The Securities and Exchange Commission has voted to propose a rule implementing the so-called "Volcker Rule" requirements. The requirements stem from Section 619 of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act.

The SEC is issuing the proposal jointly with the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, the Federal Reserve Board, and the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency.

"This proposal is intended to curb the proprietary trading of commercial banks and their affiliates in order to protect taxpayers and consumers by prohibiting insured depository institutions from engaging in risky proprietary trading," says SEC Chairman Mary L Schapiro (pictured).

Public comments on the joint proposal should be submitted by 13 January, 2012.