Arbitrator Update

January 2015 Issue

Table of Contents:

Arbitrator Profile: Cameron Azad

New Arbitrator Training Module

Statistics

Arbitrator Profile: Cameron Azad

Cameron Azad is one of NFA's newest arbitrators. He is a Senior Vice-President in Wealth Management for UBS Financial Services, has been a financial advisor for 31 years and loves his profession. Cameron says that being a wealth manager offers him intellectual challenges and the opportunity to serve others. Since the financial industry has provided Cameron with a rewarding career, he feels it's his responsibility to give back. This is one of the reasons why he didn't hesitate to say yes when asked to serve as an NFA arbitrator.

Cameron recently served on his first NFA arbitration panel. He was pleasantly surprised with the ease of the process. Cameron has some familiarity with trials since his wife is a career trial lawyer. He appreciated how the NFA arbitration process was more streamlined and expedient than a civil court case. Cameron enjoyed working with the other arbitrators, discussing the evidence and arriving at a resolution. Deciding the case, he said, was an intellectual exercise—sort of like solving a puzzle. He thinks that NFA arbitration is the best way to resolve disputes because it offers the parties a fair outcome at a much lower expense compared to court.

Cameron encourages others to join NFA's roster of arbitrators. He thought the experience was fun, yet intellectually and even emotionally challenging, as it involved listening to many days of testimony and reviewing lots of documentary evidence. Cameron said that he appreciated NFA staff's involvement, as well as their availability to work with the panel on any procedural issues or questions.

Cameron has a wall of photographs in his office, which, he says, are a window into his passions outside of work. He enjoys scuba diving and is an avid underwater and nature photographer. He combines these two passions and takes a number of diving trips each year to remote locations to do underwater photography. His 15 years of experience shines through in the beauty of his pictures, which feature vivid, vibrant colors.

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New Arbitrator Training Module

On August 14, 2014, NFA added a new module to the online training program that is designed to help our arbitrators fulfill their mandatory training requirement. This new module focuses on pre-hearing requests and the most commonly filed motions. If you haven't done so yet, you may access the module entitled "Requests for Pre-Hearing Decisions" through the Arbitration/Mediation section of NFA's website.

As you know, the success of NFA's arbitration program depends on the quality of our arbitrators. As a result, we require arbitrators to demonstrate proficiency in arbitration principles and procedures at least once every three years. The new online module and any one of the other modules available in NFA's arbitrator training program will help you meet the training requirement in a convenient and efficient manner. You may also meet the training requirement by attending a seminar offered by American Arbitration Association (AAA) or Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) and providing NFA with proof of your attendance.

If you have any questions about NFA's online training program or your ongoing training requirement, please contact our Arbitration department at (800) 621-3570 or arbitration@nfa.futures.org.

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Statistics

NFA received 29 claims in calendar year 2014. Please visit NFA's website for statistical data on NFA arbitration filings.