Which organization should a fraud examiner contact for information on individuals in the U.S. futures industry?

The National Futures Association (NFA) is the appropriate organization for a fraud examiner to contact when seeking information on individuals in the U.S. futures industry. The NFA is the self-regulatory organization for the U.S. derivatives markets, which includes the futures industry. Its primary role is to oversee the activities of its members, ensure that they adhere to regulatory standards, and provide a mechanism for industry self-regulation. Thus, it maintains comprehensive information related to registered firms and professionals in the futures sector, making it a valuable resource for investigators looking into potential fraud or misconduct in this particular market.

In contrast, while the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA), the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), and the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) are all significant players in financial regulation, they focus on different aspects of the financial markets. FINRA primarily regulates the securities industry; the SEC oversees securities laws and regulations, including stocks and bonds; and the CFTC is responsible for regulating futures and options markets. However, even though the CFTC covers futures on a broader regulatory level, the NFA provides the specific leads and information that pertain directly to individuals working within the futures industry, making it the more relevant contact for this inquiry.