SEC and FINRA to Hold Regional Compliance Outreach Programs for Broker-Dealers

WASHINGTON — The Securities and Exchange Commission and the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) today announced the opening of registration for their 2016 Regional Compliance Outreach Programs for Broker-Dealers that will take place in New York, Atlanta, Dallas, Boston, Chicago, and San Francisco, beginning in the spring.

The SEC's Office of Compliance Inspections and Examinations, in coordination with the SEC's Division of Trading and Markets, is partnering with FINRA to sponsor the programs. Similar to the 2015 National Compliance Outreach Program for Broker-Dealers, each regional program will provide a forum for regulators and industry professionals of broker-dealer firms to discuss current regulatory issues and exchange ideas for effective compliance practices.

"The regional programs illustrate our continued commitment to foster an open dialogue among broker-dealers and regulators," said Kevin Goodman, National Associate Director of the SEC's Broker-Dealer Examination Program. "These outreach programs are an opportunity to discuss current compliance topics of regional and national importance."

Susan Axelrod, FINRA's Executive Vice President of Regulatory Operations, added: "The financial markets are evolving rapidly and the industry must continually assess risk, exposure, and how brokers interact with customers. Each year, these direct dialogues between regulators and compliance leaders yield new insights about how we can best achieve our mutual goal of investor protection in this dynamic environment."

There is no cost to attend the regional programs, which will be held in New York on April 7; Atlanta, April 20; Dallas, June 7; Boston, June 14; Chicago, July 25; and San Francisco, August 18. Registration is open to risk, audit, legal and compliance professionals employed by broker-dealers, with limited seating available on a first-come, first-served basis. CPE credits will be available at each program.

For registration and additional details about the regional programs, please visit the SEC website or the FINRA website.