NFA guidelines on the use of social networking groups
Felix Shipkevich - December 8, 2009On-line Social Networking Groups – Proposed Amendments to NFA’s Compliance Rule 2-29(h) and Adoption of Interpretive Notice
On-line social networking groups have changed the way people make trading decisions. A number of NFA Members sponsor blogs, chat rooms, and forums (also called message or bulletin boards), and some use sites like Facebook or Twitter for business [...]
NFA proposes amendments to the Interpretive Notice regarding Forex Transactions
Felix Shipkevich - December 3, 2009NFA Bylaw 1301(e) requires Forex Dealer Members to pay annual dues that are
graduated according to the firm’s gross annual revenue from customers (e.g.,
commissions, mark-ups, mark-downs) for its forex activities. Profits and losses
from proprietary trades are not to be included. To calculate dues:
• Start with the FCM dues imposed by NFA Bylaw 1301(b)(ii);
• Add $44,375 if [...]
NFA proposes amendments to Financial Requirements Section 15 regarding FDM internal financial controls
Felix Shipkevich - December 3, 2009Financial Requirements Section 15 currently requires firms to provide NFA with an internal control report prior to acting as an FDM. This report must be prepared by an independent public accountant registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board and must include representations by the accountant that the FDM’s internal financial controls have no material [...]
Congress Urged to Close Zelener Loophole
Felix Shipkevich - June 4, 2009NFA President Daniel Roth and Executive Vice President Daniel Driscoll urged Congress to close the Zelener loophole for non-forex products. In the CFTC vs. Zelener case, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit concluded that the rolling spot contracts in question did not qualify as futures contracts and that the CFTC therefore lacked [...]
Prohibition of loans by commodity pools to CPOs and affiliates
Felix Shipkevich - May 27, 2009NFA Compliance Rule 2-45 prohibits direct or indirect loans or any advance of pool assets between a pool and its CPO or any other affiliated person or entity, though participants, including a CPO’s principal, may barrow against their equity interests in a pool. Exemptions are to be handled on a case by case basis.
New security deposit requirements cap leverage
Felix Shipkevich - February 23, 2009FDMs must collect security deposits of 1% of notional value on major currency pairs and 4% on other currency pairs. FDMs that maintain 150% of their capital requirement will be exempted. The Interpretive Notice cites customer safety as a reason for the leverage restrictions. It also notes that the new standards bring security deposit requirements [...]
New capital requirements for FDMs
Felix Shipkevich - February 23, 2009In addition to the $20 million required by the CFTC Reauthorization Act of 2008, FDMs with over $10 million in customer liabilities and will be subject to capital requirements that take into account their total liabilities. FDMs that execute customer transactions exclusively via STP will be exempted. In general, the following formula will apply:
Amount required [...]
CFTC/NFA forum
Felix Shipkevich - August 27, 2008NFA Announcement: Definition of a Forex Dealer Member:
Proposed Amendments to NFA Bylaw 306, NFA Financial Requirements
Section 11(a), and the Interpretive Notice Regarding Forex Transactions
http://www.nfa.futures.org/news/PDF/CFTC/Bylaw306_FR11a_c082208.pdf
NFA Announcements
Felix Shipkevich - August 8, 2008NFA Announces Increase to FDM Capital Requirements
On August 27, 2008, NFA announced that the capital requirements for Forex Dealer Members (FDMs) imposed by CFTC Reauthorization were approved by NFA’s Board of Directors. Particularly Section 1, 11, and 12 will be modified pursuant to CFTC approval.
http://www.nfa.futures.org/news/PDF/CFTC/FR1_11a_12_082208.pdf
