Features - Member Firms Elect New FINRA Board Governors
Following this week’s Annual Meeting of member firms, FINRA announced the election of two new members of its Board of Governors: J. Bradford Eichler as a large firm governor and Erin Baskett as a small firm governor. Eichler serves as Chief Operating Officer of Stephens Inc., having joined the firm more than three decades ago. Prior to becoming COO, he led Stephens’ investment banking division. Baskett is the Chief Executive Officer at Sine Qua Non Capital LLC, which provides compliance and financial operations support to assist small firms. She has launched a number of small firms and has held executive roles in compliance, finance, and trading operations.
- FINRA Forward Initiative to Streamline Delivery of Required Information
FINRA will adopt new system enhancements to enable member firms to electronically deliver required information relating to Form U4, Form U5, and predispute arbitration through our Financial Professional Gateway (FinPro Gateway™). As a result, member firms will have the option of satisfying those requirements through FINRA systems in a more timely and efficient manner, and at no additional cost. These enhancements, which go live on Nov. 3, are part of FINRA Forward, a series of initiatives to support members, markets, and investors. More information is available in Regulatory Notice 25-09, published on Aug. 15.
- FINRA Announces New Crypto and Blockchain Program
In the coming months, FINRA will be launching the Crypto and Blockchain Education Program. These offerings are part of our ongoing commitment to educate the industry, empower firm compliance, and ensure our programs and activities are in line with the opportunities and risks in today's capital markets. The first courses, which are foundational level e-learning, will be available for Financial Learning Experience (FLEX) administrators to preview in September, and member firms will be able to assign these courses to their other employees in October.
- Notice on Continuing Education Requirements
FINRA reminds member firms and registered representatives about our continuing education requirements. An Information Notice published Aug. 14 summarizes the annual requirements and highlights reports, tools, and guidance documents to support members in their CE compliance, including the Financial Learning Experience (FLEX) and CE Council publications.
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Regulatory Information, Upcoming Deadlines, Effective Dates |
New Reminders - CRCP Small Firm Scholarship: FINRA is offering five scholarships to industry professionals from small firms to attend the FINRA Institute at Georgetown Certified Regulatory and Compliance Professional (CRCP)® program. Applications due by Aug. 25.
- FinCEN Money Laundering Alert: FinCEN updated its June 25 orders prohibiting covered financial institutions from transmitting funds from three Mexico-based entities—CIBanco S.A., Intercam Banco S.A., and Vector Casa de Bolsa, S.A. de C.V. Firms now have until Sept. 4 to implement the orders.
- New Portal for Office of Hearing Officers Matters: FINRA filed with the SEC a rule change to facilitate use of a more efficient and secure method for exchanging many documents in Office of Hearing Officers (OHO) proceedings. The rule requires parties to OHO proceedings to use an electronic portal in lieu of email as the primary method when filing and serving documents. It will take effect on Oct. 7.
- Timeline for Registration Renewals: The timeline for member firms to renew their registrations is now available. Preliminary statements will be posted to E-Bill on Nov. 10, and renewal reports can be accessed through CRD/IARD for reconciliation purposes. See the Firm Renewal Report Guide for details.
- New Guidance for Discretionary Transactions in DPP Offerings: FINRA clarified that prior written approval for a discretionary account transaction in a Direct Participation Program does not apply to situations where the order is placed by a registered investment adviser. The new guidance, available on the Rule 2310 FAQs section of FINRA.org, responds to feedback we received on our FINRA Forward initiative to reduce unnecessary burdens affecting the capital raising process.
- The Modern Workplace: Regulatory Notice 25-07 requested comment on further evolving FINRA’s rules, guidance, and processes to reflect modern business practices and markets; support innovation; promote efficiency; and eliminate unnecessary regulatory burdens. The comment period has closed, but we still welcome feedback.
- Rule Modernization: Regulatory Notice 25-04 requested comment in connection with a broad review of FINRA’s regulatory requirements applicable to member firms and associated persons. The comment period has closed, but we still welcome feedback.
- Capital Formation: Regulatory Notice 25-06 requested comment on modernizing FINRA rules, guidance, and processes to further facilitate capital formation and reduce unnecessary regulatory costs and burdens impacting the capital raising process. The comment period has closed, but we still welcome feedback.
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Disciplinary Actions |
FINRA publishes disciplinary actions to remind members of specific conduct that violates FINRA rules and may result in disciplinary action. The August 2025 Monthly Disciplinary Actions are available here. |
Education and Compliance Programs |
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Resources |
Member Firm Hub – Latest guidance, resources, educational opportunities and more. Comment Process – On-demand webinar on how to provide comments on FINRA Forward proposals, as well as the impact of comment letters and how they are used. Involvement and Election Process – How to engage with FINRA to help carry out our mission of protecting investors and safeguarding market integrity. Members can contribute their unique perspectives and skillsets with rotating terms on FINRA committees and other opportunities. Submit an indication of interest to be considered to join a FINRA advisory committee or speak at a FINRA event by clicking here. Membership Application Program (MAP) Tools – Guidance and other resources to help current members prepare for their continuing membership application (CMA) and new applicants prepare for a new member application (NMA). FINRA Unscripted – Monthly podcast on a range of topics important to FINRA members and other stakeholders. |
Follow FINRA |
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About FINRAFINRA is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to investor protection and market integrity. FINRA regulates one critical part of the securities industry—member brokerage firms doing business with the public in the U.S. FINRA, overseen by the SEC, writes rules, examines for and enforces compliance with FINRA rules and federal securities laws, registers broker-dealer personnel and offers them education and training, and informs the investing public. In addition, FINRA provides surveillance and other regulatory services for equities and options markets, as well as trade reporting and other industry utilities. FINRA also administers a dispute resolution forum for investors and brokerage firms and their registered employees. For more information, visit www.finra.org. |
Regulatory Contacts
FINRA By-Laws require member firms to maintain an email account on behalf of their executive representatives, to facilitate firm notification of important information. In light of this, requests from executive representatives to be removed from this email list cannot be honored. Firms wishing to change the name or email address of their executive representative or designated assistant should use the FINRA Contact System: http://www.finra.org/FCS. SubscribersYou received this message because you are currently subscribed to the email subscription list on the FINRA website. To update, use our "update information" or "unsubscribe" forms located at http://www.finra.org/Industry/Subscriptions |
