National futures association (NFA)

A self-regulatory organization whose members include Futures Commission Merchants, Commodity Pool Operators, Commodity Trading Advisors, Introducing Brokers, commodity exchanges, commercial firms, and banks, that is responsible—under CFTC oversight—for certain aspects of the regulation of FCMs, CPOs, CTAs, IBs, and their Associated Persons, focusing primarily on the qualifications and proficiency, financial condition, retail sales practices, and business conduct of these futures professionals. NFA also performs arbitration and dispute resolution functions for industry participants.