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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
About FINRA

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.


FAQ
1. For purposes of the SEC Large Trader Reporting Rule (SEA Rule 13h-1), what is the format of the LTID and the optional suffix? 2. For purposes of the SEC Large Trader Reporting Rule (SEA Rule 13h-1), how should Unidentified Large Traders be designated? ...

FAQ
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A motion to dismiss is a request made by a party to the arbitrator(s) to remove some or all claims raised by another party filing a claim. Rule 12504 of the Code of Arbitration Procedure for Customer Disputes and Rule 13504 of the Code of Arbitration Procedure for Industry Disputes (collectively, the Codes) establish procedures that govern motions to dismiss.


Compliance Tools

The Cross-Market Equities Supervision Manipulation Report is a tool designed to provide firms feedback on exceptions that were generated based on the firm’s order entry and trading activity in a given surveillance period. The report covers two distinct analyses; layering and Cross-Market Quote Spoofing. This report is produced on a monthly basis.


Compliance Tools

This report provides a summary of the review activity for the filings submitted during the selected and previous reporting periods.

If you have questions regarding the content of this report, please contact FINRA Corporate Financing at (240) 386-4623.

Deals Filed During the Selected Period

Term

Description

FINRA Review Program


FAQ

General

1. Q: Why does FINRA publish the Sanction Guidelines?

A: FINRA publishes the Sanction Guidelines to familiarize member firms and associated persons with the disciplinary sanctions that could result from typical securities industry rule violations.

2. Q: Who develops the sanctions and fines?


FAQ
Continuing Membership Guide - Frequently Asked Questions

About FINRA

Background

Since we introduced our FINRA360 initiative, FINRA has taken a series of actions to enhance support for small firms, including providing small firms with tools and resources to help them comply with regulations.

A consistent comment that FINRA has heard is a desire on the part of small firms for a tool to allow them to get answers to general questions that did not rise to a level that required involvement by their Regulatory Coordinator.


FAQ
The FINRA Institute CRCP Scholarship Program provides small firms-those with less than 150 registered representatives-with a financial grant covering full tuition for the entire program, including room and board for the residential courses at Wharton.

Compliance Tools

The 4530 Disclosure Timeliness Report Card is produced on a monthly basis to show a firm's performance in timely reporting of disclosure events as required by FINRA Rule 4530(a) and (b). The information in this report comes primarily from the Rule 4530 Application; to read more about the system, please see Disclosure Events and Customer Complaint Filings.


Technical Documentation
Tips, system visual aids, user manuals, and other tools that should aid smaller member firms in the usage of Web CRD System-related registration activities

About FINRA

Background

FINRA has been actively monitoring financial technology-related (FinTech) developments in the securities industry. A growing number of FinTech firms have been embracing new technologies, pioneering innovative products and developing new client-oriented financial services business models. Many traditional financial service providers are also rethinking their business models, incorporating these technologies and services. As part of the FINRA360 process, FINRA determined that it needed to enhance resources dedicated to this rapidly developing area of the industry.


FAQ

The FINRA qualification and registration requirements are set forth in FINRA Rules 1210 through 1240.1 These rules, among other things: (1) require the registration of individuals as representatives or principals; (2) allow for the permissive registration of associated persons of firms; (3) establish a waiver program for individuals working for a financial services industry affiliate of a member firm; (4) require firms to designate a Principal Financial Officer and a Principal Operations Officer; and (5) set forth requirements for registered persons who are to function as princip


FAQ
Every day at FINRA, we protect investors from misconduct, stop fraud and provide restitution to harmed customers. And we are successful—in part because customers and other members of the public provide information and crucial evidence during the course of an investigation.

Compliance Tools

The Firm Summary Scorecard provides an overview of certain performance and comparison statistics from each of the active individual report cards in one specific location. The Scorecard supplies data available in the respective report cards for the current month and the preceding month.

Report Glossary

The table below provides a reference description for all of the elements found in the Firm Summary Scorecard. (See Firm Summary Scorecard for a sample segment of the report.)

Term


Compliance Tools

Term

Description

Unequal Long and Short Positions


FAQ

General

  1. Do Rules 5110, 5121 and 2310 (the “Corporate Financing Rules”) apply to Regulation A offerings?

Compliance Tools
Activities relating to digital assets have attracted the interest of prospective and existing FINRA member firms. Digital asset securities with their related innovative technologies raise novel, complex and challenging regulatory and compliance questions, and challenges for both prospective and existing FINRA members.

FAQ

Q: Are members that provide FINRA an electronic feed (“eFeed”) of account transaction and position data via secure file transfer protocol (SFTP) for the accounts of FINRA employees also required to send duplicate account statements to FINRA under Rule 2070(a)? NEW


FAQ
A list of frequently asked questions related to UPC.

Events & Training

FINRA recently introduced a new interactive report card designed to help firms proactively detect potential compliance problems and strengthen their oversight capabilities. The optional report card provides near real-time insights and interactive features to help identify reporting deficiencies and enhance your compliance programs.

To view the report card, you must have the entitlement: Firm View TRACE Quality of Markets Report Card


Guidance
In November 2000, the SEC adopted Exchange Act Rule 11Ac1-5. Rule 11Ac1-5 is aimed at improving public disclosure of order execution quality. Under Rule 11Ac1-5, the SEC requires market centers that trade national market system securities to make monthly electronic reports.

Compliance Tools
Reports published for firms to monitor their performance in reporting disclosure and non-disclosure events and CRD late filing fee information.

About FINRA

Background

In response to the March 2017 Special Notice on Engagement issued as part of FINRA360, FINRA received a number of comments and suggestions regarding the effectiveness of communications with and education of firms, including ways in which FINRA could enhance its engagement with member firms. After careful review of the comments and suggestions received, FINRA is taking a number of actions.