Guidance

We offer guidance to firms in the form of podcasts, webinars, FAQs, reports, and more. Use the toggle below to find guidance by topic, type or date. 

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Guidance
The Report of the Independent Review of FINRA's Dispute Resolution Services – Arbitrator Selection Process
In February 2022, the Audit Committee of the FINRA Board of Governors engaged Lowenstein Sandler LLP to conduct an independent review in connection with a Fulton County, Georgia Superior Court decision vacating an arbitration award in favor of respondent Wells Fargo Clearing Services, LLC. This report by Lowenstein describes the findings from its independent review.
June 29, 2022
Media Center
Regulation Best Interest and Form CRS: Two Years In
We are marking the second anniversary of the implementation of Regulation Best Interest and Form CRS with a deep dive into everything FINRA has learned on the topic over the last two years. On this episode, we hear how FINRA is examining around the new regulations and explore some of the common problem areas and effective practices.
June 28, 2022
Arbitration and Mediation
The Neutral Corner - Volume 2—2022
The Neutral Corner - Volume 2—2022
June 27, 2022
About FINRA
Report on Use of 2021 Fine Monies

FINRA is a not-for-profit, self-regulatory organization (SRO) dedicated to promoting investor protection and market integrity in a manner that facilitates vibrant capital markets. One of FINRA’s tools for achieving this objective is fair and effective enforcement of member firms’ compliance with securities laws and regulations.

June 24, 2022
Guidance
Cybersecurity Alert - June 16, 2022

This email is to warn member firms of an ongoing phishing campaign that involves fraudulent emails purporting to be from FINRA and using either the domain name “@firms-finra.org” or “@firms-sipc.org”.  Neither of these domains is connected to FINRA and firms should delete all emails originating from these domain names.

The email states:

Dear Name,

I hope you are doing well.

June 16, 2022
Media Center
Building a Better Future: FINRA’s Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Program
Juneteenth is a day to celebrate, but it's also a day to reflect upon the hardships that African Americans endured and the forces that continue to undermine the freedoms of Black Americans. On this episode, we invite you to join us in this reflection as we explore what FINRA has been doing to build a better future.
June 14, 2022
Guidance
Rule 4111 Compliance Tool Glossary

FINRA Rule 4111(b) requires the Department of Member Supervision (Department) to calculate annually a member firm’s "Preliminary Identification Metrics" to determine whether the firm meets the "Preliminary Criteria for Identification."1 A key driver of that is whether a member firm’s Preliminary Identification Metrics meet quantitative, risk-based "Preliminary Identification Metrics Thresholds."2 The date, each calendar year, as of which the Departmen

June 07, 2022
Guidance
Cybersecurity Alert - FINRA Notifies Member Firms of Microsoft Alert (CVE-2022-30190)

FINRA’s National Cause and Financial Crimes Detection (NCFC) Cyber and Analytics Unit (CAU) has noted a recent alert issued by Microsoft on May 30, 2022.

June 03, 2022
Media Center
AML Update: The Latest Trends and Effective Practices
Money laundering looks different in the securities industry and that poses its own challenges. Add to that a landscape of constantly evolving threats and it is a lot to keep up with. On this episode, we hear about emerging threats and how firms can ensure their AML program remains strong and effective.
May 31, 2022
Media Center
FINRA Annual Conference: Fireside Chat with Eileen Murray
The FINRA Annual Conference is packed full of panels with information on all the latest compliance trends and emerging regulatory issues. On today's episode, we're taking you behind the scenes of the opening plenary session of the 2022 event, a conversation between FINRA President and CEO Robert Cook and the chair of the FINRA Board of Governors, Eileen Murray.
May 17, 2022
Media Center
The Essential Senior Investor Protection Tools: FINRA Rules 2165 and 4512
Every year, millions of seniors become victims of financial exploitation, resulting in billions of dollars in losses. That’s why FINRA worked to update Rule 4512 and implement Rule 2165 to help broker-dealer firms and their representatives protect their senior and other vulnerable adult customers. On this episode, we learn more.
May 03, 2022
Guidance
Cybersecurity Alert - FINRA Notifies Member Firms of CISA Alert (AA22-110A)
The Cyber and Analytics Unit (CAU) within FINRA’s National Cause and Financial Crimes Detection (NCFC) program would like to highlight an alert issued by the Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) on April 20, 2022.
May 02, 2022
Guidance
Cybersecurity Alert - April 27, 2022
On April 25, FINRA issued an alert to member firms which highlighted a phishing attack using the domain name “@claims-finra.org”. This alert is to warn you about a new, potentially related, phishing attack also purporting to be from FINRA.
April 27, 2022
Guidance
Cybersecurity Alert - April 25, 2022
This email is to warn member firms of an ongoing phishing campaign that involves fraudulent emails purporting to be from FINRA and using the domain name “@claims-finra.org.” The domain of “claims-finra.org” is not connected to FINRA and firms should delete all emails originating from this domain name.
April 25, 2022
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions: Supplemental Liquidity Schedule

See link to FINRA Regulatory Notices 21-31, which includes the schedule and instructions: https://www.finra.org/sites/default/files/2021-09/Regulatory-Notice-21-31.pdf

SECTION 1. REVERSE REPURCHASE AND REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS

Question 1.1: The instructions under Section 1 state in part that members should report the gross contract value of all reverse repurchase and repurchase agreements by collateral type. The instructions provide that:

April 20, 2022
Media Center
MAP Transformation: Streamlining FINRA's Gatekeeper Function
The Membership Application Program Group, FINRA’s the gatekeeper to the broker-dealer industry, is undergoing a transformation to develop a more streamlined process to help firms and prospective firms work through the New Membership and Continuing Membership Application processes more efficiently. On this episode, we learn what firms can expect.
April 19, 2022
Media Center
Encore | FINRA Foundation Military Spouse Fellowship Program: Assisting Service Members and Their Families
For service members, a missed credit card payment might do more than just ding their credit report, it could also jeopardize a hard-fought promotion. And for their spouses, move after move might be more than just a logistical hardship, it might also be the biggest hurdle in their own career growth. The FINRA Foundation Military Spouse Fellowship Program is just one program that is aiming to address both challenges.
April 05, 2022
Technical Notice
FINRA Statement Regarding Spring4Shell
FINRA is aware of the critical Spring4Shell vulnerability and has taken immediate steps to neutralize the risk.
April 04, 2022
Arbitration and Mediation
The Neutral Corner - Volume 1—2022
The Neutral Corner - Volume 1—2022
March 30, 2022
Media Center
Fraud Stoppers: FINRA’s Market Investigations Team
Detecting and deterring fraud and insider trading is at the core of FINRA's mission of investor protection and market integrity. On this episode, the head of FINRA's Market Investigations team joins us once again to talk about the latest trends and patterns in FINRA's fraud and insider trading investigations, including some stories about some of the craziest and most interesting cases of the past few years.
March 22, 2022
Guidance
Cybersecurity Alert - March 21, 2022

The Cyber and Analytics Unit (CAU) within FINRA’s National Cause and Financial Crimes Detection (NCFC) program is highlighting a statement released today by President Biden regarding possible threats to our nation’s cyber security, urging private sector companies to remain vigilant and harden their cyber defenses "immediately" based on "evolving intelligence that the Russian Government is exploring options for potential cyberattacks." The President

March 21, 2022
Podcast
Report on FINRA’s Examination and Risk Monitoring Program | A Comprehensive Reference Item for Firms
The Report on FINRA’s Examination and Risk Monitoring program is an important reference document addressing more than 20 topics of interest for firms and regulators. On this episode, we talk to three members of the Member Supervision team about some key highlights and how firms can use this extensive document.
March 08, 2022
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions Regarding FINRA Rules Relating to Financial Exploitation of Senior Investors
FINRA Rule 2165 (Financial Exploitation of Specified Adults) is the first uniform national standard for placing temporary holds to address suspected financial exploitation. Rule 2165 permits a member to place a temporary hold on a securities transaction or disbursement of funds or securities from the account of a Specified Adult customer when the firm reasonably believes that financial exploitation of that adult has occurred, is occurring, has been attempted or will be attempted. FINRA Rule 4512 (Customer Account Information) requires members to make reasonable efforts to obtain the name of and contact information for a trusted contact person for a customer’s account.
March 01, 2022
Guidance
Sanctions Alert: Russia-Related Sanctions

The Special Investigations Unit (SIU) within FINRA’s National Cause and Financial Crimes Detection (NCFC) program is bringing to your attention some additional Russia-related sanctions developments. Please note that these are in addition to those detailed in FINRA Regulatory Notice 22-06. 

February 28, 2022
Media Center
Celebrating 100: FINRA Unscripted's Greatest Hits
We are celebrating 100 episodes of FINRA Unscripted. We’ve covered a lot of ground over the past 4 years and 100 episodes and today we are taking a trip back in time to revisit some of our greatest hits.
February 22, 2022