The CFTC staff will hold a public roundtable on Tuesday, February 5, 2013 to discuss the CFTCs proposed rulemaking, Enhancing Protections Afforded Customers and Customer Funds Held by Futures Commission Merchants and Derivatives Clearing Organizations, which was published for public comment on November 14, 2012 (a fuller description of that proposal, as well as a link to the release itself, is set forth in the related news item linked below). Comments on the proposed rulemaking must be filed with the Commission by February 15. The roundtable will focus on: the role of an Examination Expert to

The SEC is extending the expiration dates to its interim final rules that provide exemptions under the Securities Act, the Exchange Act, and the Trust Indenture Act for security-based swaps that, as a result of Dodd-Frank Title VII, are presently defined as "securities". Without the exemption, security-based swaps would be subject to the ordinary provisions of the securities laws (such as the prospectus-delivery requirement, or the requirement that they be issued subject to a qualified indenture). Under the amendments, the expiration dates for the exemptions in the interim final rules is

The CFPB published in the Federal Register proposed amendments to Regulation Z that would provide certain exceptions from these requirements, including exemptions for certain nonprofit creditors and certain homeownership stabilization programs, as well as an additional definition of a "qualified mortgage" for certain loans made and held in portfolio by small creditors.Click here to view our original story, analysis and commentary on the proposed amendments. Comments Due: Comments generally must be received on or before February 25, 2013. View rule release in full: 78 FR 6621.

The CFPB published in the Federal Register final amendments to Regulation Z regarding its "Ability-to-Repay" rule requiring mortgage lenders to make "reasonable, good faith determinations" that customers are able to repay loans, and establishing minimum requirements for making such determinations. Click hereto view our original story on the Final Rule. Effective Date: January 10, 2014. View rule release in full: 78 FR 6407.

SEC Commissioner Daniel M. Gallagher delivered a speech before the Corporate Directors Forum, in which he discussed the proper role of federal government in the corporate governance realm. In particular, Commissioner Gallagher asserted that the standard response to severe economic downturns or epochal corporate scandals is hurried and reactive federal legislation and regulation; and usually onerous, requirements as "feel good and cure all" responses to perceived problems. According to Commissioner Gallagher, such legislation and its implementing regulations are rushed out without serious