FINRA seeks comment on proposed rules addressing the financial exploitation of seniors and other vulnerable adults. FINRA is proposing: (1) amendments to FINRA Rule 4512 (Customer Account Information) to require firms to make reasonable efforts to obtain the name of and contact information for a trusted contact person for a customer’s account; and (2) the adoption of new FINRA Rule 2165 (Financial Exploitation of Specified Adults) to permit qualified persons of firms to place temporary holds on disbursements of funds or securities from the accounts of specified customers where there is a reasonable belief of financial exploitation of these customers.
The SEC approved amendments to the Trade Reporting and Compliance Engine (TRACE) rules to codify that firms are required to report transactions in TRACE-eligible securities that are subject to dissemination as soon as practicable following the time of execution of the transaction. The amendment will become effective on November 30, 2015.The amended rule text is available in the online FINRA Manual.
FINRA is launching, effective November 30, 2015, a new electronic platform on Firm Gateway for firms to submit all new requests for approval of proposed subordinated loan agreements and secured demand note agreements (referred to as subordinations), including renewals of existing agreements. This Notice discusses the electronic submission process, which will replace the current submission of subordination requests in hard copy form to FINRA.
As of November 30, 2015, all new requests must be submitted in electronic form through Firm Gateway, and FINRA will no longer accept new requests filed in hard copy form.
FINRA advises FINRA-registered firms that failure to remit full payment of their Preliminary Statements to FINRA by December 18, 2015, may cause the firm to become ineligible to do business in the jurisdictions where it is registered, effective January 1, 2016. FINRAregistered firms will also be subject to a late fee if payment is not received by December 18, 2015.
