The SEC requested comments on the collection of information through its Form 18, which is "a registration form used by a foreign government or political subdivision to register securities for listing on a U.S. exchange," pursuant to Section 12(b) and 12(c) of the Securities Exchange Act. The SEC invited comments on (i) whether this proposed collection of information is necessary, (ii) whether the agency's estimate of the burden imposed by the collection of information is accurate, (iii) ways to enhance the quality, utility and clarity of the information collected and (iv) ways to minimize the

The Office of Investor Education and Advocacy provided information for investors about non-traded REITs. In the bulletin, a real estate investment trust ("REIT") is defined as a company that owns and typically operates income-producing real estate or real estate-related assets. Most REITs specialize in a single type of real estate, such as apartment communities. The bulletin includes a list of risks to consider before investing in REITs, such as a lack of liquidity and high fees. It also includes a comparison chart of REIT types.

The CFTC's proposed amendments to swap data recordkeeping and reporting rules for cleared swaps were published in the Federal Register. Comments on the proposal must be submitted by October 30, 2015.

FINRA's adoption of former NASD Rule 3040 as FINRA Rule 3280 ("Private Securities Transactions of an Associated Person") in the consolidated FINRA Rulebook "without any substantive changes" was published in the Federal Register. Like NASD Rule 3040, FINRA Rule 3280 states that, prior to participating in any private securities transaction, any person associated with a FINRA member must provide written notice to the member with which he or she is associated. FINRA Rule 3280 is effective immediately, but comments may be submitted until September 21, 2015.

The National Futures Association ("NFA") permanently barred a number of firms based in the British Virgin Islands from membership.The firms were ordered to withdraw from NFA membership and the firms' principal was ordered not to register as an associated person or act as a principal of an NFA Member for four years. An NFA hearing panel found the firms had (i) used misleading promotional material that exaggerated profit potential, downplayed the risk of trading futures and included hypothetical results that were not identified as such, (ii) recommended and/or placed trades that maximized