The Fed has released for the first time results of the department’s monthly survey of primary dealers. The numbers are one month old, and demonstrate that 60% think that the first bump in the Fed Funds rate will not occur before 2014. Three percent predict a rise in rates as early as H2 2012.

Investing Insights: Can the Financial Sector Keep the New Year’s Momentum Going?

The SEC has filed suit against Life Partners Holdings (NASDAQ:LPHI) and three executives regarding alleged fraudulent accounting and insider trading which included the spread of misleading information to investors and auditors. Life Partners Holdings denies the charges, saying they lack merit.

The Wall Street Journal writes that executives and employees at Jefferies’ (NYSE:JEF) prime brokerage are threatening to walk over points of contention including recent restructuring and year-end compensation. Tuesday, Glen Dailey was appointed head of the unit. Also, prime brokerage executives are reported to have been given a more satisfactory compensation structure, and assurances of potential gains for employees.

MasterCard (NYSE:MA) and Visa (NYSE:V) have been downgraded by Janney to Neutral, as the firm anticipates customers continuing their drive to reduce debt in 2012 thereby causing a “sluggish” market for credit card companies.

Don’t Miss: Payday Lender Stocks Drop Kicked on Obama Move.

To contact the reporter on this story: Brooke Edge at staff.writers@wallstcheatsheet.com

To contact the editor responsible for this story: Damien Hoffman at editors@wallstcheatsheet.com

Get Your FREE Special Report: 4 Things You Must Know About the US Economy Now!