Guidance
We offer guidance to firms in the form of podcasts, webinars, FAQs, reports, and more. Use the toggle below to find guidance by topic, type or date.
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Interpretive Letter
A member firm may include related performance information in institutional communications concerning continuously offered closed-end funds, subject to the stated conditions discussed in the letter.
June 12, 2017
Board of Governors Meeting
FINRA President and CEO Robert Cook and Chairman of the Board Jack Brennan review rulemaking and other matters discussed at FINRA's May Board of Governors meeting.
May 10, 2017
Guidance
A “family office,” as defined in the Advisers Act, may be considered an “investment adviser” for purposes of meeting the limited exception of FINRA Rule 5131.02.
May 09, 2017
Guidance
On-Demand Recording: Phone-In Workshop and WebEx Presentation;
Original Program Date: April 6, 2017
May 04, 2017
A Few Minutes With FINRA
FINRA Cam Funkhouser, Executive Vice President of FINRA’s Office of Fraud Detection and Market Intelligence (OFDMI), suggests some “red flags” firms should look out for with regard to insider trading, provides an overview of recent cases his office has handled, and explains how to contact FINRA with a tip about insider trading or other fraud. (8 min. 11 sec.)
April 10, 2017
FAQ
- I’m not sure I understand how the DR Portal works. What is the process for initiating a new arbitration case and registering the party representatives to it?
- How do I create an online account so that I can access the Dispute Resolution (DR) Portal?
- I locked my account by mistyping my password several times.
March 31, 2017
Guidance
Comment Period Expired: March 31, 2017
March 31, 2017
Board of Governors Meeting
FINRA President and CEO Robert Cook and Chairman of the Board Jack Brennan review rulemaking and other matters discussed at FINRA's March Board of Governors meeting.
March 08, 2017
Guidance
The fixed income distributions file is a cumulative list of distributions that have been announced per calendar year going back to 1/1/2017. Distributions include cash, stock and in kind distributions as a result of a bankruptcy reorganization plan, default interest payments, or other distributions in fixed income securities.
February 24, 2017
A Few Minutes With FINRA
Bill Wollman and Mike Rufino explain the nine risks that inform FINRA’s risk-based examination and surveillance program, and give examples of what staff looks for when assessing a firm’s risk. (19 min. 52 sec.)
January 18, 2017
Technical Documentation
FINRA has developed a video demonstration of the new web-based interface through which firms will begin submitting short interest reports to FINRA effective January 17, 2017.
January 17, 2017
Targeted Examination Letter
FINRA is conducting an inquiry regarding incentives for broker-dealer ("firm") employees to:
October 26, 2016
Compliance Tools
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These reports and report cards display summaries and statistics related to various risk factors, including sales practice and customer complaints, and more.
October 25, 2016
Compliance Tools
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These reports and report cards display statistics related to firms' compliance with Municipal Securities Rulemaking Board rules and other requirements related to municipal securities and the MSRB's Electronic Municipal Market Access website.
October 25, 2016
Compliance Tools
FINRA has assembled a list of resources that firms may use to manage their cybersecurity risk. These resources include: news and analysis; effective practices and guidance; and free diagnostic tools...
October 25, 2016
Targeted Examination Letter
FINRA is conducting an inquiry with respect to Unit Investment Trust (“UIT”) rollovers. In connection with our inquiry, we request that firm provide the following documents and information for the period from January 1, 2014 through June 30, 2016 (the “Review Period”) to the undersigned by no later than October 10, 2016.
September 13, 2016
FAQ
In March 2016, the SEC approved the adoption of FINRA Rule 2273 (Educational Communication Related to Recruitment Practices and Account Transfers).
August 19, 2016
Guidance
Application for exemptive relief from trade reporting obligation for certain teransactions on an Alternative Trading System
August 09, 2016
Targeted Examination Letter
FINRA is conducting an inquiry with respect to non-traded Business Development Companies (“BDCs”).
August 04, 2016
FAQ
- Q1. Is a firm required to report on the OBS the market value of underwriting commitments entered into on a “best efforts” basis?
- A1. No. Underwriting commitments entered into on a “best efforts” basis are not required to be reported on the OBS.
- Q2.
June 16, 2016
Guidance
Based on the information provided in your application, and conditioned upon Tradeweb Direct providing the items listed below, the staff has determined that Tradeweb Direct meets the specified criteria and hereby grants, pursuant to FINRA Rule 9610, Tradeweb Direct an exemption from the trade reporting obligation under FINRA Rule 6730, subject to the monthly transaction reporting obligation and remission of the transaction reporting fees based on the fee schedule set forth in Rule 7730(b)(1) for each exempted sell transaction occurring on the ATS.
May 16, 2016
Guidance
In connection with the Mutual Fund Waiver Sweep and pursuant to FINRA Rule 8210, FINRA requests that the Firm provide the following documents and information to FINRA staff on or before June 10, 2016 regarding the above referenced Sweep.
May 16, 2016
Guidance
Direct Purchases and Bank Loans as Alternatives to Public Financing in the Municipal Securities Market
April 04, 2016
Interpretive Letter
A member firm that provides services to Non-ERISA Plan participants and beneficiaries may rely on the filing exclusions contained in Rule 2210(c)(7)(B) and (C) in preparing and distributing a “Model Disclosure” as described in the letter, subject to the stated conditions and obligations discussed in the letter.
March 22, 2016
Arbitration and Mediation
DR Portal FAQ for Arbitrators and Mediators
March 17, 2016