Chairman Jeb Hensarling announced the Financial Services Committee's March schedule of hearings. The committee will focus on the Federal Reserve's conduct of monetary policy, the need for a sustainable housing finance system, regulatory burdens hindering economic growth, and ending "Too Big to Fail." View details of the meeting here (links externally to Financial Services site).

Chairwoman of the U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry, Senator Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), announced that she and Ranking Member Senator Thad Cochran (R-MS) will begin the process of reauthorizing the CFTC later this year. She encouraged CFTC officials to finalize rules and finish implementing the Dodd-Frank Act. Stabenow and Cochran will release a joint letter in the coming days that will invite public input on reauthorization. View Statement in full here (links externally to AG Senate website).

FINRA announced that Steven J. Randich, currently Citigroup's Co-Chief Information Officer ("CIO"), will join the organization as Executive Vice President and CIO. Beginning March 11, Randich will oversee technology at FINRA, as well as FINRA's Registration and Disclosure division. Click hereto view announcement in full (links externally to FINRA website).

SIFMA’s CEO Kenneth Bentsen made the opening remarks at the AML and Financial Crimes Conference Event. CEO Bentsen called on compliance personnel to redouble their efforts in ensuring financial markets are safe, secure and vibrant. According to Bentsen, in order to maintain safe financial markets, flexibility is required in the rulemaking process to allow effective implementation of the rules without jeopardizing market function and efficiency. View Opening Remarks in full here (links externally to SIFMA website). See also: AML Financial Crimes Conference Event.

The Board of Directors of the NFA has elected Christopher K. Hehmeyer, Non-Executive Chairman at Penson Futures, to serve a one-year term as Chairman. View Press Release in full here (links externally to NFA website).