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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. 

5 A B C D E F G H I L M N O P Q R S T V
Guidance
This notification is to warn member firms of an ongoing phishing campaign that involves fraudulent emails purporting to be from FINRA and using the domain name “@rfs-finra.org”.
October 13, 2023
FAQ

Effective October 16, 2023, FINRA revised Rules 12800 and 12805 of the Code of Arbitration Procedure for Customer Disputes (Customer Code) and Rule 13805 of the Code of Arbitration Procedure for Industry Disputes (Industry Code) relating to the expungement of customer dispute information from the Central Registration Depository (CRD®). These frequently asked questions provide guidance regarding these rules.

October 12, 2023
FAQ
The following questions and answers provide guidance regarding the operation of FINRA Rule 2080, which was formerly NASD Rule 2130.
October 12, 2023
Media Center
FINRA oversees a diverse set of broker-dealer firms that make up a vibrant securities industry. Every registered firm at one time or another must engage with FINRA's Membership Application Program, or MAP. In this episode, we learn more about MAP and some of the recent and ongoing enhancements to the program.
October 03, 2023
Guidance
FINRA poses several questions for firms to consider as they evaluate whether their supervisory systems are reasonably designed to address risks of their SPAC-related activities. These questions are based on FINRA’s observations to this point in our review. In addition, the Appendix notes additional guidance FINRA has provided regarding member firms’ relevant obligations.
October 02, 2023
Arbitration and Mediation
The Neutral Corner - Volume 3—2023
September 29, 2023
Guidance
The Cyber and Analytics Unit (CAU) within FINRA’s Member Supervision program is highlighting the new SEC rules on Cybersecurity Risk Management, Strategy, Governance, and Incident Disclosure that were adopted on July 26, 2023. The SEC adopted final rules requiring disclosure of material cybersecurity incidents on Form 8-K and periodic disclosure of a registrant’s cybersecurity risk management, strategy and governance in annual reports.
September 21, 2023
Media Center
In this third and final episode in our series covering FINRA's ongoing crypto asset regulatory work, we hear from FINRA's Blockchain Lab, which serves as a central point within FINRA for the development of blockchain-related regulatory initiatives to learn about how the Lab is supporting and advancing FINRA's regulatory work involving crypto assets.
September 19, 2023
Media Center
In this second episode of a three-part series covering FINRA's crypto asset-related regulatory work, we hear from FINRA's Crypto Asset Investigations Team. This dedicated group of investigators specialize in conducting complex crypto asset investigations and share more about the crucial role it plays in ensuring compliance with existing rules and regulations in the crypto asset space.
September 05, 2023
Guidance
FINRA is highlighting a recent joint Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) and Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Cybersecurity Advisory published on August 30, 2023, which may be updated as new intelligence is uncovered.
August 31, 2023
Guidance
FINRA is highlighting a recent Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Flash published on August 23, 2023. According to the FBI Flash, all exploited Barracuda Email Security Gateway (ESG) appliances, even those with up-to-date security patches, remain at risk for continued computer network compromise from threat actors exploiting a zero-day vulnerability documented in CVE-2023-2868. 
August 28, 2023
Guidance

Summary

FINRA has adopted amendments to its Codes of Arbitration Procedure (Codes) to modify the process relating to requests to expunge customer dispute information in the FINRA Dispute Resolution Services (DRS) arbitration forum.

August 11, 2023
Media Center
In 2022, FINRA developed an enterprise-wide strategy to ensure it is prepared for an evolving crypto asset regulatory landscape and created the Crypto Hub, the Blockchain Lab and the Crypto Asset Investigations Team. On this episode, the first in a three-part series, we learn more about the strategy and the role of the Hub.
August 08, 2023
Media Center
An efficient capital raising process fosters business expansion, job creation and economic growth. Currently, FINRA’s soliciting comments on the impact FINRA's Rules have on the capital formation process, as it looks for ways to increase efficiency and reduce unnecessary burdens. On this episode, we'll dig more into this process and FINRA's recent Request for Comment.
July 25, 2023
Board of Governors Meeting
During its July 12 and 13 meeting, the FINRA Board of Governors Re-elected Eric Noll as chair, re-appointed public governors Deborah Bailey, Lisa Fairfax and Maureen Jensen, and approved three rulemaking items.
July 19, 2023
Media Center
Gen Z is beginning to invest younger than any generation before them. On this episode, we take a deep dive into a new study by the FINRA Foundation and CFA Institute looking at the attitudes and behaviors of Gen Z investors, including the role of crypto as an onramp, the use of social media and more.
July 11, 2023
Arbitration and Mediation
The Neutral Corner - Volume 2—2023
July 06, 2023
Guidance
FINRA Rule 4230(a) requires clearing firms for which FINRA is the designated examining authority pursuant to SEA Rule 17d-1 to submit requests for extensions of time as contemplated by Regulation T of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (Regulation T) and SEA Rule 15c3-3(n) to FINRA for approval.
June 30, 2023
Guidance
List of extension reason codes with summary information and filing details.
June 30, 2023
Guidance
FINRA Rule 4230(a) requires clearing firms for which FINRA is the designated examining authority pursuant to SEA Rule 17d-1 to submit requests for extensions of time as contemplated by Regulation T of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System1 ("Regulation T") and SEA Rule 15c3-3(n)2 to FINRA for approval.
June 30, 2023
Media Center
In recent years, FINRA created the first uniform National Senior Investor Protection Standards. On this episode, we hear an update on where those senior investor protection rules stand today, explore some of the real-world scenarios in their application and provide tips for some of the tricky conversations that financial professionals might face in connection to their application.
June 27, 2023
Report / Study
June 23, 2023
Guidance

Impact: All Firms

Update (June 22, 2023): The link to the Advisory issued by CISA on June 7, 2023 has been updated to reflect CISA’s current guidance.

Firms should review this information with any vendors who provide information technology services to the firm.

June 16, 2023
Guidance

Impact: All Firms

Firms without dedicated information security professionals may wish to review this information with any vendors who provide those services to the firm.

June 15, 2023
Media Center
FINRA's Examination team carries out a core function of FINRA's business by examining every member firm at least every four years and as often as annually, depending on the risk profile of each individual firm. On this episode, leaders from FINRA's Exam program join us for a deep dive into how the program works and what firms can expect during routine firm exams.
June 13, 2023