2025 Get SET State Examiner Training Agenda

Networking Reception

Registration and Continental Breakfast

Using Regulator Workspace to Prepare for an Examination

Don’t be fooled by the new way data is displayed in Regulator Workspace. It’s all there and more! You just need a tour of how the data is organized, which is what you get in this overview session. Also, hear how the Dynamic Reporting functionality provides endless opportunities. Now entitled users will be able to create customized CRD reports.

At the end of this session, participants will be able to:

• Demonstrate how to successfully navigate in RegWS
• Locate firms and individuals using the search features in RegWS
• Find relevant data for a pre-examination review
• Identify the data available from which to create reports

Break

Tools for Conducting Examinations

During the session, attendees learn about various tools for conducting examinations. The presenters discuss pre-exam investigative tools and resources, effective techniques for focusing information and records requests, electronic communication review strategies and large volume data analysis.

At the end of this session, participants will be able to:

• Explain publicly available pre-exam investigative tools
• Discuss effective techniques for exam scoping
• Tailor electronic communications reviews considering the appropriate scoping, sampling and reviewing
• Describe large volume data analytics

Break

Uncovering and Evaluating Firm Use of Artificial Intelligence

During the session, attendees learn how artificial intelligence is being incorporated into the broker-dealer structure and how to initiate the conversation about the use of it. Presenters provide example conversational starters and questions to ask regarding third-party vendors due diligence, risk monitoring and cybersecurity. Current broker-dealer industry trends involving the deployment of artificial intelligence for compliance, advertising and trading are also discussed.

At the end of this session, participants will be able to:

• Define generative artificial intelligence and large language models
• Develop conversation starters around artificial intelligence
• Understand aspects of broker-dealer supervision of generative artificial intelligence and large language models
• Review the inherent risk associated with the use of artificial intelligence
• Discuss emerging artificial intelligence trends

Lunch

Examinations and Regulatory Implications of Alternative Products

There is a myriad of products in the marketplace available to broker-dealers. Registered representatives routinely recommend alternative and complex products as part of a diversified portfolio, and broker-dealers must reasonably supervise such recommendations. The panel reviews effective practices that firms should consider when supervising recommendations of alternative products, performing alternative product due diligence and evaluating and mitigating risks to retail investors. Additionally, the panel discusses alternative product trends, products favored by broker-dealers, and published guidance regarding alternative investments.

At the end of this session, participants will be able to:

• Explain effective practices that firms should consider when supervising recommendations of alternative products
• Describe due diligence practices for alternative products, and how broker-dealers evaluate and mitigate risk for retail investors
• Identify current market trends, and available FINRA guidance for alternative investments

Break

Application of Examination Techniques Practicum Series

This group practical session ties in examiners’ learning throughout the day to include preparing for and conducting a broker-dealer examination involving sales practices of associated persons, alternate products, firm due diligence and supervision. Groups discuss the elements of the case scenario, documents to request and the elements that must be proven for sales practice and other violations. Topics highlighted during the practical session include outside business activities, the difference between cause and routine examinations and effective techniques when assessing the culture of compliance and supervision.

At the end of this session, participants will be able to:

• Identify red flags and records to request to support the examination
• Analyze firm records to test for sales practice issues
• Assess the reasonableness of a broker-dealer’s supervisory system, training of agents, and compliance with Reg BI requirements
• Describe techniques used to identify sales practice violations

Discussions include:

• Discovering and Evaluating Outside Business Activities
• Distinctions Between For Cause and Routine Examinations
• Effective Techniques For Assessing Culture of Compliance and Supervision