From the category archives:

CTA

Recent Issues with NFA Annual Questionnaire

February 12, 2010

As we discussed in an earlier post on NFA Annual Questionnaire, NFA Member Firms are required to complete the questionnaire on an annual basis.  The information helps the NFA in a variety of ways and the NFA encourages members to update their questionnaire on a regular basis, although firms are only required to complete it, at [...]

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NFA Self-Examination Checklist 2010 | FCMs, IBs, CPOs and CTAs

February 8, 2010

Easy Step by Step Guide for NFA Member Firms
NFA Member Firms are all required to complete a yearly self-examination checklist to ensure that the Member Firm is complying with all the NFA Rules (as well as the CFTC Regulations and other applicable laws).  The NFA has provided some resources on their website.  We believe that [...]

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CTA and CPO Foreign Language Disclosure Documents

January 20, 2010

Translating a Disclosure Document to Another Language is Fine
NFA Member Firms are required to have their disclosure documents reviewed by the NFA generally before such firms can distribute the documents to potential investors.  One issue which sometimes arises is when the firm (generally either a CTA or CPO) has potential clients/investors who are non-U.S. citizens [...]

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Eligible Contract Participant (ECP) Definition

January 15, 2010

The term “eligible contract participant” is important with regard to managers who provide advice on futures and commodities investments (including off-exchange spot foreign currency or “forex”).  In general there are exemptions from various CTA, CPO and IB registration provisions for those managers who only provide advisory services to those clients who fall within the definition [...]

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NFA Provides Social Networking Compliance Guidance

January 12, 2010

Member Firms Subject to Increased Oversight & Compliance Responsibilities
In early December the National Futures Association (“NFA”) submitted two proposed amendments proposed amendments to the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (“CFTC”) regarding NFA Member Firms and their use of the internet and social media networks.  The amendments focus on communications by firms over the internet in various [...]

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NFA Annual Questionnaire

January 11, 2010

Reminder to NFA Member Firms
As part of the annual processes and procedures NFA Members will need to make sure that they complete the NFA Annual Questionnaire.  As discussed below in the NFA’s most recent notice to members, it is important that NFA Members complete the questionnaire because some of the answers will appear as BASIC [...]

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Qualified Eligible Person (QEP) Definition

December 24, 2009

The securities laws can be written obtusely and the definition of a qualified eligible person (QEP) may be one of the best examples of this.  There is no quick and easy definition of a what a QEP is so we are trying to make it as easy as possible to understand.  This post discusses the [...]

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CTA Lead List Basics

November 6, 2009

By Bart Mallon, Esq. (www.mallonpc.com)
“Purchased Lead Lists and How to Use Them”
A good resource for CTAs that are actively trying to raise money are lead lists – lists of names and contact information of potential future clients or investors.  This overview is for the CTA Expo 2009 program entitled Purchased Lead Lists and How to [...]

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CTA Regulatory and Compliance Discussion

November 2, 2009

By Bart Mallon, Esq. (www.mallonpc.com)
“Compliance in a Changing Environment”
As we are all well aware both the investing and the regulatory environments have experienced a dramatic refocusing on compliance and related issues in the wake of the 2008 meltdown and the Bernie Madoff affair.  This overview is for the CTA Expo 2009 program entitled Compliance in [...]

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CTA Advertising and Marketing Issues to Consider

October 28, 2009

By Bart Mallon, Esq. (www.mallonpc.com)
Marketing for Small CTAs
For small commodity trading advisory (CTA) firms, marketing and advertising the expertise of the principals is a central way to gain new clients and make more money.  This overview is for the CTA Expo 2009 program entitled Marketing for Small CTAs. The program was sponsored by Traderview and [...]

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