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. 

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Guidance
Interpretive letter to Michael Markunas, B. Riley FBR, Inc. and B. Riley Wealth Management, Inc.

Registered representatives who are not qualified to engage in investment banking activities may, subject to specified conditions, receive transaction-based compensation for referring existing brokerage clients that express an interest in investment banking transactions.

June 16, 2020
Virtual Conference Panel
Social Distancing and the Impact on Older Investors
Today, social distancing is an important component of public health. However the isolation that results has important implications for financial decision making, fraud vulnerability, and cognition among older investors. Join this panel for a discussion of emerging research on these topics and steps you can take to further protect your clients.
June 15, 2020
Report / Study
Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the Securities Industry

Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology is transforming the financial services industry across the globe.

June 10, 2020
Virtual Conference Panel
Financial Crimes, Trends and Responses – In the Midst of the Pandemic
COVID-19 has altered the world as we know it. While some have responded to it as an incident or singular event, in the world of countering criminal threats we are seeing the need to treat it as a sustained campaign. This panel will discuss the multitude of threats across the financial crimes’ spectrum perpetrated by an aggressive yet flexible adversary.
June 09, 2020
Podcast
COVID-19 Task Force: Staying Innovative and Collaborative Through Crisis
The COVID-19 pandemic is unlike any other crisis in recent history, which presents an opportunity to criminals who are flexible and adaptable. That means firms and regulators must be flexible and adaptable too. So FINRA created a COVID-19 Task Force to help FINRA tackle emerging issues to quickly protect investors and our markets.
June 09, 2020
About FINRA
Report on Use of 2019 Fine Monies

FINRA is a not-for-profit, self-regulatory organization (SRO) dedicated to promoting investor protection and market integrity in a manner that facilitates vibrant capital markets. One of FINRA’s tools for achieving this objective is fair and effective enforcement of our member firms’ compliance with securities laws and regulations.

June 04, 2020
Podcast
Introducing Greg Ruppert and the National Cause and Financial Crimes Detection Programs
Between the level of interconnectedness on the web and the sheer about of data available, we’re living in an era ripe for the perpetration of financial fraud. That makes it more important than ever for FINRA to have a holistic view of emerging trends and risks—and the ability to coordinate closely with other regulators and law enforcement. FINRA’s new National Cause and Financial Crimes Detection Programs (NCFC) will be the nerve center to do just that.
May 26, 2020
Virtual Conference Panel
How to Protect Yourself and Your Firm From Cyberattacks When Working From Home During COVID-19
Join FINRA staff and industry panelists as they provide examples of effective controls and tools their firms have put into place to monitor and address cybersecurity risks.
May 19, 2020
Podcast
FINRA Enforcement: Protecting Investors and Markets in Good Times and Bad
FINRA Enforcement works on the front lines of investor protection—not just now, as some look to take advantage of these uncertain time to defraud investors or manipulate the markets – but always. On this episode, we meet Jessica Hopper, FINRA’s new Head of Enforcement, to hear what her team is doing today to prevent investor harm and to keep our markets fair.
May 12, 2020
Virtual Conference Panel
Regulation Best Interest: Compliance Inspections and Examinations
Attend this session to hear from OCIE, FINRA staff and industry experts as they discuss how they intend to examine and inspect for compliance with Reg BI, including a discussion of implementation challenges, frequently asked questions, and issues that are being considered.
May 12, 2020
Virtual Conference Panel
Regulation Best Interest and Form CRS: Where Are We Now
Join panelists as they discuss Regulation Best Interest and Form CRS, its impact on the industry and effective practices to help broker-dealers manage their obligations.
May 06, 2020
Report / Study
Protecting Senior Investors 2015-2020
Seniors make up an increasingly large share of the American population1 and hold higher levels of wealth than other generations. These factors, among others, make seniors an attractive target for financial exploitation, with evidence suggesting that such exploitation has been increasing in terms of both scope and magnitude.
April 30, 2020
FAQ
FINRA Gateway Frequently Asked Questions

Will I be able to log in to FINRA Gateway with my existing Firm Gateway credentials? 

Yes, Firm Gateway users will be able to log in to FINRA Gateway using their existing Firm Gateway credentials.

Can I customize my experience in FINRA Gateway? 

Yes. As of April 7, 2020, you can:

April 15, 2020
Podcast
Securities Helpline for Seniors: Celebrating 5 Years of Senior Investor Protection
FINRA is committed to the protection of senior investors and other vulnerable adults. That’s why FINRA launched the Securities Helpline for Seniors. On this episode, we hear how the Helpline handles calls, frequent areas of concern and how the Helpline has evolved over the five years since its launch.
April 14, 2020
Guidance
FINRA Highlights Firm Practices from Regulation Best Interest Preparedness Reviews
FINRA is sharing the following common practices we observed while conducting Reg BI preparedness reviews and other ongoing conversations with firms. We hope this helps firms assess their Reg BI initiatives and continue their work preparing for the compliance date.
April 08, 2020
Podcast
Business in the Time of COVID-19: BCPs, Regulatory Relief & More
The new coronavirus that causes COVID-19 has rapidly changed the way U.S. broker-dealers must conduct business as states implement various shelter-in-place and stay-at-home orders, forcing workers remote. On this episode, we talk to FINRA’s Chief Legal Officer and Head of Member Supervision to learn how FINRA is adapting its operations and providing important regulatory relief.
March 31, 2020
Guidance
SEC Guidance and Resources Relevant to Member Firms

SEC's COVID-19 Response page

https://www.sec.gov/sec-coronavirus-covid-19-response

606 Relief

https://www.sec.gov/rules/exorders/2020/34-88478.pdf

March 27, 2020
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions Related to Regulatory Relief Due to the Coronavirus Pandemic

Due to the coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19), FINRA is providing temporary relief for member firms from rules and requirements in the Frequently Asked Questions below. The relief provided does not extend beyond the identified rules and requirements. FINRA will continue to monitor the situation to determine whether additional guidance and relief may be appropriate. As coronavirus-related risks decrease, member firms should expect to return to meeting any regulatory obligations for which relief has been provided.

March 24, 2020
Guidance
Termination of SEC Temporary Exemptive Relief from Fingerprinting Requirements for, Among Others, Members and All of Their Associated Persons; Termination of Additional Temporary Extension of Time for Fingerprinting Under FINRA Rules

On March 20, 2020, the Securities and Exchange Commission (“Commission”) issued an order that, among other things, provided a temporary exemption until May 30, 2020, from the fingerprinting requirements of Securities Exchange Act Rule 17f-2 for FINRA members and transfer agents registered with the Commission (“March 20 Order”).

March 24, 2020
Guidance
Regulatory Operations Update
FINRA remains fully operational during the COVID-19 outbreak through the support of our robust remote work capabilities, and we continue to carry out our regulatory responsibilities of protecting investors and market integrity in these challenging times.
March 23, 2020
Board of Governors Meeting
March 2020 Board Update
Updates from the March 2020 FINRA Board of Governors meeting.
March 18, 2020
Podcast
The MAP Group: Gatekeeper to the Broker-Dealer Industry
The Membership Application Program Group is the gatekeeper to the broker-dealer industry. It works both to protect investors by ensuring would-be firms meet FINRA’s standards of admission and to help new and existing firms grow and evolve, ensuring a vibrant market for all. On this episode, we learn more.
March 17, 2020
Podcast
FINRA & CE Council: Enhancing Industry Continuing Education
The CE Council, FINRA and other CE Council members are working together on the biggest change to continuing education for broker dealers in 25 years. On this episode, we hear both the firm and regulatory perspective as we learn what will be changing in the years ahead.
March 03, 2020
Guidance
Targeted Examination Letter on Zero Commissions

February 2020

Trading & Financial Compliance Examinations (“TFCE”) of the Market Regulation Department (“Market Regulation”) at the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc. (“FINRA”) is conducting a review of [FIRM] concerning the Firm’s decision not to charge commissions for customer transactions, the impact that not charging commissions has or will have on the Firm’s order routing practices and decisions, and other aspects of the Firm’s business. 

February 20, 2020
Podcast
Advertising Regulation: Expect More Than Just Hype
When deciding where and in what to invest, it’s important that investors understand the risks—not just the marketing hype. That’s why FINRA’s Advertising Regulation Group works to oversee broker-dealer communications to ensure that they are fair, balanced and not misleading. On this episode, we learn more.
February 18, 2020