The NFA has permanently barred an independent introducing broker, Atlantas Group Inc., and bars Atlantas's owner, president, sole AP and listed principal, Edmund K. Hysni, for seven years, and Steven H. Joseff, who worked in the capacity of an AP, for five years. There is a lot going bad here, including high markups and unsuitable trades. View news release here (links externally to NFA website). See also: NFA Complaint.

The SEC announced a technology and trading roundtable discussion (open to the public) on October 2, 2012. The first panel will focus on the prevention of errors throughout robust system design, deployment and operation. The second panel will focus on the responses to errors and malfunctions and managing crises in real time. View notice in full here (links externally to SEC website).

The SEC announced that three former bank executives in Nebraska are being charged for participating in a scheme to understate millions of dollars in losses and mislead investors and federal regulators during the financial crisis. The majority of the bad loans were related to real estate. To top things off, there is also an insider trading charge. Lofchie Comment: Perhaps we could rename Title VII of Dodd-Frank the Omaha Nebraska Accountability Act. View press release in full here (links externally to SEC website). See also: SEC complaint against the Lundstroms and Laphen; SEC complaint against

The SEC has released an investor bulletin to help educate investors about affinity fraud, a type of investment scam that preys upon members of identifiable groups, such as religious or ethnic communities or the elderly. The bulletin is outlined as follows: What is Affinity Fraud? How Does Affinity Fraud Work? How to Avoid Affinity Fraud Recent Affinity Fraud Schemes What Should You Do if You Suspect Affinity Fraud? Additional Information View bulletin in full here (links externally to SEC website).

The CFTC Division of Market Oversight issued a letter advising the Bolsa de Valores, Mercadorias e Futuros (BVMF-Brazil) that its SP 500 Index futures contract submitted for review on August 9, 2012, was deemed certified. View letter here (links externally to CFTC website). See also: CFTC Press Release; BVMF SP 500 Memo. For a full discussion of the CFTC's jurisdiction over non-U.S. securities futures, see the Jurisdictional Chapter of the CPO-CTA Guide.