Proposed Rule Change Relating to Margin Requirements for Certain Transactions in Credit Default Swaps

Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc. (“FINRA”) (f/k/a National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. (“NASD”)) is filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC” or “Commission”) a proposed rule change to adopt FINRA Rule 4240 (Margin Requirements for Credit Default Swaps). The proposed rule would implement an interim pilot program with respect to margin requirements for transactions in credit default swaps executed by a member (regardless of the type of account in which the transaction is booked), including those in which the offsetting matching hedging transactions are effected by the member in credit default swap contracts that are cleared through the central counterparty clearing services of the Chicago Mercantile Exchange. The proposed rule would expire on September 25, 2009.