Final Statements for Broker-Dealers, Investment Adviser Firms, Agents and Investment Adviser Representatives, and Branches

BD and IA Renewals for 2018

Executive Summary

FINRA is issuing this Notice to help firms review, reconcile and respond to their Final Statements in E-Bill as well as view the reports that are currently available in Web CRD/IARD for the annual registration renewal process. The payment deadline is January 22, 2018.

Please direct questions concerning this Notice to the FINRA Call Center at (301) 869-6699.

Background & Discussion

Final Statements

On January 2, 2018, Final Statements became available for viewing and printing in E-Bill. These statements reflect the final status of broker-dealer, registered representative, investment adviser firm, investment adviser representative, and branch registrations and/or notice filings as of December 31, 2017. Any adjustments in fees owed because of registration terminations, approvals, IA firm registrations, reporting status or notice filings subsequent to the Preliminary Statement are included in this final reconciled statement. Renewal reports are available in Web CRD/IARD for request, print and/or download.

If the amount assessed on the Final Statement is greater than the amount assessed on the Preliminary Statement, the additional renewal fees are due by January 22, 2018. If the amount assessed on the Final Statement is less than the amount assessed on the Preliminary Statement, FINRA has issued a credit to the firm's Flex-Funding Account.

The Final Statements include the following fees (if applicable):

Renewal Payment

Web CRD/IARD issues a refund if a firm owes less for registrations at year-end than what was reflected on the Preliminary Statement. FINRA transferred overpayments to firms' Flex-Funding Accounts on January 2, 2018. Firms that have a credit balance in their FlexFunding Accounts may submit a refund request [http://www.finra.org/industry/e-bill-user-guide#Refunds] through E-Bill or leave the funds in their account to pay for other future fees.

If the Final Statement reflects an amount due, FINRA must receive payment no later than January 22, 2018. Firms may pay electronically through E-Bill, send a wire transfer or mail a check; however, FINRA highly recommends that firms remit funds via E-Bill. Firms are encouraged to check their Renewal Statements to confirm FINRA has received payment and that the firm's Renewal Statement balance is paid in full.

Electronic Payment via E-Bill

Firms may submit electronic payments to fund their Renewal Accounts through E-Bill [http://www.finra.org/industry/finra-e-bill]. FINRA does not charge for using E-Bill; however, firms should verify if their banks charge additional fees. Firms must enroll to use E-Bill.

Please Note: Firm users with the proper entitlement may transfer funds from their Flex-Funding Account to their Renewal Account or transfer funds between affiliated firms at any time by using E-Bill. For further details, please refer to the E-Bill User Guide [http://www.finra.org/industry/e-bill-user-guide].

ACH/Wire Transfer and Check Payments

Wire transfer and check payments are initially deposited into a firm's Flex-Funding Account. Beginning January 22, 2018, if sufficient funds are available, FINRA will systematically transfer funds from Flex-Funding Accounts to Renewal Accounts. Firms do not have to wait for FINRA to systematically transfer funds on January 22 as firms have the ability to transfer funds to their Renewal Accounts using E-Bill. Funds will only be systematically transferred if the entire renewal amount owed is available in the firm's Flex-Funding Account.

ACH/Wire Transfer

To initiate a wire or ACH transfer, instruct your firm's bank to contact Bank of America and provide your bank with the following information:

Inform your bank to credit funds to the FINRA bank account and to only use your firm's CRD number as a reference. Record the confirmation number of the wire transfer provided by your bank.

If you send your wire transfer by 2 p.m., ET, your firm may confirm receipt the next business day by reviewing your Flex-Funding Account online or calling the FINRA Gateway Call Center at (301) 869-6699. Wire payments received after 2 p.m., ET, should be available in two business days. Please note that while wire transfers are received by FINRA on the same day they are initiated, ACH bank transfers typically take several days longer to be received by FINRA.

Checks

Checks should be made payable to FINRA and your firm's CRD number should be written on the check memo line. Processing of check payments may take up to two business days. Please account for mail delivery and payment processing time when sending payment. Write the address on an envelope exactly as noted in this Notice:

Renewal Reports

Renewal reports include all individual registrations renewed for 2018; however, they do not include registrations that were "pending approval" or "deficient" at year-end. Firms should examine their reports carefully to ensure that all registration approvals are correct. FINRA also suggests that firms include these reports in firms' permanent records.

Discrepancies

If your firm believes there are discrepancies on your Final Statement, report them in writing directly to FINRA by January 22, 2018. Along with your letter describing the discrepancy, please include a copy of your Final Statement and any supporting documentation to:

FINRA
Registration & Disclosure—Regulatory Services & Operations
9509 Key West Avenue
Rockville, MD 20850

If you have questions regarding renewal discrepancies, please call FINRA at (240) 386-4182.