SIFMA submitted the attached comments to FINRA on its proposal in FINRA Regulatory Notice 13-02, which would require disclosures relating to recruitment compensation practices. SIFMA provides certain specific comments on the FINRA proposal, including as to the required timing of the disclosures, but comes out as generally supportive of the notion. Cross-Reference(s): FINRA Rule 4512 ("Customer Account Information"). Click hereto view letter in full (links externally to SIFMA website). See also: SIFMA Press Release. Related News Item: FINRA Requests Comment on a Proposed Rule to Require

The MSRB announced that, as part of its annual assessment to establish regulatory and other priorities, it is seeking comment on the priority issues that municipal market participants believe the MSRB should address during the upcoming fiscal year, which begins October 1, 2013. Comments Due : March 29, 2013. See: MSRB Regulatory Notice 2013-06.

The North American Securities Administrators Association ("NASAA") announced an "aggressive advocacy agenda" calling for affirmative Congressional action to promote investor confidence. During a news conference at the National Press Club, NASAA President and Arkansas Securities Commissioner Heath Abshure, and Steve Irwin, NASAA President-elect and Pennsylvania Banking and Securities Commissioner, outlined the following five specific areas in which they will seek Congressional action in the 113th Congress: 1. Promote Sustained Investor Confidence by Ensuring Market Transparency, Enhancing

The SEC Office of Support Services released its 2013 Chief FOIA Officer Report. See below for main topics in the report: Steps Taken to Apply the Presumption of Openness; Steps Taken to Ensure that Your Agency Has an Effective System in Place for Responding to Requests; Steps Taken to Increase Proactive Disclosures; Steps Taken to Greater Utilize Technology; Steps Taken to Improve Timeliness in Responding to Requests and Reduce Backlogs; Use of FOIA's Law Enforcement "Exclusions"; Spotlight on Success. View Report in full here (links externally to SEC website).

The meeting will occur with the Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies. See below for details. What: CFTC Chairman Gary Gensler and Commissioner Scott O'Malia to testify before the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Appropriations, Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies When: March 6, 2013, 10:00 AM Where: 2362-A Rayburn House Office Building, Washington, DC Subject: Budget Hearing: Commodity Futures Trading Commission