Suitability obligations are critical to ensuring investor protection and promoting fair dealings with customers and ethical sales practices. FINRA Rule 2111 governs general suitability obligations, while certain securities are covered under other rules that may contain additional requirements.
FINRA Rule 2111 requires that a firm or associated person have a reasonable basis to believe a recommended transaction or investment strategy involving a security or securities is suitable for the customer. This is based on the information obtained through reasonable diligence of the firm or associated person to ascertain the customer’s investment profile.
The rule states that the customer’s investment profile “includes, but is not limited to, the customer’s age, other investments, financial situation and needs, tax status, investment objectives, investment experience, investment time horizon, liquidity needs [and] risk tolerance,” among other information. A broker’s “recommendation,” which is based on the facts and circumstances of a particular case, is the triggering event for application of the rule.
Brokers must have a firm understanding of both the product and the customer, according to Rule 2111. The lack of such an understanding itself violates the suitability rule.
The Series 79 exam — the Investment Banking Representative Exam — assesses the competency of an entry-level registered representative to perform their job as an investment banking representative.
The Member Firms' Nexus to Crypto topic of the 2025 FINRA Annual Regulatory Oversight Report (the Report) informs member firms’ compliance programs by providing annual insights from FINRA’s ongoing regulatory operations, including (1) regulatory obligations, (2) findings and effective practices, and (3) additional resources.
The 2024 FINRA Annual Regulatory Oversight Report provides member firms with insight into findings from FINRA’s Member Supervision, Market Regulation and Enforcement programs.
Direct Purchases and Bank Loans as Alternatives to Public Financing in the Municipal Securities Market
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Corporate Finance
Legal & Compliance
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Training
Executive Summary
On September 29, 1995, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) approved amendments to the Corporate Financing Rule, Article III, Section 44 of the NASD Rules of Fair Practice relating to rights of first refusal. The amendment continues to permit the use of rights of first refusal, but
Comment Period Expires November 30, 1994
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Senior ManagementCorporate FinanceLegal & ComplianceSyndicate
Executive Summary
The NASD is requesting comment on an amendment to its Corporate Financing Rule (the Rule) relating to rights of first refusal granted to underwriters and related persons in connection with the distribution of public offerings. The amendment
By Jason Foye, Chief of FINRA’s Crypto Hub
FINRA’s core mission is to protect investors and promote market integrity. This mission is at the heart of everything we do. An important example of this mission in action is our work to address the unique regulatory challenges presented by the activities of our member firms that relate to crypto assets—also known as digital assets—which are assets
Eileen Famiglietti, Vice President, Enterprise Risk Management (ERM), leads the ERM program, which provides transparency around the enterprise-level risks FINRA faces in the execution of its mission, strategic goals and key business objectives. The program helps inform FINRA's strategic planning, budgeting and resource allocation processes, as well as its decision making. She oversees the
SEC Approval of FINRA Rule 4518 (Notification to FINRA in Connection with the JOBS Act)
