FINRA is here to help keep investors and their investments safe. To ensure this protection, we enact rules and publish guidance for securities firms and brokers. We involve a number of interested parties in rulemaking deliberations so that broker-dealers and investors can have confidence they are collaborating on a level playing field. Our relationship to these participants, as well as the SEC, puts us in the unique position to guard the integrity of the market.
FINRA in Action
When feedback from our Securities Helpline for Seniors revealed a pattern of concerns among senior citizens about brokers exploiting their financial accounts, we took action by putting in place the first uniform, national standards to protect senior investors. The SEC approved the adoption of new FINRA Rule 2165 (Financial Exploitation of Specified Adults), allowing members to place temporary holds on disbursements of funds where there is reasonable belief of financial exploitation, as well as amendments to FINRA Rule 4512 (Customer Account Information), requiring members to identify a trusted, third-party contact to verify a customer’s activities as legitimate. This is just one of the many ways we are ensuring protection for all investors.