The SEC charged Goldman Sachs and one of its former investment bankers with the first ever SEC enforcement action for "pay-to-play" violations involving "in-kind" non-cash contributions to a political campaign - resulting from undisclosed campaign contributions to then-Massachusetts state treasurer Timothy P. Cahill while he was a candidate for governor. Pay-to-play schemes involve campaign contributions or other payments made in an attempt to influence the awarding of public contracts for securities underwriting business. View press release here (links externally to SEC website). See also

Alternative Investment Management Association (AIMA), the global hedge fund industry association, announced last week that former SEC Commissioner Kathleen Casey will be the new non-Executive Chairman, replacing Todd Groome. The new AIMA Council will consist of Casey; Olwyn Alexander, Partner, PwC; Mark O’Sullivan, Partner, Ernst & Young LLP; Phil Schmitt, President, Summerwood Capital Corp.; and Henry Smith, Global Managing Partner, Maples and Calder. Those continuing their Directorships of AIMA are Andrew Baker, Chief Executive Officer, AIMA; Andrew Bastow, General Counsel, Director of

See below for date, rulemaking discussed, CFTC staff present, visitors, and organizations represented. WHEN: 9/25/2012 Rulemaking(s): General CFTC Staff: Jill SommersMarcia BlaseKevin BattehJon DeBord Visitor(s): Robert FernandezSara KeganKevin JonesSheri Pevratil (by phone)Heather Glass (by phone)Mary McGavey (by phone) Organization(s): NYISOHunton Williams

The FDIC announced the appointment of John Vogel as Regional Director in New York wherein he will direct the supervision of approximately 890 FDIC-insured depository institutions with assets of more than $1.5 trillion. Previously, Mr. Vogel had served in New York as Deputy Regional Director for Risk Management. View press release here (links externally to FDIC website).

FINRA is filing with the SEC a proposed rule change to amend Section 1 of Schedule A to the FINRA By-Laws to adjust the rate of FINRA’s Trading Activity Fee (#8220;TAF#8221;) for round-turn transactions in security futures. View text of proposed rule change here(links externally to FINRA website).