Guidance

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.

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.

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.

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).

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

FINRA hosted the virtual AI Conference to bring together regulators and leaders across the financial services industry to discuss the use of artificial intelligence and related opportunities and challenges. On this episode, we hear about the current and future state of AI from three industry leaders.

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):

A broker-deal firm’s anti-money laundering efforts may overlap with any number of other regulatory concerns. On this episode, the second in a two-part series, we’re looking at how AML may overlap with a firm’s efforts to protect senior investors from exploitation and fraud.

Firm regulatory risks and priorities don't exist in a vacuum. And that is perhaps nowhere clearer than when it comes to a firm's anti-money laundering responsibilities. A firm's AML risks can overlap with any number of other priorities. On this episode, the first of a two-part series, we look at the overlapping risks of AML and cybersecurity.

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.

For some investors a high-volume trading strategy could be something that they seek. For others it might be a sign of excessive trading. But when does a lot become too much? What does a firm's responsibility when it comes to supervising for this behavior? On this episode, FINRA Enforcement's Chris Kelly joins us to tell us more.

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.

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.

Filing Guidance - Public Offering Review

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.

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

FINRA's Research and Development Program is using advanced analytics to change the way FINRA performs its essential regulatory functions. It is designed to be quick and agile, hoping to find transformative new technologies, but willing to fail and fail fast when an idea doesn't work out. On this episode, we learn more.

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.

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.