NIBA Journal

Thank You - FCMs and Service Providers

Thank You - FCMs and Service Providers On February 25, NIBA held its annual thank-you reception for member FCMs and Service Providers. Thirty-nine guests attended the event held at Pazzo’s Restaurant in Chicago. We appreciate the support our ten member FCMs show NIBA and to the entire IB and CTAs community. FCM members have sponsorship opportunities throughout the year, are featured in our newsletter and rotate as advisors to the Board of Directors. If you would like to become an NIBA FCM Member, please contact Mike Burke, mikeb@highgroundtrading.com or Mike Coglianese, mike@cogcpa.com. Service Provider members provide the unique products and services needed for us to carry on our businesses while staying in compliance and up-to-the minute. Service Providers can join NIBA in three categories and receive various benefits in each. If you would like to become an NIBA Service Provider Member, please contact Ralph Preston, rpreston@hwfi.com. As we celebrate our...

Staying Focused on your Financial Goals

March Chairman’s Letter

Members - Wow - has this been a busy 30 days for the NIBA! Thank you to all the FCMs and Service Provider representatives who attended the Thank You Reception on February 25 in Chicago. Over 40 NIBA members gathered to review our 2015 activities, and preview the events scheduled for 2016. On March 4 & 5, NIBA was invited to exhibit at RJ O’Brien’s Annual IB Conference. RJO’s staff presented a terrific program which included cybersecurity compliance and IB business generating ideas, as well as product sessions. Thanks to RJO for a great time and the opportunity to catch-up with NIBA members and old friends. This month we have progress to report on two NIBA initiatives originated as suggestions from our Advisory Group. We met with representatives of the CME Group to discuss a series of videos which can be used by brokers to more fully understand the usefulness...

NIBA/ DePaul Internship Joint Endeavor

NIBA/ DePaul Internship Joint Endeavor- The NIBA is out to make your life easier! The idea for this internship program was proposed and found strong support among NIBAs Advisory Group. Qualified students will be matched with members looking for candidates trained in a broad array of critical sectors, including Finance, Statistics, Media, Marketing, and Law. The goal of our program is to foster meaningful development-importantly - for both the interns and the member. According to Tom Sandy, NIBA Member Rice Dairy’s experience with DePaul interns has gone very well and the company looks forward to participating in this new joint internship endeavor. NIBA and DePaul will work together to ensure a successful match. Additional information regarding the program, its progress and how to participate will be provided periodically in future Newsletter articles. The board asks all members- yes you- for constructive ideas toward strengthening the value of this program. NIBA...

NIBA Member Testimonials

The NIBA is going to begin soliciting testimonials from current and new members to be included in monthly newsletter and highlighted online and in social media.  The NIBA represents your interests and is always looking for ways to add value to your membership.  The NIBA's board appreciates your comments and looks forward to hearing more about your thoughts and experiences throughout the year.  Current Member Testimonial: "The NIBA has been a wonderful resource for me.  The content of their conferences, along with the connections I make with other attendees make it well worth my time. These resources have paid results in a better understanding of regulations and industry direction."              -Carla Peterson, Chief Administration Officer, Stewart-Peterson

NIBA-DePaul University Joint Program Announcement

The NIBA is proud to have DePaul University as its educational partner. NIBA is always looking for ways to add value to your membership and provide you with the resources, tools and education to further your business interests. The NIBA Board of Directors has recently formed a committee to work with DePaul University on promoting a joint program that focuses on placing qualified interns at firms within the industry. We have spoken to firms who have utilized DePaul interns in the past and have had great success, where both the firm and the intern mutually benefited. One of the biggest non-compliance operational concerns to firms is a need for qualified individuals. This program offers the opportunity for firms to find qualified interns that for the right candidate could turn into a potential broker, analyst, compliance analyst, financial model programmer, etc. Please look out for additional information on this program as...

February Chairman's Letter

“To meet other IB and CTA owners.” “To attend the compliance sessions at the membership meetings -- I can understand what those guys are saying.” “To make sure the CFTC hears my opinion.” “To get first-hand knowledge of what the NFA and exchanges are doing.” When I asked members why they belong to the NIBA, I heard those four reasons most often. That makes me proud and very happy, because those objectives are exactly what the NIBA was founded to meet. During 2016, NIBA will celebrate its 25th Anniversary Year. Please renew or join now during our annual membership campaign. Your membership will “pay-it-forward” for: * Admission to all three membership meetings during the year * Your firm listing in the NIBA Online Directory * Representation with our regulators including CFTC, NFA and the exchanges * The NIBA electronic newsletter delivered to your in-box twice monthly * Access to “NIBA...

What's Included with my Membership?

It’s membership renewal time! And once again this year, there is no increase in membership fees. Introducing Brokers, Commodity Trading Advisors and Commodity Pool Operators can join or renew Association membership for $150. And what do you get for $150 annually? Admission for one member of the firm to all NIBA events A click-thru firm listing in the Online Broker Directory NIBA Newsletter delivered twice monthly directly into your email Your opinions represented in a strong, loud voice to the CFTC, NFA and with exchanges and FCMs Access to “Members Only” benefits through the new website portal (opening within the next few weeks) Education on compliance, marketing, technology and markets presented by industry experts Networking opportunities with your peers NIBA is celebrating its 25th Anniversary this year. We can be proud that many of our current IBs/CTAs have been members since our founding in 1991 . They have helped the...

NIBA Event- New York City -- April 20

The NIBA spring membership event will be held on April 20, 1:30-6:00pm at the New York Athletic Club (NYAC), New York City. Three business sessions and a networking reception are included. Tentative Program: 1:30pm -- Registration Desk Opens 2:00pm -- Welcome 2:15pm -- First Session: Jim Steele, HSBC 2:45pm -- Break 3:00pm -- Second Session 3:30pm -- Break 3:45pm -- Cybersecurity: Understanding the Regulations & Implementation: Panel: NFA; Rob DeMuria, Compliance Superviors; Ted Theisen, UnitedLex 4:45pm -- Program Closes 5:00pm -- Networking Reception at the NYAC Free admission to this meeting is a benefit of your membership. Registration will open online by approximately March 1. CTA Expo is scheduled in New York on the day following the NIBA -- April 21, 2016. Sponsors: CME Group. Additional sponsorships still available. Suggestions, comments or to volunteer to work on this event, please contact the 2016 NYC Meeting Committee: Chairman, Howard Rennell, hrennell@e-windham.com...

NFA Board of Director’s Election

The NFA sent out its notice to members of the newly elected members to the NFA Board of Directors. This year the only contested election was in the CPO/CTA category. The results of those elections are as follows: CPO/CTA Representatives: Douglas L. Bry Senior Strategist Welton Investment Partners LLC Ernest L. Jaffarian CEO/CIO Efficient Capital Management LLC The NFA Board of Directors Introducing Brokers Representatives remained the same. Mike Burke will continue to represent as the IIB member and Paul Georgy will continue to represent as the GIB member. NIBA is excited and looking forward to working with Paul Georgy and Mike Burke as the representatives for GIBs and IIBs on the NFA Board of Directors. They have both shown a deep understanding of the IB community and its needs. Paul and Mike are respected by both the IBs they represent and the regulators, and will continue to be effective...