Podcasts: FINRA Unscripted

Last week, FINRA CEO Robert Cook spoke at a conference hosted by the FINRA Foundation to underscore the importance of working together to disrupt the cycle of fraud. He highlighted specific areas for further coordination and announced that FINRA will reach out operators of existing regulatory databases to explore ways to create a one-stop shop resource for investor research. On this episode, we tune in to his remarks.

FINRA’s Examinations team has undertaken changes to create efficiencies before, during and after the exam process to continuously improve the program. On this episode, three senior leaders of the team join us to detail some of the recent changes, including the introduction of thematic reviews, changes to the post-exam closeout process and more.

FINRA's Membership Application Program serves as the entry point to FINRA membership for firms that meet 14 different standards for admission. On this episode, we hear how the group ensures members and would-be members adhere to these standards to safeguard the integrity of the market and ensure Americans can invest with confidence.

Last summer, we introduced listeners to FINRA’s Crypto Hub, an enterprise-wide strategy for keeping up with the evolving crypto asset regulatory landscape. On this episode, we have three members of the hub join us to provide an update on that work to dig into the results of a recent survey of member firms regarding their crypto asset touch points to tell us about the new spot Bitcoin ETP market and more.

FINRA's Financial Intelligence Unit acts as a nerve center for information on emerging threats impacting the financial industry with the aim of providing actionable intelligence to firms, other regulators and law-enforcement to keep investors safe. On this episode, we learn how the group has grown in recent years and hear how they are evolving the way they share information.

Financial social media influencers or finfluencers are growing in popularity as a cheap way to reach a new generation of investors. But using this newer form of advertising comes with risks. On this episode, we learn more about the regulatory requirements around the use of social media influencers and hear some best practices for firms looking to make use of “finfluencer” programs.

In late May, certain amendments to FINRA's margin rule, Rule 4210, went into effect to address a significant source of potential systemic risk and risk to FINRA member firms. The amendments introduced specific margin requirements related to covered agency transactions. On this episode, we learn more about the purpose of the change and what firms need to think about to ensure compliance.

Protecting investors from harm is a top FINRA priority. And when it comes to specific individuals who may pose a risk, FINRA's High Risk Representative Program is on the case, identifying and monitoring individuals who pose an elevated risk of misconduct to protect investors and maintain the integrity of the market.

Every day, FINRA's Insider Trading Detection Program uses sophisticated technology and analytics to monitor 100% of trading in stocks, options and bonds for potentially suspicious activity around material news events, resulting in hundreds of referrals to the SEC and law enforcement every year. On this episode, we hear how the team connects trading data, information from public sources and from companies and FINRA firms to pull together actionable intelligence.

On this episode, we hear from members of both the Vulnerable Adults and Seniors (VAST) Intake and Investigations teams to hear how the groups work with individual investors, firms, states and other regulators to prevent and detect financial exploitation of senior and other vulnerable investors.