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Requirements under NASD Rule 3030 (formerly Article III, Section 43) for investment seminar activities conducted by dually registered persons that charge fees from participants.
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.
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.
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).
Background
A critical part of the registration process in the securities industry is the background investigation of applicants for registration and the timely and accurate reporting of information to the Central Registration Depository (CRD) system via the Form U4 (Uniform Application for Securities Industry Registration or Transfer).
In Regulatory Notice 23-17, FINRA announced its decision, effective November 30, 2023, to discontinue collecting INSITE data, pursuant to Rule 4540, at this time. As a result, effective November 30, 2023, the Customer Debits Report was retired from the FINRA Report Center.
Background
FINRA administers qualification examinations that are designed to establish that persons associated with broker-dealers have attained specified levels of competence and knowledge pertinent to their function. Over time, the qualification examination program has increased in complexity to address new products and functions, and related regulatory concerns and requirements.
To assist firms in complying with SEC Rules regarding financial and operational matters, FINRA has published and will periodically update certain interpretations provided by the staff of the SEC's Division of Trading and Markets.
The TRACE Quality of Markets Report Card for Securitized Products is a monthly status report for the reporting of transactions in Asset Backed Securities, Mortgage Backed Securities and other similar securities, collectively defined as "Securitized Products", to the Trade Reporting and Compliance Engine (TRACE). Firms are required to report trades in accordance with established FINRA rules and regulations.
Q: Is the exemption under paragraph (f)(1)(B) of Rule 4360 for “members whose business is solely that of a Designated Market Maker... and who does not conduct business with the public” available to members whose business consists solely of market making activities on one or more national securities exchanges, regardless of whether the member is designated or registered in such capacity on a particular exchange?
Background
FINRA examines broker-dealers on a regular cycle basis, with firms posing greater risk receiving an examination more frequently. In connection with each of these examinations, FINRA prepares a report—which is available only to the relevant firm—addressing certain aspects of the firm's compliance with securities rules and regulations.