Podcasts: FINRA Unscripted

In the securities world today, there is little daylight between money laundering and fraud. On this episode, we learn how FINRA’s Special Investigations Unit works to detect and investigate cases of illicit finance and market abuse, as well as how they proactively identify and mitigate threats.

Gen X is often called the Forgotten Generation given how often they’re overlooked in favor of conversation around boomers, millennials or now even Gen Z. But on this episode, Gen X is the one in the spotlight as we dig into the financial health of those born between 1965 and 1980 and, importantly, their perception of their financial well-being.

Why do we engage with scammers? What makes one person more likely to engage than the next? Of those that engage, what makes someone more likely to lose money? On this episode, we dig into the research on these important questions with three academics in the field.

Falling victim to a scam carries more than just a financial impact. It can be an isolating experience and exact a mental and emotional toll. On this episode, we hear about the experience of two real life victims and their efforts to recover from their loss with the help of the Cybercrime Support Network.

Last week, FINRA CEO Robert Cook spoke at a conference hosted by the FINRA Foundation to underscore the importance of working together to disrupt the cycle of fraud. He highlighted specific areas for further coordination and announced that FINRA will reach out operators of existing regulatory databases to explore ways to create a one-stop shop resource for investor research. On this episode, we tune in to his remarks.

FINRA’s Examinations team has undertaken changes to create efficiencies before, during and after the exam process to continuously improve the program. On this episode, three senior leaders of the team join us to detail some of the recent changes, including the introduction of thematic reviews, changes to the post-exam closeout process and more.

FINRA's Membership Application Program serves as the entry point to FINRA membership for firms that meet 14 different standards for admission. On this episode, we hear how the group ensures members and would-be members adhere to these standards to safeguard the integrity of the market and ensure Americans can invest with confidence.

Last summer, we introduced listeners to FINRA’s Crypto Hub, an enterprise-wide strategy for keeping up with the evolving crypto asset regulatory landscape. On this episode, we have three members of the hub join us to provide an update on that work to dig into the results of a recent survey of member firms regarding their crypto asset touch points to tell us about the new spot Bitcoin ETP market and more.

FINRA's Financial Intelligence Unit acts as a nerve center for information on emerging threats impacting the financial industry with the aim of providing actionable intelligence to firms, other regulators and law-enforcement to keep investors safe. On this episode, we learn how the group has grown in recent years and hear how they are evolving the way they share information.

Financial social media influencers or finfluencers are growing in popularity as a cheap way to reach a new generation of investors. But using this newer form of advertising comes with risks. On this episode, we learn more about the regulatory requirements around the use of social media influencers and hear some best practices for firms looking to make use of “finfluencer” programs.