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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Background
In March 2017, FINRA issued a Special Notice on its engagement programs as part of FINRA360, its comprehensive review of its operations. In response to the Special Notice, FINRA received a number of comments and suggestions regarding the usefulness of some advisory committees, their membership and their effectiveness as a vehicle for dialogue between FINRA and member firms. After carefully reviewing and analyzing the comments, FINRA is taking a number of actions to address the comments and suggestions.
In addition to the Small Firm Helpline, FINRA has implemented other programs for small firms:
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.
The FINRA Rule 5190 Report Card is a quarterly compliance report available to member firms. The report card displays all offerings captured by FINRA's surveillance pattern during a quarter and identifies potential exceptions related to the firm's compliance with Rule 5190 notification requirements. The purpose of the report card is to help firms monitor their compliance with SEC Regulation M notification requirements and compare their performance against industry benchmarks.
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:
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.
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?
Q: If a member firm performs securities counts, verifications and comparisons as described in the January 6, 2026, Raymond James No Action Letter (the Letter),* would compliance with all circumstances set forth in the Letter satisfy the requirements of FINRA Rule 4522(b)(1) with respect to capital balance funds, as defined in that Letter?
For detailed information regarding amendments to FINRA Rule 4530, please see Regulatory Notice 13-08.
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:
On March 23, FINRA introduced a new Reg M – Rule 5190 Filings Report Card. This resource is designed to provide firms with comprehensive insights into exceptions identified during submission reviews, showing information such as exceptions by exception type and exceptions by deal type, as well as compliance rates compared to industry benchmarks. By identifying potential areas of concern, and trends over time, this tool serves as both a compliance checkpoint and a resource for supervisory and compliance teams.
FINRA360 has yielded a number of organizational and operational changes aimed at making FINRA a more efficient, more effective regulator.
The Sales Practice Complaint Report is a quarterly report that displays trends in complaints with Sales Practice problem codes as reported to FINRA pursuant to FINRA Rule 4530. Note: prior to July 1, 2011, this report showed complaints reported pursuant to NASD Rule 3070(c) or NYSE Rule 351(d). For the purposes of the report, Sales Practice Complaints are evaluated against the number of representatives registered with the firm and the sales revenue of the firm.
The Financial Crimes Spotlight is a free webinar series hosted by FINRA’s Financial Intelligence Unit that focuses on how to detect and protect against emerging financial crimes and cyber-related threats and trends.
These events are open to FINRA member firms only. Participants must provide their firm's broker-dealer number when registering.
Upcoming Webinars
Additional Webinars Coming Soon.