The NFA Examination Process

O c t o b e r 2 2 & 2 3 , 2 0 1 4 Patricia Cushing, Director, Compliance Cheryl Tulino, Director, Compliance Frank Carbonara, Manager, Compliance

Risk-Based Exam Selection

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    Commenced development of NFA’s Risk Management System in 2006 System analyzes the risk factors associated with each firm Generally, NFA examines CPOs and CTAs every 3-5 years More frequent exams if risk factors deem necessary

Risk factors that may prompt an examination

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     Customer complaints Business background of principals Concerns noted during a review of the firm’s promotional materials, disclosure documents and/or financial filings Referrals received from other agencies/members Time since registration or last exam

Use of PQR and PR data in Risk Analysis

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    Funds under management Degree of leverage Types of investments Performance returns

How to Prepare for an NFA Exam

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Self-Examination Checklist     First step toward a successful NFA exam General operations checklist Supplemental checklists for FCMs, IBs, CPOs and CTAs Signed attestation required

Other Available Resources

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    Publication: “NFA Regulatory Requirements for FCMs, IBs, CPOs and CTAs” NFA Podcast (10 minutes): “Preparing for an NFA Audit” NFA Podcast (10 minutes): “Registration Issues – Principals, APs and Branch Offices” Appendices to Self-Exam Checklist: ethics training, privacy policy, disaster recovery

Section Title 7

NFA Exam Process

Pre-exam  Planning Interview  Initial Record Request “Field work”  Opening and Exit Interviews  Document Review/Testing  Additional Record Requests Completion of Exam  Report  Corrective Action

Areas of Focus and Common Deficiencies

Areas of Focus

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Renewed Focus on Internal Controls       Policies and procedures Separation of duties Access Backgrounds of key personnel Due diligence Risk management

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Areas of Focus       Registration of APs and principals Promotional material Account opening Trading Bunched orders Supervision

Section Title 11

Category-Specific Areas of Focus

CPOs and CTAs  Disclosure and Performance Reporting  Handling of Pool Funds  Financial Reporting and Valuation of Assets FCMs, FDM and IBs  Anti-Money Laundering Procedures  Automated Order Routing Systems  Financial Statements (Net Capital and Seg)

Bylaw 1101: Due Diligence

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 Does the account appear to require registration?

 If not, why? (exemption, offshore)  If yes, why and is it registered?

 Is the pool operator an NFA member?

 Annually, review exempt entities (exemption affirmation)

Bylaw 1101: Where to look

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 BASIC-Registration Status  Part 4 Exemption Look-Up in ORS and BASIC  Ask client for copy of exemption  In all cases, document findings

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Areas of Focus on all Categories

 Promotional Materials and Sales Practices   Procedures, review and approval Balanced presentation  Registration, Common Deficiencies   Unlisted principals and branch offices; unregistered APs; APs not terminated Failing to update registration records  Tape Recording Requirements  FCMs, IBs and certain CTAs

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Anti-Money Laundering Program

     Applies to FCMs, FDMs and IBs Establish appropriate red flags Monitor for suspicious activity Provide training every 12 months Conduct an independent AML audit every 12 months

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Other FCM, FDM and IB areas

 Commissions receivable  Can only be current for 30 days of due date  Coding of Accounts   Non-customer accounts being coded as customer Only certain employee accounts need to be non-customer  Undermargined Accounts  Length of time accounts are undermargined while continuing to trade

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Bunched Orders

 Procedures for allocating split fills or partial fills  CTA must conduct a quarterly review of accounts to ensure that bunched orders are allocated in a non preferential manner

Pool Financial Reporting, Valuation of Assets And Handling of Pool Funds

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    Common Deficiencies: Incomplete account statements Information only included for the individual pool participant Statements must include information for the pool as a whole Statements do not properly itemize all required information

Pool Financial Reporting

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 Required information is missing beneath the oath on each account statement:     The name of the individual signing the account statement The capacity in which he or she is signing The name of the commodity pool operator for whom he or she is signing The name of the commodity pool for which the statement is being distributed

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NFA Compliance Rule 2-45

Prohibition on pools loaning money to the CPO or an affiliate:   Interpretive Notice outlines permissible transactions Receivables from general partner may be deemed “loans” in certain circumstances

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Disclosure Documents and Performance Reporting

 Operations inconsistent with disclosure       Fees Redemptions Trading strategy Conflicts of interest Banks, carrying brokers, custodians GP and/or CTA ownership interest  Performance Recordkeeping   Supporting worksheets Partial funding documentation

Thank you.