CME Group announced the launch of CME Direct Messenger, a sophisticated instant messaging platform for traders in the energy markets.

The sanctioned individual was involved with, among other things, "selling away" violations. In addition, the individual was charged with trying to conceal what were essentially brokerage-type services under the rubric of their being "consulting" services as to hide the fact that they were services that should have been performed by an SEC-registered broker-dealer. Cross Reference(s): Exchange Act Sections 15(b) and 21C; Investment Company Act Section 9(c). For a general description of the activities requiring broker-dealer registration, see Lofchie's Guide to Broker-Dealers, Chapter 2. View

Further to a news entry from July 19, 2012, this is a reminder of an interpretive notice to MSRB Rule G-17 that will become effective on Thursday, August 2. Additional Materials: Interpretive notice to MSRB Rule G-17 concerning the duties of underwriters to state and local governments; Summary of interpretive notice; Comprehensive implementation guidance; Presentation froM& June 27, 2012 live webinar.

The Federal Reserve Board on Tuesday announced its approval of the notice by BB&T Corporation, Winston-Salem, North Carolina, to acquire all the voting shares of BankAtlantic, Fort Lauderdale, Florida, a federal savings association. The acquisition was evaluated under various Dodd-Frank requirements relating to financial stability, as well as other provisions of banking law. Cross Reference(s): BHC Act Section 4(c)(8), 4(j); 12 CFR 225.24; 77 FR 1072; Dodd-Frank Act Sections 113, 151, 163, 173, 604, 622, and 623(b); Federal Deposit Insurance Act Section 1813(l); Community Reinvestment Act (CRA

EUR-Lex July 27, 2012 Regulation 648/2012 of the European Parliament and of the European Council of 4 July 2012 on OTC derivatives, central counterparties and trade repositories (more commonly known as EMIR) has been published in the Official Journal of the European Union. The regulation will now enter into force on August 16, 2012. EMIR will be directly applicable in all Member States from that date, although many rules will only become effective after the publication of further delegated and implementing legislation, for example, the clearing and reporting obligations.