Late Filers Possibly Subject to Disciplinary Action

The NFA issued a Notice to Members on July 21, 2011 (the “Notice”) reminding commodity pool operators (“CPOs”) registered with the NFA to file their quarterly pool reports in a timely manner. Most importantly, the NFA stated that beginning with the June 30, 2011 report, which is due on Monday, August 15, 2011, the NFA will review the filing history of any CPO that files the report late and determine whether disciplinary action is appropriate.  The Notice stressed the importance of filing in a timely manner, as the value to the NFA of the information reported diminishes the later a report is filed. Below is our quick summary of what is required in the quarterly report.

CPO Quarterly Report Requirements

NFA Rule 2-46 requires CPOs to file a pool’s quarterly report within 45 days after the end of the quarter. The report should be filed through the NFA’s EasyFile system and will include the following information:

Key Relationships – the CPO must report the identities of the pool’s administrator, carrying broker(s), trading manager(s), and custodian(s).

Statement of Changes of NAV – the CPO must report the change in the pool’s net asset value for the quarter. Information required includes beginning net asset value, net income, additions, withdrawals, ending net asset value, and special allocations to the CPO. Data for each of these fields will be broken down into values for the participants (generally limited partners) and the

CPO (the General Partner). Additionally, the CPO will be required to report information on any halts or material restrictions applicable to redemptions during the quarter.

Monthly Rates of Return – the CPO must report the monthly performance of the pool for each of the three (3) months comprising the quarter.

Schedule of Investments – the CPO must report a schedule of investments that identifies any investments that are 10% or more of the pool’s net asset value at the end of the quarter. The schedule will be separated into dollar-value breakdowns across seven categories of investments: (1) equities, (2) alternative investments, (3) fixed income, (4) derivatives, (5) options, (6) funds, and (7) cash.

CPOs should be sure to file the June 30, 2011 quarterly report for each pool that is subject to the reporting requirement by the August 15, 2011 due date. The full NFA Notice is reprinted below and can also be found here.

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Notice I-11-13

July 21, 2011

Regulatory Reminder to CPOs of Quarterly Reporting Requirements

In March 2010, NFA Compliance Rule 2-46 became effective. Rule 2-46 requires each CPO Member to report quarterly to NFA specific information on each pool that it operates (for which it has a reporting requirement under CFTC Regulation 4.22). The reports are due within 45 days after the end of the quarterly reporting period. NFA adopted this quarterly reporting requirement in order to regularly obtain certain performance and operational data that NFA staff utilizes to assess risks and identify trends related to Member CPOs.

Obviously, if a Member CPO does not file this report within the specified time frame, then the value of the report to NFA diminishes since the information becomes less useful as it ages. Beginning with the June 30, 2011 report, which is due on Monday, August 15, 2011, NFA will review the filing history of any CPO Member that files the report after its due date and determine whether disciplinary action is appropriate.

All Member CPOs with reporting requirements under Compliance Rule 2-46 must be aware of the filing deadlines for these quarterly reports on an ongoing basis and ensure that these quarterly reports are filed in a timely manner. NFA staff remains available to assist CPO Members in meeting this filing requirement. Anyone needing additional information regarding these quarterly reports should contact Tracey Hunt at (312) 781-1284. You may also review NFA's two-part brief video series that walks through the process of filing a pool quarterly report:

NFA's Expanded Filing Requirements for Commodity Pool Operators – Part One

NFA's Expanded Filing Requirements for Commodity Pool Operators – Part Two

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Cole-Frieman & Mallon LLP provides legal advice to NFA Member firms with respect to CFTC Regulations and NFA Rules.  Bart Mallon can be reached directly at 415-868-5345.