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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
FAQ
The following FAQ address general Entitlement questions. For detailed information, refer to the website specific to each user group...

Compliance Tools

The Customer Complaint Report is a quarterly report that displays trends in complaints reported to FINRA's Rule 4530 Application each quarter, pursuant to FINRA Rule 4530. Note: prior to July 1, 2011, complaints were submitted pursuant to NASD Rule 3070 and NYSE Rule 351. When a customer complaint is submitted to FINRA, the submitter must identify the product and problem classification detailed in the complaint. The report allows a firm to see their complaints in two views, by problem identified in the complaint and by product for which the complaint was submitted.


Events & Training

NASAA, the SEC, and FINRA co-hosted a free webinar on identifying and reporting the financial exploitation of senior investors. Firms can use this webinar to help train associated persons about how to identify and report financial exploitation of senior and vulnerable adult investors.


Guidance
This document provides guidelines regarding the use of the Trace Reporting and Compliance Engine and TRACE trademarks. Any use of these trademarks must be in accordance with these guidelines.

About FINRA

Background

FINRA administers qualification examinations that are designed to establish that persons associated with broker-dealers have attained specified levels of competence and knowledge pertinent to their function. Over time, the qualification examination program has increased in complexity to address new products and functions, and related regulatory concerns and requirements.


FAQ

Question 1

Does FINRA Rule 3210 impose any requirement as to what specific information or data an employer member must review or monitor upon receiving duplicate copies of confirmations and statements, or the transactional data contained therein, with respect to an account subject to the rule?

Answer


FAQ
Preliminary Note: FINRA recently adopted enhanced confirmation disclosure requirements for corporate and agency bonds.

Compliance Tools

The TRACE Quality of Markets Report Card for Treasuries is a monthly status report for treasuries transactions that a firm reported to the Trade Reporting and Compliance Engine (TRACE). Firms are required to report trades in accordance with established FINRA rules and regulations. Firms should make no inference that the staff of FINRA has or has not determined that the information contained on the TRACE Quality of Markets Report Card does or does not constitute rule violations.


Compliance Tools

Overview

The following tool identifies key cybersecurity risks currently facing small firms and helps them enhance their customer information protection, and cybersecurity written supervisory programs (WSPs) and related controls, including:


Guidance
The Joint NASD/Industry Task Force urges mutual funds to include these definitions in their prospectuses and other relevant materials as soon as is reasonably practicable.

FAQ
Frequently asked questions about private placements.

About FINRA

Background

FINRA examines broker-dealers on a regular cycle basis, with firms posing greater risk receiving an examination more frequently. In connection with each of these examinations, FINRA prepares a report—which is available only to the relevant firm—addressing certain aspects of the firm's compliance with securities rules and regulations.


FAQ
Frequently asked questions regarding Business Continuity Planning (BCP) and FINRA Rule 4370.

Compliance Tools

The Cross-Market Equities Supervision: Auto Execution Manipulation report is a tool designed to provide firms feedback on exceptions that were generated based on the firm’s order entry and trading activity in a given surveillance period. The report covers auto execution manipulation.  This report is produced on a monthly basis.

Summary Report

The table below provides a reference description for all of the elements found for Auto Execution Manipulation exceptions identified during the month.  


FAQ

1. Where can I access a list describing the exams listed in CRD?

A listing of the exams available in CRD can be found on the Qualification Exams page.

2. How long is an exam window in CRD?

Exam windows are valid for 120 days. Provided that an exam candidate is not subject to a waiting period after a previous failed attempt, the exam window start date will be the day following the submission of the exam enrollment request.