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The Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection shared its observations on how various financial services adjusted during the COVID-19 pandemic, as highlighted in this special edition of Supervisory Highlights. The report documents the Bureau's assessments in areas like mortgage, student loans, auto loans, credit cards, and more, noting challenges faced by these sectors and their responses to rapidly changing consumer needs. Many financial institutions struggled with increased consumer requests for assistance, inaccurate information dissemination, and operational adjustments, highlighting risks that could potentially harm consumers. The Bureau aimed to help these institutions recognize and address these risks to better protect consumers.

The NYSE Arca has extended the expiration date of temporary rules that allow disciplinary hearings to be conducted via video conference instead of in-person, due to COVID-19 health risks. Initially set to expire on December 31, 2020, the temporary amendments to Rules 10.9261 and 10.9830 will now last until April 30, 2021, aligning with similar extensions by the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA). The proposed rule change does not alter the rule texts but ensures that disciplinary actions and hearings can continue safely and without delay during the ongoing pandemic. The Securities and Exchange Commission has waived the usual waiting period so the changes can take effect immediately.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), issued an order requiring everyone to wear masks on all forms of public transportation and at transportation hubs within the United States. This measure aims to reduce the spread of COVID-19, a virus that is easily transmitted through respiratory droplets. The mask requirement applies to all travelers, operators, and anybody present in transportation hubs, with certain exemptions for young children and individuals with specific disabilities. This order is intended to help control the pandemic and support public health response efforts across various governmental levels.

The Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) Board of Directors will hold a public meeting on February 11, 2021, via teleconference due to COVID-19 concerns. The meeting will begin at 8:30 a.m. ET and will be streamed live online. The agenda includes approving the minutes from the November 2020 meeting, reports from various committees on topics like energy rates and CEO compensation, and a report from the President and CEO. Public comments are welcomed but must be submitted in writing.

The South Atlantic Fishery Management Council is correcting a previous announcement about their upcoming meetings. These meetings will be held online from March 1, 2021, to March 5, 2021, due to COVID-19 concerns. Committees such as the Law Enforcement, Mackerel Cobia, Snapper Grouper, and others will meet, with a particular update noting a change in the SEDAR Committee schedule. The SEDAR Committee will discuss stock assessments for mutton snapper and black sea bass, with some details handled in a partially closed session.

The New England Fishery Management Council is holding a three-day public meeting from January 26 to January 28, 2021, conducted entirely online due to COVID-19 restrictions. The meeting will discuss various issues affecting New England fisheries, including the Groundfish Committee's actions, updates on scallop fishing licenses, and small-mesh multispecies specifications. Attendees can register to join the webinar online, and the meeting will include opportunities for public comments on issues not listed in the agenda.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has received requests from the Utah and Minnesota Departments of Agriculture to use a new chemical, called the BIAXAM Polymer, on airport and aircraft surfaces to reduce the spread of COVID-19. This chemical is designed to give long-lasting protection against the virus SARS-CoV-2. Although the product has not been previously registered as a pesticide by the EPA, the agency is now seeking public comments before deciding whether to grant emergency exemptions for its use. The BIAXAM Polymer would be applied to surfaces to potentially offer an extra layer of safety for air travelers.

The New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) filed a temporary rule change with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to accommodate Designated Market Makers (DMMs) due to COVID-19 restrictions. The change allows DMMs limited access to the trading floor or remote access to NYSE systems until either the trading floor fully reopens or April 30, 2021. This adjustment is meant to support efficient trading during significant pricing events like a corporate action or a Direct Listing Auction, ensuring fair and orderly markets despite the temporary closure of the physical trading floor. These measures are intended to maintain transparency and allow issuers to continue listing via Direct Listings while operations are remote.

PJM Interconnection, L.L.C. filed a response with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to address questions from a prior order. If anyone wants to protest or join this filing, they must follow specific rules and file their objections by February 12, 2021. The full text of the document is available online, and FERC prefers electronic submissions due to COVID-19 constraints. Nathaniel J. Davis, Sr., the Deputy Secretary, issued this notice on February 3, 2021.

The U.S. Commission on Civil Rights is holding a teleconference meeting for the Hawai'i Advisory Committee on January 27, 2021, from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Hawaiian Time. The meeting's goal is to review an outline of a report related to COVID-19 and its impact on Pacific Islander communities. Members of the public are invited to join the meeting using the provided call-in details and may submit comments within 30 days afterward. The meeting's records will be available for public viewing online both before and after the event.