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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. 

5 A B C D E F G H I L M N O P Q R S T V
Interpretive Letter
The applicability of Section 40 (Rule 3040) to situations in which a financial plan is delivered to a customer without an execution of a securities transaction.
September 27, 1994
Interpretive Letter

Requirements under NASD Rule 3030 (formerly Article III, Section 43) for investment seminar activities conducted by dually registered persons that charge fees from participants.

September 15, 1994
Interpretive Letter

Clarification of NASD Notice to Members 94-44 to situations in which a dually registered person maintains discretionary trading authority, determines portfolio changes, and prepares trade instructions for customer accounts and charges the accounts an asset-based fee.

August 05, 1994
Regulatory and Compliance Alerts (RCA)
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June 01, 1994
Regulatory and Compliance Alerts (RCA)
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March 01, 1994
Interpretive Letter
Suitability responsibilities of a discount broker/dealer when a customer is trading in options contracts (under former Article III, Section 2, now Rule 2310).
May 18, 1993
Interpretive Letter

Whether a proposed standby purchase agreement entered into between affiliate of a member and an issuer in connection with a public offering of the issuer's common stock could constitute an option.

February 24, 1993
Interpretive Letter
Application of NASD Notice to Members 90-52 to member firms that do not recommend securities transactions to their customers, but limit their business to accepting unsolicited orders from customers (under former Article III, Section 2, now Rule 2310).
November 13, 1990
Interpretive Letter

Cash rebates issued to pension plan customers with respect to secondary market transactions in outstanding securities (under former Article III, Section 24, now Rule 2740 and IM-2740).

December 22, 1988
FAQ

Account Creation

1. I am a new user and need to request an enrollment. How do I log into TESS?

Please visit our “Enroll for a Series Exam” page and select the appropriate link for the exam you are requesting. Note that before you can enroll as a new user for an exam using TESS, you must register to create a profile. Use the following steps to register:


Compliance Tools

The Reg NMS Trade Through Report Card is a monthly statistical report detailing the transactions in NMS Securities that appear to have been reported by your firm to a Trade Reporting Facility ("TRF") or to FINRA's Alternative Display Facility at a price that traded through at least one protected best bid or offer at the respective time of execution. If non-compliance with the Order Protection Rule of Regulation NMS is found to exist, your firm may be found to be in violation of SEC Rule 611 of Regulation NMS.


FAQ
Frequently asked questions related to OATS reporting requirements to OTC NMS Stocks.

FAQ

For detailed information regarding amendments to FINRA Rule 4530, please see Regulatory Notice 13-08.


Compliance Tools

 The MSRB G-32 Report Card is a monthly status report to help firms evaluate the timeliness of their required filings under Municipal Securities Rulemaking Board (MSRB) Rule G-32. Amended Rule G-32, which became effective on June 1, 2009, consolidated the filing requirements of former Rule G-36 and the official statement delivery requirements of Rule G-32.


FAQ

1. My firm filed with the Advertising Regulation Department a retail communication that promotes or recommends a private placement subject to the filing requirements of FINRA Rules 5122 or 5123. Do we now need to file the same communication with the Corporate Financing Department?


FAQ
Prospective FINRA member firms must seek approval for new FINRA membership through the submission of a New Membership Application (NMA or Form NMA) in accordance with FINRA Rule 1013 (New Member Application and Interview). Existing FINRA member firms that are contemplating a material change in ownership, control, or business operations must submit a Continuing Membership Application (CMA or Form CMA) in accordance with FINRA Rule 1017 (Application for Approval of Change in Ownership, Control, or Business Operations). Both types of applications are reviewed by FINRA’s Membership Application Program (MAP) Group.

Compliance Tools
What should your firm do after it discovers that customers’ accounts have been compromised?

Compliance Tools
The CE Regulatory Element Report is published each quarter for any firm that has had at least one representative take a Regulatory Element CE session during the quarter. The report provides information about the firm's performance as well as industry performance during the quarter for comparison.

FAQ
Following are "Frequently Asked Questions" regarding the Order Audit Trail System (OATS).

FAQ
1. How do I submit form filings to Web CRD? Upon completion of a filing...

Compliance Tools

The Underwriter Financial Status Report is a monthly report designed to help firms evaluate the timeliness of financial disclosures made to EMMA, for issuances previously brought to market.   

The purpose of this report is to highlights issuances lacking current audited financial filings (LCF) and the lateness of these missing financial filings, based on their anticipated filing time line.

The report offers two alternate views:


About FINRA

FINRA360 has yielded a number of organizational and operational changes aimed at making FINRA a more efficient, more effective regulator.


FAQ
Following are "Frequently Asked Questions" regarding the Order Audit Trail System (OATS).