As a NIBA member, you are already familiar with the process of applying for CFTC registration and NFA membership. But you may not be familiar with the diverse array of responsibilities relegated to NFA’s registration department.
The Registration department reviews applications for CFTC registration and NFA membership, and approves or denies those applications based in part on results of background checks and proof of passing appropriate qualification examinations. In addition to staffing the Information Center, which we highlighted last time and you can find here, the department is responsible for maintaining NFA's Online Registration System, reviewing all disciplinary information and evaluating it against statutory disqualifications under the Commodity Exchange Act, and responding to requests for copies of publicly available CFTC registration records.
In Fiscal Year 2013, NFA's Registration department processed more than 1,500 firm registrations and more than 18,000 individual registrations. As a result of fingerprint card results and other information obtained during the registration process, NFA's Fitness Group opened nearly 2,500 cases in Fiscal Year 2013.
The Registration department also oversees NFA's Restitution Program. When the CFTC settles a civil lawsuit involving commodities fraud, NFA generally is named as the monitor to collect the restitution and return the funds to harmed investors.
Yvette Christman is the Director of Registration and can be reached directly at the following contact info:
Phone: 312.781.1427
Email: ychristman@nfa.futures.org