FINRA has reminded firms of their obligation to file their annual audits, FOCUS (net capital) reports, and Supplemental Statement of Income Reports by the required due dates. This Notice lists due dates in 2013 for each of the specified types of reports. Cross-Reference(s): NASD Rule 3170 [Mandatory Electronic Filing Requirements]; FINRA Rule 4524 [Supplemental FOCUS Information]; Exchange Act Rule 17a-5 [Reports to Be Made by Certain Brokers and Dealers]. View Notice in full here (links externally to FINRA website).

The Futures Industry Association ("FIA"), the Institute of International Bankers ("IIB") and the Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association ("SIFMA") (collectively, the "Associations") submitted a joint letter requesting that the CFTC delay the effective date of numerous rules relating to swap regulation. Among the rule topics as to which delays were requested are the following: Reporting; External business conduct; Internal business conduct; and Confirmation, portfolio reconciliation, portfolio compression and swap trading relationship documentation. The Associations also requested

The Federal Reserve Bank of New York ("FRBNY") announced that Sara Horowitz, founder and executive director of the Freelancers Union and chief executive officer of the Freelancers Insurance Company, has been appointed as a Class C director of the New York Fed by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, starting January 1, 2013, for a three-year term ending December 31, 2016. The Board of Governors has also designated Emily K. Rafferty as chair and redesignated Kathryn S. Wylde as deputy chair of the New York Fed’s Board of Directors for 2013. View Press Release in full here (links

The CME Group announced its acquisition of the Kansas City Board of Trade ("KCBT"), the leading futures market for hard red winter ("HRW") wheat.

FINRA Rule 5270, addressing the front running of transactions, will replace NASD IM-2110-3 in the Consolidated FINRA Rulebook. Changes introduced by Rule 5270 include its application to a broader range of securities than IM-2110-3, inclusion of new Supplementary Material regarding permitted transactions, potential extension of the time period in which the front running rules apply, and codification that the front running of a customer order may violate other FINRA rules or the federal securities laws. Effective Date: June 1, 2013. View Notice in full here (links externally to FINRA website)