Concept Release on Whether To Eliminate the Bona Fide Hedge Exemption for Certain Swap Dealers and Create a New Limited Risk Management Exemption From Speculative Position Limits

AGENCY:

Commodity Futures Trading Commission.

ACTION:

Extension of comment period.

SUMMARY:

On March 24, 2009, the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (“Commission”) published a concept release on whether to eliminate the bona fide hedge exemption for certain swap dealers and create a new limited risk management exemption from speculative position limits. Comments on the proposal were originally due by May 26, 2009. Now, at the request of interested parties, the Commission is extending the comment period to June 16, 2009.

DATES:

Comments must be received by June 16, 2009.

ADDRESSES:

Written comments should be sent to David Stawick, Secretary, Commodity Futures Trading Commission, Three Lafayette Centre, 1155 21st Street, NW., Washington, DC 20581. Comments may also be sent by facsimile to (202) 418-5521, submitted via e-mail to secretary@cftc.gov. The words, “Concept Release, Swap Dealers” should appear in the subject field of responses submitted via e-mail, and should be clearly indicated in written submissions. Comments may also be submitted by connecting to the Federal eRulemaking Portal at: http://www.regulations.gov and following comment submission instructions.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Donald H. Heitman, Senior Special Counsel, Division of Market Oversight, Commodity Futures Trading Commission, Three Lafayette Centre, 1155 21st Street, NW., Washington, DC 20581, telephone (202) 418-5041, e-mail dheitman@cftc.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

On March 24, 2009, the Commission published and sought public comment regarding a concept release on whether to eliminate the bona fide hedge exemption for certain swap dealers and create a new limited risk management exemption from speculative position limits.

By letters dated May 12, 2009, the Futures Industry Association and the CME Group, Inc., respectively, requested that the original comment period be extended to June 16, 2009. Recognizing the significance of the issues raised in the Concept Release, and to encourage the submission of meaningful comments, the Commission has decided to grant the requests. The comment period for the Commission's Concept Release on Whether to Eliminate the Bona Fide Hedge Exemption for Certain Swap Dealers and Create a New Limited Risk Management Exemption from Speculative Position Limits is hereby extended to June 16, 2009.