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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Report / Study
FINRA regulates a critical part of the securities industry – brokerage firms doing business with the public in the United States. In an effort to increase public awareness and understanding about the broad range of FINRA-registered firms and individuals, FINRA shares an annual snapshot of some of the data collected in the course of its work.
May 25, 2021
Video
Join FINRA President and CEO Robert Cook and The Honorable Gary Gensler, Chair, U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) for a conversation about industry topics impacting the markets and the financial services industry.
May 20, 2021
Media Center
The pandemic forced the world to re-evaluate how it works—and FINRA’s Arbitration & Mediation Forum was no exception. To keep processes moving, FINRA Dispute Resolution Services allowed hearings to proceed virtually. A year later, we are looking at lessons learned, tips for practicing remotely and plans for the future of arbitration and mediation.
May 18, 2021
Media Center
An employee hackathon event a few years ago resulted in an idea that has since transformed the way FINRA’s Advertising Regulation group does its work. On this episode, we learn about the impressive collaborative effort to build a tool to apply advanced analytics and machine learning to the review of firm communications with the public.
May 04, 2021
Media Center
The brokerage industry has an important role to play when it comes to detecting, preventing and reporting fraud. On this episode, we hear from the head of FINRA's National Cause and Financial Crimes Detection Programs about recent trends and how firms can work to protect themselves and their customers.
April 20, 2021
FAQ
View frequently asked questions and guidance to aid members in their reporting obligations under FINRA Rule 4521(d). Note: This guidance only applies to members that need to report data pursuant to Rule 4521(d).
April 13, 2021
Podcast
Last year, as FINRA staff looked to adjust to a new exam and risk monitoring program structure, the industry and the world was struck with an unprecedented global crisis. On this episode, the second in a two-part series, we hear how the program adapted in the face of the pandemic before looking ahead to priorities for 2021.
April 06, 2021
Podcast
2020 was a year of great change and transition for FINRA’s Exam and Risk Monitoring Program—and the pandemic wasn’t even the start of it. On this episode, the first in a two-part series, we hear how the program fared in its first year after a major transformation.
March 23, 2021
Media Center
Cybersecurity has only increased in importance as huge swaths of the workforce continue to work remotely. On this episode, two FINRA cybersecurity experts share how FINRA handled the transition and areas of focus for 2021. Plus, learn why you should think twice before trying to brush that piece of hair off your phone screen.
March 09, 2021
Media Center
Formal disciplinary action or informal action, settlement or complaint. Or, the one you never hear about: no action. There are a lot of possible outcomes for an Enforcement investigation. On this episode, Jessica Hopper, head of FINRA Enforcement, walks us through the Enforcement process and the many steps in the process.
February 23, 2021
Media Center
This episode originally aired in September 2020. Technology is opening up new possibilities when it comes to solving business challenges. And that's important when it comes to optimizing an organization's most valuable limited resource: its people. On this episode, Member Supervision's new head of Data Analytics and Technology explains how FINRA is augmenting its examination and risk monitoring program.
February 09, 2021
Report / Study
This Report on FINRA’s Risk Monitoring and Examination Activities (the Report) is designed to inform member firms’ compliance programs by providing annual insights from FINRA’s ongoing regulatory operations. For selected regulatory obligations, the Report: (1) identifies the applicable rule and key related considerations for member firm compliance programs, (2) summarizes noteworthy findings from recent examinations and outlines effective practices that FINRA observed during its oversight, and (3) provides additional resources that may be helpful to member firms.
February 01, 2021
Podcast
For the last couple of years, FINRA has been working to revolutionize the digital experience of firms, particularly when it comes to registration and disclosure. Recently, many of these changes have come to life through the new FINRA Gateway and an enhanced Form U4 filing experience. On this episode, we learn more about what’s new and what to expect next.
January 26, 2021
Media Center
FINRA’s Member Relations & Education team is responsible for ensuring FINRA's regulatory programs are working for everyone and for maintaining a strong relationship with FINRA's member firms. But with a new group head looking back on an unprecedented year, the Member Relations & Education team is reimaging the future of member engagement.
January 12, 2021
Guidance
November 2020
FINRA is conducting a review of firms’ systems and procedures for providing customers waivers and rebates available through Rights of Reinstatement1 (RoR) on mutual fund purchases.
As part of this review, FINRA will request that each firm that receives this information request respond to the questions below with respect to the period January 1, 2017 through June 30, 2020 (the relevant period):
November 11, 2020
Podcast
Michael Morris’s research into and advocacy work around the financial security and capability of Americans with disabilities earned him the 2020 Ketchum Prize, the FINRA Foundation’s highest honor. On this episode, we talk to Morris, the founder of the National Disability Institute, about his research and advocacy work and the intersection of race and disability.
October 13, 2020
Guidance
Participating members, as defined in Rule 5110, must comply with amended Rule 5110, beginning on September 16, 2020 (the Implementation Date).1 The amended Rule will apply notwithstanding when the offering was filed or declared effective or when a participating member received a No Objections Letter.
September 16, 2020
Podcast
Technology is opening up new possibilities when it comes to solving business challenges. And that's important when it comes to optimizing an organization's most valuable limited resource: its people. On this episode, Member Supervision's new head of Data Analytics and Technology explains how FINRA is augmenting its examination and risk monitoring program.
September 15, 2020
Guidance
Filing Guidance - Public Offering Review
September 15, 2020
Virtual Conference Panel
Attend this session to hear helpful tips on complying with FINRA Rule 2210, Communications with the Public when creating, reviewing, approving, distributing or using retail communications concerning private placement offerings. Join panelists as they share helpful tips in identifying red flags in third-party prepared materials, the use of forecasts of issuers operating metrics, and distribution rates. Panelists also explain the process for filing offering documents, including retail communications, with FINRA.
September 08, 2020
Guidance
A member firm may include related performance information in institutional communications concerning Section 3(c)(1) Funds, subject to the stated conditions discussed in the letter.
September 01, 2020
Guidance
On This Page:
- Checklist for Mandatory Materiality Consultations Under Rule 1017(a)(6)
- Checklist for Mandatory Materiality Consultations Under Rule 1017(a)(7)
Checklist for Mandatory Materiality Consultations Under Rule 1017(a)(6)
A member must submit a letter requesting a materiality consultation for specified changes in ownership, control, or business operations, including business expansions, involving a defined “covered pending arbitration claim,” unpaid ar
September 01, 2020
Podcast
FINRA’s ombudsman is a neutral party that acts as an impartial, confidential and independent resource to assist in finding solutions to issues or concerns an individual may have with FINRA. On this episode, we talk to FINRA’s Ombudsman to hear she works to prevent real or perceived conflicts of interest.
August 18, 2020
Arbitration and Mediation
COVID 19 has increased the demand for virtual arbitration and mediation hearings to ensure cases can proceed without lengthy delays. Upon request of the parties or order of the Panel, FINRA Dispute Resolution Services provides videoconferencing through the Zoom platform, accessible via finra.zoom.us.
August 07, 2020
Podcast
This episode originally aired in April 2019. The only thing many people know about money laundering is what they’ve learned from Hollywood. So if you want to really understand what money laundering is, and more specifically, the efforts brokerage firms must take to prevent and detect it, tune in. On this episode we talk to two of FINRA’s Anti-Money Laundering experts.
August 04, 2020