Guidance for Applications for Mergers and Acquisitions

Overview

The following Guidance is to assist applicants as they prepare and submit information and documentation to FINRA for new Mergers and Acquisition (M&A) business. This Guidance is designed to help applicants provide basic information FINRA staff may ask them to submit in order to begin a meaningful review.

FINRA Compliance Tool Disclaimer

This optional tool is provided to assist member firms in fulfilling their regulatory obligations. This tool is provided as a starting point, and you must tailor this tool to reflect the size and needs of your applicant. Using this tool does not guarantee compliance with or create any safe harbor with respect to FINRA rules, the federal securities laws or state laws, or other applicable federal or state regulatory requirements. This tool does not create any new legal or regulatory obligations for applicants or other entities.

Updates

This tool was last reviewed and updated, as needed, on March 22, 2024. This tool does not reflect any regulatory changes since that date. FINRA periodically reviews and updates these tools. FINRA reminds member firms to stay apprised of new or amended laws, rules and regulations, and update their WSPs and compliance programs on an ongoing basis.

Additional Guidance

Member firms seeking additional guidance on certain regulatory obligations should review the Broker-Dealer Registration Topic Page and other relevant FINRA Topic Pages.

Staff Contacts

FINRA’s Office of General Counsel (OGC) staff provides broker-dealers, attorneys, registered representatives, investors and other interested parties with interpretative guidance relating to FINRA’s rules. Please see Interpreting the Rules for more information.

OGC Staff Contacts:

Kosha Dalal and Sarah Kwak
1700 K Street, NW
Washington, DC 20006
(202) 728-8000

MAP staff contacts:

Jante Turner
(202) 728-8317

MAP Intake
MAP Group
(212) 858-4000 (Option 5 – Membership Applications)