For the Public
FINRA Data provides non-commercial use of data, specifically the ability to save data views and create and manage a Bond Watchlist.
For Industry Professionals
Registered representatives can fulfill Continuing Education requirements, view their industry CRD record and perform other compliance tasks.
For Member Firms
Firm compliance professionals can access filings and requests, run reports and submit support tickets.
While I support education about so-called 'complex' investment products, imposing restrictions on purchasing such products is not the right approach. For many years, financial products have been plagued with excessive 'legalese' -- which is the biggest barrier to investors understanding the products in which they are investing. Even the SEC is guilty of obnoxiously wordy explanations in their investor education guides. One such example is that funds are required to publish performance data for periods of 1, 5, or 10 years (or the life of the fund, if shorter).
FINRA has adopted changes to its rules to permit, and in some instances require, electronic service and filing of documents in disciplinary and other proceedings and appeals.1 FINRA has also amended its rules to require parties in proceedings before the Office of Hearing Officers (OHO) to file and serve the parties with their current email address and contact information at the time of their first appearance, and to file and serve any change in email address or contact information during the course of the proceeding.
