Features - New Blog Details FINRA’s Unified Regulatory Operations
FINRA completed a major consolidation of our member supervision, market oversight, and enforcement functions into a single Regulatory Operations department this summer, FINRA Chief Regulatory Operations Officer Greg Ruppert discusses in a blog today. The new structure organizes FINRA’s oversight work into five core functions—Risk and Intelligence, Examinations, Surveillance, Investigations, and Enforcement—with integrated support services shared across all teams to eliminate duplication and improve coordination. The integration is already delivering measurable results: policy-driven trade blotter requests to members are down 64%, Rule 8210 requests are down 30%, and total external data requests are down 12% in 2025 compared to 2024, with bluesheet requests down 70% since 2022. “By reimagining not only how our functions are organized, but also how our intelligence, expertise, and technology work together, we are laying the foundation for the next generation of regulatory oversight,” Ruppert writes. The consolidation is designed to enable earlier intervention, faster issue resolution, and more consistent engagement with member firms, while freeing up resources to focus on higher-risk activities and investor protection concerns.
- FINRA and NFA Link Investor Research Tools for Easier Access
FINRA and the National Futures Association (NFA) have cross-linked their respective investor research tools—BrokerCheck and BASIC—on each other’s websites, making it easier for investors to research financial professionals across both the securities and derivatives industries. The change is detailed in a Sept. 22 Investor Insights article. Members are welcome to share the article and all Investor Insights with customers.
- Register Now for FINRA’s Advertising Regulation Conference
Our 2026 Advertising Regulation Conference is scheduled for Oct. 15-16 in Washington, DC, offering communications compliance and marketing professionals two days of expert-led sessions on new rules, regulatory priorities, and emerging technologies. Attendees can participate in advertising review workshops, technology demos, and one-on-one meetings with FINRA Advertising Regulation Department staff. Virtual attendance options are also available.
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Regulatory Reminders |
- Best Execution: FINRA published Regulatory Notice 26-15 on July 24 to request comment on how we can modernize our best execution guidance to facilitate investor protection and market integrity under the existing principles-based standard. Comments are due by Sept. 25.
- Alternative Investments: FINRA filed a proposed rule change with the SEC to amend Rule 4522 (Periodic Security Counts, Verifications and Comparisons) to simplify position statement and reconciliation requirements for certain alternative investments. Comments are due to the SEC by Sept. 30.
- Enhanced Tools to Protect Investors: FINRA filed proposed rule changes with the SEC to empower firms to intervene quickly to address suspected fraud and financial exploitation while maintaining appropriate safeguards and respecting customer autonomy. Comments are due to the SEC by Sept. 30.
- TRF Operating Hours: FINRA’s Trade Reporting Facilities (TRFs) will extend their operating hours. Starting Dec. 6, they will operate from 9 p.m. ET on Sundays through 8 p.m. ET on Fridays, with a one-hour technical pause 8-9 p.m. ET, Mondays through Thursdays, excluding holidays.
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- FINRA has ordered American Portfolios Financial Services, Inc. to pay $1,232,939 in restitution, plus interest, to customers and has fined the member firm $400,000 for failing to reasonably supervise recommendations that customers sell unit investment trusts (UITs) before their maturity dates, which resulted in customers paying unnecessary costs and fees.
- FINRA publishes disciplinary actions to remind members of specific conduct that violates FINRA rules and may result in disciplinary action. The September 2026 Monthly Disciplinary Actions are available here.
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Education and Compliance Programs |
FBI Cyber & Financial Crime Threat Briefing Series: Northeast Region | Sept. 24 | Virtual Event Advertising Regulation Conference | Oct. 15-16 | Hybrid Event | Washington, DC Small Firm Conference | Oct. 27-28 | In-Person Event | Chicago, IL FINRA Virtual Registration Systems Foundation | Nov. 4-5 | Virtual Event FINRA Certified Regulatory and Compliance Professional (CRCP)® Program Week II | Nov. 15-20 | In-Person Event | Washington, DC Annual Conference | May 11-13, 2027 | Hybrid Event | Washington, DC Crypto Applied Learning Program | June 8-10, 2027 | In-Person Event | Washington, DC Crypto and Blockchain Education Program Foundational E-Learning Courses | Self-Paced |
Resources |
Member Firm Hub – The latest guidance, resources, educational opportunities and more. FINRA Forward – An overview of our work in action for becoming more effective and efficient at pursuing our mission is available on FINRA.org. The webpages include information and videos about our efforts to modernize our rules, empower member firm compliance, and combat cyber and fraud threats. Quarterly Regulatory Policy Agenda – An overview of our current priorities for significant regulatory policy initiatives. 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 – A monthly podcast that discusses a range of topics important to the securities industry. Investor Insights – Feature articles on timely topics for investors, which firms are welcome to share with customers. |
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 |
