Tag Archives: NFA

Two Separate CPOs Subject to NFA Action

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In two separate actions the NFA has effectively shut down two separate Commodity Pool Operators who were operating in the Northeast.  The press releases are reprinted below.

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For Immediate Release

NFA takes emergency enforcement action against New York commodity pool operator

February 9, Chicago – National Futures Association (NFA) announced today, that it has taken an emergency enforcement action against Mark E. Bloom, a Commodity Pool Operator (CPO) located in New York City. Bloom has failed to cooperate with NFA in its investigation of allegations that Bloom and North Hills Management, LLC, operated an illegal commodity pool, and exercised unlawful control over $8 million which was given to them by a charitable trust and a corporation owned by that trust for the purpose of making investments on their behalf. North Hills Management, LLC is a former CPO and Commodity Trading Advisor Member of NFA of which Bloom was principal. The Member Responsibility Action (MRA) is deemed necessary to protect the commodity futures markets, pool participants, customers and other NFA Members.

Effective immediately, the MRA suspends Bloom from NFA membership and associate membership indefinitely. The MRA also prohibits Bloom from soliciting or accepting any customer or pool participant funds or placing trades for pools that he operates. Additionally, Bloom and any other person acting on his behalf, is prohibited from disbursing or transferring any funds from any accounts which he owns or controls without prior approval from NFA. NFA Members who carry accounts in the name of, controlled by or advised by Bloom are prohibited from disbursing funds to Bloom or to any entity or account controlled by him without prior NFA approval. The MRA provides that it will remain in effect until such time Bloom has demonstrated to NFA that he is in complete compliance with all NFA Requirements. Bloom may request a hearing before an NFA Hearing Panel.

NFA is the premier independent provider of innovative and efficient regulatory programs that safeguard the integrity of the futures markets.

For more information contact:
Larry Dyekman (312) 781-1372, [email protected]
Karen Wuertz (312) 781-1335, [email protected]

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For Immediate Release

NFA bars New Jersey commodity pool operator

February 9, Chicago – National Futures Association (NFA) has ordered Progressive Investment Funds (Progressive), a Commodity Pool Operator located in Glenrock, New Jersey, to withdraw from NFA membership and not reapply. Victor E. Cilli, Progressive’s sole principal, also agreed to withdraw from NFA membership. If Cilli reapplies for NFA membership in the future, his application will be subject to certain conditions, including a requirement that he pay a $10,000 fine. The Decision, issued by an NFA Hearing Panel, is based on a Complaint filed in August 2008 and a settlement offer submitted by Progressive and Cilli.

The Complaint charged that Progressive and Cilli had failed to produce certain books and records requested by NFA as part of an inquiry relating to a pool operated by Progressive. NFA previously issued a Member Responsibility Action against Progressive and Cilli in June 2008. See previous press release.
NFA is the premier independent provider of innovative and efficient regulatory programs that safeguard the integrity of the futures markets.

For more information contact:

Larry Dyekman (312) 781-1372, [email protected]
Karen Wuertz (312) 781-1335, [email protected]

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NFA Fingerprint Cards

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Information on Requesting and Submitting NFA Fingerprint Cards

Those persons who are registering with the CFTC in any capacity (Associated Person of a CPO, CTA, IB) will need to submit fingerprint cards to the NFA prior to their registration being effective. It is also likely that the new forex registration rules will require fingerprint cards from Associated Persons of Forex CPOs, Forex CTAs and Forex IBs.  Below are two announcements from the NFA regarding fingerprint cards.

You can request fingerprint cards from the NFA by calling: 312-781-1410 or 800-621-3570.

You can have the fingerprints done at any local police station.

You will send the fingerprint cards to this address:

NFA
Attn: Registration
300 South Riverside Plaza
Suite 1800
Chicago, Illinois 60606

Please note: recently we have seen clients who have had issues with having their fingerprint cards read by the NFA.  If you do not have a local police station take your prints (i.e. you have a notary or other group take the prints), you risk the prints being illegible which will slow down the registration process.  We recommend you always have your prints taken at a police station.

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Fingerprint Cards

Fingerprint cards are sent by NFA to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) to determine if the applicant has a criminal record. To conduct a check of its records the FBI must be able to analyze the print pattern of all 10 fingers. The FBI will reject fingerprint cards that do not have legible patterns for all 10 fingers. For this reason it is very important that you have your fingerprints taken by a person properly trained in rolling fingerprints.

NFA has issued a Registration Advisory [HFLB note: please see below] that provides guidance concerning fingerprinting to assist those who submit applications via the Online Registration System.

NFA can only accept and process a complete FBI “applicant card”. Applicants are encouraged to submit more than one set of fingerprints with their application to avoid delays in obtaining additional sets if necessary for processing.

We will return any fingerprint cards we receive which are incomplete or not an applicant card to the registrant and request new cards be sent as soon as possible.

NFA offers a fingerprinting service for NFA applicants at the Chicago office (300 South Riverside Plaza, Suite 1800) between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. for $15 (cash, check or money order). In order to use NFA’s fingerprint service, visitors must be pre-registered in the building’s visitor registry. Visitors should contact NFA’s Information Center (either by phone at 312-781-1410 or send an email to [email protected]) to register their name and date of visit so they can receive access to NFA’s offices on the 18th floor. NFA recommends that visitors pre-register at least a day prior to their visit.

All individuals being fingerprinted will be required to present two forms of identification, one of which is a valid picture ID issued by a government agency, in order to verify the identity of the person being fingerprinted. NFA now submits digital images of fingerprints to the FBI for criminal background checks. Results are received in three days or less, and in some cases within several hours, resulting in a faster and more efficient registration process. If you have any questions regarding the fingerprint process, please contact NFA’s Information Center at 312-781-1410 or 800-621-3570.

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Registration Advisory – Fingerprinting
July 29, 2005

As part of a 2003 Report to Congress (GAO-03-795), the United States Government Accountability Office identified potential weaknesses in controls with respect to the fingerprinting of individuals who submit fingerprints in connection with registration applications in the futures and securities industries. NFA is providing the following guidance to assist Members who submit applications via NFA’s Online Registration System (ORS).

Members are responsible for performing due diligence and establishing appropriate procedures in the hiring process. Members are required to submit fingerprint cards for each of their applicants for registration as associated persons or for approval as a principal. Members should use all available information gathered in the hiring process (both from the ORS application information and from any other hiring due diligence procedures such as background checks and employment references) to confirm that the person being fingerprinted is the same person submitting an application via ORS.

Members should consider incorporating the following fingerprinting practices in connection with filing registration applications in the futures industry. These recommended practices are intended to enhance the integrity of the fingerprinting process and complement Members’ existing procedures used to verify that the fingerprint card contains the fingerprints of the person whose application has been filed.

Members that use their own personnel to take fingerprints should consider:

  • Establishing and communicating internal fingerprinting procedures, and periodically reviewing and updating them;
  • Limiting the number of employees who are responsible for the fingerprinting process;
  • Training those employees to roll high-resolution fingerprints that will be accepted by the FBI; and
  • Training those employees to require the person being fingerprinted to present two forms of identification, one of which is a valid picture ID issued by a government agency, in order to verify the identity of the person being fingerprinted.

Members that use third parties to take fingerprints should consider requiring individuals to be fingerprinted at a location where the persons taking the fingerprints are likely to verify identity as well as the authenticity of identification cards presented, such as law enforcement offices and NFA’s Chicago office. Other locations that may provide fingerprinting services and that would be appropriate include military bases, government agencies and self-regulatory organizations.

If you have any questions regarding the information contained in this Advisory, please contact NFA’s Information Center at (800) 621-3570.

CPO Annual Report Guidance

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CFTC Release Provides Guidance on Annual Report Requirements

CFTC Rule 4.22(c) requires commodity pool operators to provide each investor in the commodity pool with certain information on an annual basis.  These Annual Reports must be provided to investors (generally in hard copy) within 90 days of the end of the CPO’s fiscal year (generally the calendar year).  These Annual Reports must also be filed with the NFA within 90 days of the end of the CPO’s fiscal year.  Because of the technical nature of the Annual Report requirement, the CFTC has released a reminder which provides information on a variety of technical aspects of the Rule.  Continue reading →

Annual Reminder for CPOs and CTAs

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Commodity Firms Need to Complete Annual Regulatory Information

The NFA recently released a regulatory reminder to firms which are registered as commodity pool operators and/or commodity trading advisors.  The reminder reminds CPOs and CTAs that there are certain annual regulatory items which a firm must complete in order to remain in good standing with the NFA.  I have reprinted these two releases below.  As a summary, the reports emphasize:

  1. Firms must complete an annual update and questionnaire.  Firms must pay of yearly dues to the NFA (which can be done online).  Firms should also make sure that all employees are appropriately registered as Associated Persons, as necessary.
  2. Firms should review the NFA Self Exam checklist to ensure compliance.
  3. Firms should send Privacy Policy to all investors/ clients.
  4. Firms should review and test the Disaster Recovery Plan.  If necessary, adjustments should be made.
  5. Firms should review Ethics Training Procedures.   If necessary, appropriate ethics training should be provided.
  6. Firms should file any new exemption notices with the NFA, if necessary.
  7. Firms should review their Disclosure Document.  As a reminder, the Disclosure Document must be no more than 9 months old and reviewed by the NFA.  If the CPO or CTA firm also trades in the off-exchange forex markets, the Disclosure Document must incorporate the new forex rules which were adopted on November 30, 2008 (see NFA Compliance Rule 2-41 on post regarding NFA to Begin Regulating Forex).
  8. (For CTAs) If the firm places bunched orders, the firm must conduct (and document) quarterly analysis of the of order allocation method.  The order allocation method must be fair and equitable.
  9. (For CPOs)  Firms must distribute the pool’s Annual Report to investors; Annual Report must also be submitted to the NFA.

Many of the above items can be done online.  Many of the above items should be overseen by a hedge fund/ securities attorney or an experienced NFA compliance consultant.  Please contact us if you would like more information on our annual NFA compliance packages which can be modified based on your needs.  We can also provide compliance support on an hourly basis. Continue reading →

Commodity Hedge Fund Reminder

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CPOs Reminded to Always File Timely Reports

The following release details the CFTC sanctions against four commodity pool operators (CPOs) for failure to make timely filings with the NFA.  The CPOs failed to make filings of the respective commodity pool annual report.  This report must be provided to all pool participants (investors) and must also be filed with the NFA.  In certain circumstances the NFA will provide extensions to CPOs.  We also note that the filing requirement applies to those CPOs who run hedge fund of funds which are also commodity pools.  Continue reading →

NFA Interpretive Notices on Advertising Practices – Applicable to NFA Forex Members

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Earlier we discussed a release by the NFA in which they expressed the desire to apply the NFA Compliance Rule 2-29 to current NFA Members who are involved in the off-exchange forex markets (see NFA Proposes Rule 2-29 Apply to Forex Members).  We believe that the CFTC will approve the NFA’s request and thus certain aspects of Compliance Rule 2-29 will apply to NFA Members who trade forex.  We also believe that once the forex registration provisions are promulgated by the CFTC, this compliance rule will also apply to those forex managers.  In anticipation of such developments, we’ve summarized below (and linked to) the major interpretive notices that the NFA has released on Compliance Rule 2-29. Continue reading →

Discussion of NFA Compliance Rule 2-29 (Forex Advertising)

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NFA Compliance Rule 2-29 is important right now for those commodity pool operators and commodity trading advisors who also trade in the spot forex market.  If the CFTC approves a rule adjustment by the NFA (see NFA Announces New Forex Rules), such CPOs and CTAs (who are NFA members) will need to make sure that all of their activity with regard to their forex trading activities conforms to the requirements of NFA Compliance Rule 2-29.

NFA Compliance Rule 2-29 is also important because the CFTC is expected to propose rules requiring managers who trade in the Forex markets, and who are not regisitered as CPOs or CTAs, to register with the CFTC.  In the event such registration rules go forward, it is likely that such Forex managers will need to follow Compliance Rule 2-29.  This article details the important aspects of this rule.  Continue reading →

NFA Makes Two Separate Announcements on New Forex Rules

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(www.hedgefundlawblog.com) Today the NFA made two separate announcements regarding proposed new forex rules.  The announcements follow a series of similar announcements last week regarding new forex rules (see NFA Continues to Pursue Forex Regulation for Current Forex Dealer Members).  The first announcement dealt with additions to Compliance Rule 2-36 and related Interpretive Notice Changes.  The second announcement dealt with a completely new forex Compliance Rule 2-43.

NFA Proposes Addition to Compliance Rules 2-36 and Related Interpretive Notices – this announcement contained a hodge-podge of different rules the NFA staff felt needed to be addressed.  The announcement centrally focuses on (i) requirement that forex hypothetical results be subject to the anti-fraud provisions of NFA Compliance Rule 2-29(c),* (ii) require FDMs to have an Associated Person file the required weekly reports, (iii) require FDMs to adopt written policies regarding the calculation of rollover interest charges and payments, and (iv) prohibits FDMs from trading a customer’s account when they are a counterparty to the trade.  Continue reading →

Hedge Fund Due Diligence – Affinity Fraud Alert

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In these uncertain and volatile markets hedge fund due diligence is more important than ever.  We’ve discussed how hedge fund due diligence is likely to change, but it is also important to note that hedge fund frauds can be detected through simple due diligence procedures.  In this vein, the NFA has released a notice and an alert on “affinity fraud.”  The NFA alert points out that there are many ways a potential hedge fund investor can protect themselves from a fraud by conducting basic research on the investment advisor, commodity pool operator, or forex manager.  If you are a hedge fund investor and would like a referral to a due diligence firm, please contact us.  Continue reading →

NFA Proposes that all CPO and CTA Disclosure Documents be Filed Online

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CFTC Responds by Proposing Changes to CFTC Regulations Regarding Disclosure Documents

The CFTC recently proposed a change to its regulations based on a request from the NFA.  The proposed regulations would require CPO and CTA disclosure documents to be submitted only online to the NFA for approval.  The CFTC is requesting comments on this proposal which must be recieved on or before December 26, 2008.  The Hedge Fund Law Blog will be sumitting comments on this proposal.  We believe that this is a good change.  We may also ask for clarification to make sure that such requirement will also apply to Forex CTOs and Forex CTAs.  Please let us know if you have any comments to the proposed rules which are reprinted in their entirety below.

Continue reading →