This article originally appeared in the February 1, 2013 edition of Futures Magazine.  To view the original, click here. Top most influential: 2012 movers and shakers In a year that included a rancorous presidential election campaign as well as global bank scandals uncovered seemingly every month, squeezing the largest influencers down to 20 was difficult. Although some

This article originally appeared in the February 1, 2013 edition of Crain’s Chicago.  To view the original, click here. By Lynne Marek Some members of the futures industry backed the National Futures Association’s decision to revamp auditing practices following an independent report this week on the $200 million Peregrine Financial Group Inc. fraud, but said

This article originally appeared on Denver’s 9News.com website.  To view the original, click here. IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — The judge overseeing the bankruptcy of an Iowa brokerage is facing an unusual decision about how to distribute its remaining assets: Should customers whose highly-regulated accounts were looted by the founder get larger refunds than those

This article originally appeared as part of a December 8, 2012 Reuters dispatch. By Tom Polansek and Ann Saphir Long-derided as unsuitable for sophisticated futures markets, insurance is getting a surge of attention heading into the new year as the industry works to patch itself up after the stunning collapse of brokerage MF Global in

This article originally appeared on the Farm Futures website on December 3, 2012. A trio of major speakers will discuss policy options designed to enhance futures market customer protections when they address the National Grain and Feed Association’s 41st annual Country Elevator Conference Dec. 9-11 in Omaha, Neb. Walt Lukken, president and chief executive officer

This article originally appeared as a November 21, 2012 Reuters dispatch. By Tom Polansek WASHINGTON, Nov 21 (Reuters) – Cantor Fitzgerald will pay a $700,000 fine to settle allegations it allowed a shortfall in futures-customer funds just months after the collapse of MF Global left a gaping hole in customers’ accounts, regulators said on Wednesday. The

This article originally appeared in the November 14, 2012 edition of the Delta Farm Press. by David Bennett It has been just over a year since the collapse of commodities brokerage MF Global and the disappearance of some $1.2 billion — much of it invested by the U.S. agriculture sector — in illegally-accessed, and supposedly segregated, customer funds.

This article originally appeared in the November 13, 2012 edition of Crain’s Chicago Business.   By: Lynne Marek Two Chicago futures trading advisers who were instrumental in helping MF Global Inc. customers recover money from the collapsed firm are seeking election to the board of an industry regulator, even though a nominating committee bypassed them. James

This article originally appeared in the November 1, 2012 issue of Futures Magazine. BY DANIEL P. COLLINS The MF Global debacle has many interesting angles and has taken on a variety of conspiracy theories, though none really are necessary. At the end of the day, what we are talking about is theft, as National Futures Association

This article originally appeared on FuturesMagazine.com on October 23, 2012. BY MICHAEL MCFARLIN The Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) announced new rules and regulations related to customer fund protection earlier today. The Commission unanimously approved the new rules yesterday in response to MF Global’s demise one year ago and the revelation of fraud at PFGBest earlier this year. Speaking at the annual Securities