The CFTC approved a final rule to conform the CFTC's existing intermediary registration rules to changes made to the CEA by the Dodd-Frank Act. In large part, these final regulations are based on the CFTC's proposed regulations regarding part 3 (Registration). The conforming amendments largely consist of adding references, where appropriate, to SDs, MSPs and swap execution facilities (SEFs). In addition, the adopted regulations contain modernizing and technical amendments to part 3 in anticipation of an influx of new registrants. Further, the adopted regulations clarify or update definitions

The Board of Directors of National Futures Association (NFA) approved amendments to NFA Financial Requirements that will require each futures commission merchant (FCM) to provide its Designated Self-Regulatory Organization (DSRO) with view-only access via the Internet to account information for each of the FCM's customer segregated fund account(s) maintained and held at a bank or trust company. Under this rule, the relevant DSRO would be able to check any customer segregated and secured bank account balance maintained for any FCM without asking the FCM or the bank holding the assets for

The SEC Advisory Committee on Small and Emerging Companies is providing notice that it will hold a public meeting on September 7th 2012, in the Commission's San Francisco Regional office. The agenda for the meeting includes discussions of market structure issues and their impact on initial public offerings and other matters relating to rules and regulations affecting small and emerging companies under the federal securities laws. The public is invited to submit written statements to the Committee. [Lofchie's Comment: The meeting is likely to discuss issues relating to the implementation of the

A report on the FRBNY website asserts that restrictions on short sales have a negative impact on the prices of the securities in which short sales are restricted. For a full discussion of the regulations applicable to short selling, see Lofchie's Guide to Broker-Dealer Regulation, Trading Chapter. View report here (links externally to NY Fed website).

FINRA has implemented new procedures regarding application of the late disclosure fee under Section 4(h) of Schedule A to the FINRA By-Laws to the reporting of judgment/lien events on Forms U4. Under the new procedures, FINRA is requesting that member firms provide the date the registered person learned of the judgment/lien on Form U4 when reporting such events and will assess the late disclosure fee based on that date. Effective Date: August 13, 2012 View notice in full here(links externally to FINRA website).