On November 23, 2012, the SEC published in the Federal Registera proposed rule for public comment to establish capital, margin, and segregation requirements for security-based swap dealers and major security-based swap participants under the Exchange Act and amend capital requirements for broker-dealers. Comments Due: February 22, 2013. Click here to view release in full (links externally to SEC website).

FINRA has filed with the SEC a proposed rule change to amend FINRA Rule 4530(Reporting Requirements) to accomplish the following: Provide an exception from the rule for information disclosed on the Form U4 (Uniform Application for Securities Industry Registration or Transfer); Enable members to file required documents with FINRA online; and Provide an exception from the rule for findings and actions by FINRA. See: Text of Proposed Rule Change (links externally to FINRA website).

New SRO rules and rule proposals have been announced by the SEC. Click on the links to view the SEC's notices of each rule change and proposal. CFE: Effective Immediately - Rule Change Regarding Minor Rule Violations (See also: Exhibit 5) FINRA: Proposed Rule Change Relating to Amendments to the Customer and Industry Codes of Arbitration Procedure to Revise the Public Arbitrator Definition ISE: Effective Immediately - Rule Change to Amend the Schedule of Fees (See also: Exhibit 5) ISE: Effective Immediately - Rule Change to Amend the Schedule of Fees (See also: Exhibit 5) NASDAQ: Effective

The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency announced that Amy Friend - a former assistant chief counsel at the OCC - has been named the agency's Chief Counsel. Ms. Friend also previously served as chief counsel to the Senate Banking Committee, where she played an integral role in the development of the Dodd-Frank Act. Click here to view press release in full (links externally to OCC website).

This notice announces that the Information Collection Request ("ICR") abstracted in the notice ("Disclosure and Retention of Certain Information Related to Cleared Swaps Customer Collateral") has been forwarded to the Office of Management and Budget ("OMB") for review and comment. Comments Due: February 13, 2013. Cross-Reference(s): CFTC Rules Part 22 (Cleared Swaps). View notice here: 78 FR 2661.