Upcoming FINRA Board Meeting

March 2, 2026

The FINRA Board of Governors is holding its first meeting of the year this week. 

Rule Modernization

The Regulatory Policy Committee will consider the following items during the meeting:

  • a proposal to shorten the waiting periods for retaking FINRA qualification examinations;
    • a proposal for FINRA to deliver electronically requests for information and testimony to member firms through our compliance platform FINRA Gateway;
    • a proposal relating to approval of allocations of bulk investment adviser orders;
    • a proposal to simplify FINRA’s reconciliation requirements for certain alternative investments in alignment with recent SEC staff relief;
    • a proposal to amend our Codes of Arbitration Procedure to provide parties with greater input into replacing arbitrators; and
    • an update on FINRA’s rule modernization initiative as part of FINRA Forward, a series of initiatives to further improve our effectiveness and efficiency.

Member engagement is critical for ensuring our rules reflect the diversity of firms’ business models as well as the complexity of today’s securities markets. With that in mind, I encourage you to consider contributing your unique perspective and skillset to one of the many opportunities that will be detailed in our forthcoming Engagement Notice, including FINRA’s advisory committees, regional committees, ad hoc committees, National Adjudicatory Council, working groups, and our Board. You may submit an indication of interest through our engagement portal. 

Financial Planning

Informed by FINRA’s Financial Guiding Principles, the Board approves all major financial decisions for the organization, including our annual budget, increases to regulatory fees, rebates to members, and use of fines to promote compliance and improve markets. The Board’s Finance, Operations and Technology Committee will continue discussions around our long-term financial planning at the March meeting and review the proposed allocation and use of FINRA’s 2025 fine monies. Consistent with FINRA’s commitment to transparency and engagement with our members regarding our finances, we will provide more information in our forthcoming annual financial report, budget summary, and fines report to be published on FINRA.org. 

You may find more information about the Board’s operations, including the membership and responsibilities of its committees, on FINRA’s governance page. 

I look forward to sharing an update about our discussions shortly after the meeting.

Sincerely,

Robert W. Cook
FINRA CEO