News Releases & Statements

The FINRA Investor Education Foundation (FINRA Foundation) today awarded Doug Shadel, Ph.D., the 2023 Ketchum Prize—its highest honor—in recognition of his outstanding service and research on protecting consumers, particularly vulnerable Americans.

FINRA’s Maintaining Qualifications Program (MQP) is currently open for eligible individuals during a second enrollment period, until December 31, 2023. The second enrollment period is available to those who terminated their registration between March 15, 2020, and March 14, 2022.

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Municipal Securities Rulemaking Board (MSRB), and Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) today announced that registration is open for a virtual Compliance Outreach Program for municipal market professionals. The free webcast is open to the public and will take place on Thursday, December 7, 2023, from 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. ET.

FINRA’s Board of Governors met on September 13-14 in Philadelphia. In addition to continuing discussions around FINRA’s Regulatory Operations, the Board reaffirmed FINRA’s Financial Guiding Principles.

FINRA announced today the results of its election of two Governors to its Board of Governors. The announcement came after the Annual Meeting of FINRA firms, where Scott A. Curtis, president of Raymond James’s Private Client Group, was elected as a Large-Firm Governor, and Wendy Lanton, Chief Compliance Officer and Founding Principal of Herald & Lantern Investments, Inc., was re-elected as a Small-Firm Governor.

Fellowship Program Grants Military Spouses the Opportunity to Achieve the AFC Credential and Help Address Unique Financial Circumstances in Military Communities WASHINGTON—The FINRA Investor Education Foundation (FINRA Foundation) and the Association for Financial Counseling and Planning Education® (AFCPE®) announced today the recipients of 2023 FINRA Foundation Military Spouse Fellowship.

FINRA announced today that it has appointed Bill St. Louis as Head of Enforcement, effective immediately. St. Louis, an Executive Vice President, was most recently head of FINRA’s National Cause and Financial Crimes Detection Program (NCFC). St. Louis will be responsible for the management of approximately 350 enforcement staff in 11 offices across the United States and will report directly to FINRA President and CEO Robert Cook.

Board Re-Elects Chair, Re-Appoints Public Governors, and Approves Three Rulemaking Items WASHINGTON—FINRA’s Board of Governors met on July 12-13 for the third time in 2023. During the meeting, the Board re-elected Eric Noll as Board Chair, re-appointed three public governors and approved three rulemaking items.

Firm Failed to File Nearly 1,500 Suspicious Activity ReportsWASHINGTON—FINRA announced today that it has fined Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Inc. $6 million for failing to establish and implement policies, procedures, and internal controls reasonably designed to cause the reporting of suspicious transactions as required by the Bank Secrecy Act.

Firm Violated Reg BI, Excessively Traded, and Churned Numerous Customer Accounts, Including Those of Gold Star FamiliesWASHINGTON—FINRA announced today that it has expelled Monmouth Capital Management for churning and excessively trading customer accounts in violation of Regulation Best Interest (Reg BI), failing to supervise its representatives, and providing false and misleading disclosures to retail customers on its client relationship summary (Form CRS).