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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
Regulatory and Compliance Alerts (RCA)
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July 01, 1995
Regulatory and Compliance Alerts (RCA)
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March 31, 1995
Regulatory and Compliance Alerts (RCA)
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January 01, 1995
Regulatory and Compliance Alerts (RCA)
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October 01, 1994
Interpretive Letter
The applicability of Section 40 (Rule 3040) to situations in which a financial plan is delivered to a customer without an execution of a securities transaction.
September 27, 1994
Interpretive Letter

Requirements under NASD Rule 3030 (formerly Article III, Section 43) for investment seminar activities conducted by dually registered persons that charge fees from participants.

September 15, 1994
Interpretive Letter

Clarification of NASD Notice to Members 94-44 to situations in which a dually registered person maintains discretionary trading authority, determines portfolio changes, and prepares trade instructions for customer accounts and charges the accounts an asset-based fee.

August 05, 1994
Regulatory and Compliance Alerts (RCA)
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June 01, 1994
Regulatory and Compliance Alerts (RCA)
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March 01, 1994
Interpretive Letter
Suitability responsibilities of a discount broker/dealer when a customer is trading in options contracts (under former Article III, Section 2, now Rule 2310).
May 18, 1993
Interpretive Letter

Whether a proposed standby purchase agreement entered into between affiliate of a member and an issuer in connection with a public offering of the issuer's common stock could constitute an option.

February 24, 1993
Interpretive Letter
Application of NASD Notice to Members 90-52 to member firms that do not recommend securities transactions to their customers, but limit their business to accepting unsolicited orders from customers (under former Article III, Section 2, now Rule 2310).
November 13, 1990
Interpretive Letter

Cash rebates issued to pension plan customers with respect to secondary market transactions in outstanding securities (under former Article III, Section 24, now Rule 2740 and IM-2740).

December 22, 1988
Guidance
FINRA has created this page to educate member firms on “Firm Identity Theft”.

Compliance Tools
Report cards created for firms to monitor timeliness of Corporate Financing filings.These report cards display statistics about late filings submitted to Corporate Financing.

FAQ
Following are "Frequently Asked Questions" regarding the Order Audit Trail System (OATS).

FAQ

Account Creation

1. I am a new user and need to request an enrollment. How do I log into TESS?

Please visit our “Enroll for a Series Exam” page and select the appropriate link for the exam you are requesting. Note that before you can enroll as a new user for an exam using TESS, you must register to create a profile. Use the following steps to register:


Compliance Tools

The Reg NMS Trade Through Report Card is a monthly statistical report detailing the transactions in NMS Securities that appear to have been reported by your firm to a Trade Reporting Facility ("TRF") or to FINRA's Alternative Display Facility at a price that traded through at least one protected best bid or offer at the respective time of execution. If non-compliance with the Order Protection Rule of Regulation NMS is found to exist, your firm may be found to be in violation of SEC Rule 611 of Regulation NMS.


Compliance Tools

Overview

FINRA is providing this checklist to help members assess their obligations under the SEC’s Regulation Best Interest (Reg BI) and Form CRS Relationship Summary (Form CRS). The checklist is not a substitute for any rule. Only the rule can provide definitive information regarding its requirements. Interpretive questions should be directed to the SEC, at [email protected].


FAQ
Frequently asked questions related to OATS reporting requirements to OTC equity securities.

FAQ

For detailed information regarding amendments to FINRA Rule 4530, please see Regulatory Notice 13-08.


Compliance Tools

 The MSRB G-32 Report Card is a monthly status report to help firms evaluate the timeliness of their required filings under Municipal Securities Rulemaking Board (MSRB) Rule G-32. Amended Rule G-32, which became effective on June 1, 2009, consolidated the filing requirements of former Rule G-36 and the official statement delivery requirements of Rule G-32.


FAQ

1. My firm filed with the Advertising Regulation Department a retail communication that promotes or recommends a private placement subject to the filing requirements of FINRA Rules 5122 or 5123. Do we now need to file the same communication with the Corporate Financing Department?


Compliance Tools
Form CMA is organized by 14 standards for admission as set forth under Rule 1014(a) and specifies the documents and information required to support each standard. The items listed in this checklist are also organized by standard and focus on the standards and their related documentation and information that an applicant may inadvertently overlook when submitting the application. Firms should treat this checklist as a starting point for preparing Form CMA. Firms are advised to review the rules applicable to a CMA, including Rules 1014 and 1017, together with Form CMA. During the course of the review process, FINRA may request additional documents and information as necessary to render a decision on the application.