Guidance

FINRA is providing these Frequently Asked Questions about its 529 Plan Share Class Initiative (the “Initiative”) in response to a number of inquiries it has received from firms and trade associations. In order to allow firms sufficient time to consider the additional information provided here and to provide firms more time to review their supervisory systems and procedures with respect to 529 plan sales, FINRA is extending the due dates set forth in Regulatory Notice 19-04.

This report continues FINRA’s efforts to share information that can help brokerdealer firms further develop their cybersecurity programs. Firms routinely identify cybersecurity as one of their primary operational risks. Similarly, FINRA continues to see problematic cybersecurity practices in its examination and risk monitoring program. This report presents FINRA’s observations regarding effective practices that firms have implemented to address selected cybersecurity risks while recognizing that there is no one-size-fits-all approach to cybersecurity.

• Anti-Money Laundering
• Accuracy of Net Capital Computations
• Liquidity
• Segregation of Client Assets
• Operations Professional Registration

Technology Based Innovations for Regulatory Compliance in the Securities Industry outlines recent regulatory technology (RegTech) developments within the securities industry and potential opportunities and implications these technologies may have for broker-dealers.

A resource where small broker-dealer firms can get help navigating FINRA’s systems and resources.

As part of our ongoing efforts to provide support for small firms, and in response to the FINRA Special Notice on Engagement and FINRA360, FINRA developed the Small Firm Helpline to assist broker-dealers that need general help navigating FINRA’s systems and resources.

We launched FINRA360 in March 2017 with one overarching objective: to ensure that FINRA is operating as the most effective and efficient self-regulatory organization (SRO) we can be.

Large Options Positions Report (LOPR) – Listed
FINRA is providing Listed LOPR exceptions from FINRA’s Listed LOPR Audit Exception Report. The LOPR Listed report contains three types of exceptions for exchange-traded options: The Effective Date, LOPR Reporting Exceptions and In-Concert Exceptions.

On May 14, 2018, amendments to FINRA Rule 2232 will take effect, which require a member firm to disclose on the customer confirmation the amount of mark-up or mark-down it applies for certain trades with retail customers in corporate or agency debt securities. Disclosed mark-ups must be calculated consistent with existing Rule 2121.

Customers who pursue civil remedies or arbitration claims against investment professionals cannot always recover on their judgments or awards. Customers encounter this challenge across the forums in which they may pursue action— whether state or federal court, a dispute resolution forum administered by a regulator, a private arbitration venue, or otherwise — and across the range of financial services they may use.