ICE Futures Exchange announced that, effective immediately, the Exchange will delist all currently listed expiration months in the Reuters Jefferies/CRB Index futures contract and the CCI Index futures contract. The Reuters Jefferies/CRB Index will cease listing new expiration months for the contract; for the CCI Index futures contract, the November 2012 and the January, February and April 2013 expiration months will continue to be listed until the regular last trading day for the respective contract month. View notice in full here (links externally to ICE website).

ICE Clear U.S. announced that current requirements for clearing member collection of initial margin from their customers will not change as a result of CFTC Regulation 39.13(g)(8)(ii) going into full effect on October 4, 2012. CFTC Regulation 39.13(g)(8)(ii) requires ICE Clear U.S. clearing members to collect initial margin from their customers, for non-hedge positions, at a level that exceeds the original margin rate ICUS collects from its clearing members. Cross-Reference(s): CFTC Rule 39.13(g)(8)(ii) (Risk Management - Customer Initial Margin Requirements). View notice in full here (links

The SEC announced that three former bank executives in Nebraska are being charged for participating in a scheme to understate millions of dollars in losses and mislead investors and federal regulators during the financial crisis. The majority of the bad loans were related to real estate. To top things off, there is also an insider trading charge. Lofchie Comment: Perhaps we could rename Title VII of Dodd-Frank the Omaha Nebraska Accountability Act. View press release in full here (links externally to SEC website). See also: SEC complaint against the Lundstroms and Laphen; SEC complaint against