FINRA Rule 3270 prohibits any registered person from being an employee, independent contractor, sole proprietor, officer, director or partner of another person, or being compensated, or having the reasonable expectation of compensation, from another person as a result of any business activity outside the scope of the relationship with the member firm unless he or … Continue reading Outside Business Activity Review (NASD Rule 3050) →

Regulatory Notice 14-20 Implementation Date: October 1, 2014 Executive Summary Starting on October 1, 2014, firms must select revised and new product and problem codes when: (1) reporting information regarding written customer complaints alleging theft or misappropriation of funds or securities, or forgery; (2) reporting quarterly statistical and summary information regarding written customer complaints; and … Continue reading FINRA Revises the Product and Problem Codes Used for Reporting Customer Complaints and Filing Required Documents Online →

Where is the SILA 2014 National Education Conference? Disneyland® Hotel Anaheim, California When is the SILA 2014 National Education Conference? October 5-8, 2014 Attend SILA's annual conference to participate and learn about hot topics affecting insurance and securities licensing professionals. Following are securities related sessions on the agenda for the 2014 conference.  

FINRA's annual Advertising Regulation Conference provides practical guidance on complying with advertising rules and regulations for communications with the public. Highlights Current regulatory developments in securities advertising Interactive, hands-on workshops Office hours with FINRA Advertising Regulation analysts CLE and CPE credits available Register early for reduced in-person rates. Additional conference details—including the agenda and session … Continue reading FINRA Advertising Regulation Conference →

www.sec.gov

SR-FINRA-2014-035 Proposed Rule Change to Revise the Series 24 Examination Program Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc. (“FINRA”) is filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC” or “Commission”) revisions to the content outline and selection specifications for the General Securities Principal (Series 24) examination program. The proposed revisions update the material to reflect changes to … Continue reading Proposed Rule Change to Revise the Series 24 Examination Program →

SR-FINRA-2014-034 Proposed Rule Change to Revise the Series 23 Examination Program Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc. (“FINRA”) is filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC” or “Commission”) revisions to the content outline and selection specifications for the General Securities Principal Sales Supervisor Module (Series 23) examination program.2 The proposed revisions update the material to … Continue reading Proposed Rule Change to Revise the Series 23 Examination Program →

The firm should complete the review of the outside brokerage accounts of all associated persons for the prior month. finra.complinet.com/en/display/display_main.html

SIFMA's next Social Media Seminar will take place on October 23, 2014 in New York City. Coming back to New York from the west coast, this one-day event brings together experts across multiple fields to further explore the increasingly important issues our industry faces in light of the rapidly changing and growing tools of social … Continue reading SIFMA Social Media Seminar →

Join SIFMA and SIFMA's Compliance & Legal Society at an Ethics Seminar for financial services lawyers. Top industry professionals will discuss a range of topics, including: the SEC and CFTC ethics rules, internal investigations, privilege issues, client relationships, and much more. Learn more about the ethical issues impacting the industry and satisfy all your ethics … Continue reading SIFMA Ethics Seminar →

The Complex Products Forum is a collaborative event that brings together regulators, distributors, and manufacturers to discuss the issues, challenges, and opportunities related to the sale of complex products to retail investors. This full-day program will examine: Reasonable-basis suitability and innovative investment products Due diligence process when on boarding new products Ongoing supervision and oversight … Continue reading SIFMA Complex Products Forum →

Join SIFMA's Financial Management Society (FMS) and the AICPA on October 29-30 for the latest accounting, auditing and financial regulatory developments affecting securities firms. Hear from regulators first-hand and gain access to in-depth analysis and thought provoking Q&A sessions with industry experts. NEW LOCATION: This year, the conference will be held at the New York … Continue reading SIFMA National Conference on the Securities Industry →

FINRA Rule 3270 prohibits any registered person from being an employee, independent contractor, sole proprietor, officer, director or partner of another person, or being compensated, or having the reasonable expectation of compensation, from another person as a result of any business activity outside the scope of the relationship with the member firm unless he or … Continue reading Outside Business Activity Review (NASD Rule 3050) →

FINRA and the Wharton School offer the Certified Regulatory and Compliance Professional (CRCP) Program—an executive education experience that covers the theory and practical application of securities laws and regulation through intensive instruction, discussion and case studies. The program is comprised of two weeklong residential courses at the Wharton campus in Philadelphia. Week I – August … Continue reading FINRA and the Wharton School offer CRCP Program →

SIFMA's 2014 Annual Meeting gathers the leaders of the financial services industry together with prominent policymakers and financial media. In one-on-one conversations, thought leaders will share their perspectives on how the financial services industry will best serve tomorrow's economy. Join us to explore the role of capitalism in creating opportunity across America. How do we … Continue reading SIFMA 2014 Annual Meeting →

www.sec.gov

SIFMA 2014 Diversity Conference: 20/20 VISION For Global Diversity and Inclusion SIFMA's annual Diversity and Inclusion Conference brings together industry leaders to share perspectives on ways to advance Diversity and Inclusion as a crucial ingredient in achieving an organization's priorities and meeting the needs of clients as well as employees. Business line managers and leaders, … Continue reading SIFMA Diversity Conference →

The firm should complete the review of the outside brokerage accounts of all associated persons for the prior month. finra.complinet.com/en/display/display_main.html

2014 FINRA South Region Compliance Seminar November 20 – 21, 2014 Fort Lauderdale, FL Marriott Harbor Beach Registration is now open for the FINRA South Region Compliance Seminar. The One-and-a-half-day event provides compliance and legal professionals an opportunity to discuss important regulatory and compliance issues and solutions with industry peers and regulators. Throughout the event, … Continue reading FINRA South Region Compliance Seminar →

The Corporate Actions Section Annual Dinner will be returning to the Lighthouse at Chelsea Piers, and will provide an opportunity for CAS members to network.

www.finra.org/AboutFINRA/HolidaySchedule

2014 FINRA Small Firm Conference December 10 – 11, 2014 San Francisco, CA Registration is now open for FINRA's new Small Firm Conference, which focuses on small firms' practices and tips for complying with FINRA rules. Each session begins with a FINRA staff member highlighting key requirements of a rule, and then small firm panelists … Continue reading 2014 FINRA Small Firm Conference →

Firms with sufficient monies in their Flex-Funding Account will have funds transferred to their Renewal Account to cover total renewal fees owed.  Transfers will be conducted every day until Web CRD shuts down for year-end procesing.

www.finra.org/AboutFINRA/HolidaySchedule

FINRA Rule 3270 prohibits any registered person from being an employee, independent contractor, sole proprietor, officer, director or partner of another person, or being compensated, or having the reasonable expectation of compensation, from another person as a result of any business activity outside the scope of the relationship with the member firm unless he or … Continue reading Outside Business Activity Review (NASD Rule 3050) →

Web CRD and IARD are unavailable as Final Statements are generating.

Web CRD/IARD are available from 8 am to 6 pm ET. Note: FINRA will be closed Saturday, December 27 and FINRA staff support is unavailable.  Therefore, Forms U4 and BD filing/deficiencies will not be manually reviewed by staff until full system functionality resumes on Jan. 2, 2015.

Web CRD and IARD are available for QUERY-only and the creation of "Pending" filings.

Web CRD and IARD are available with complete functionality as of 5 a.m., ET, including submitting form filings and approving registrations. • Overpayments are transferred to firms' Flex-Funding Account. Refund requests should be made from this account. • Final Renewal Statements and reports are available for viewing and printing.

Five Challenges Firms Should Address Highlighted in 10th Anniversary of Letter WASHINGTON — The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) today released its 2015 Regulatory and Examination Priorities letter highlighting significant risks and issues that, if not properly addressed, could adversely affect investors and market integrity. This year's letter, the tenth edition of providing such guidance … Continue reading FINRA Releases 2015 Regulatory and Exam Priorities Letter →

Alexandria, VA – The Municipal Securities Rulemaking Board (MSRB) today announced that its Electronic Municipal Market Access (EMMA®) service would begin collecting and disseminating disclosures related to municipal asset-backed securities required under the Securities and Exchange Commission’s (SEC) Rule 15Ga-1 on January 9, 2015. Read the regulatory notice. The changes facilitate a requirement adopted by … Continue reading MSRB Accepting Municipal Asset-Backed Securities Disclosures on EMMA →

MSRB PUBLISHES 2014 ANNUAL REPORT AND AUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTSAlexandria, VA – The Municipal Securities Rulemaking Board (MSRB) today published its 2014 Annual Report, which highlights important advances in municipal advisor regulation, enhancements to market structure and ongoing efforts to maximize regulatory efficiency. The MSRB, created by Congress in 1975, is the principal regulator of the municipal securities market. … Continue reading MSRB 2014 Annual Report →

New York, N.Y., January 14, 2015 - SIFMA today issued our 2014 Year in Review. The report highlights the work of more than 10,000 professionals from 500 member firms who participate in 100 committees and countless working groups to advocate in support of effective and resilient capital markets. The full report is available in PDF at … Continue reading SIFMA Issues 2014 Year in Review →

In accordance with NASD Conduct Rule 3050, all associated persons shall be required to notify the member firm of the existence of any and all securities accounts maintained by the associated person with any foreign or domestic brokerage firm, bank, investment adviser or other financial institution. Further, all associated persons shall be required to notify … Continue reading NASD Rule 3050 Transactions for Associated Persons →

Final Renewal Statements: On January 2, 2015, Final Renewal Statements and reports became available for viewing and printing in Web CRD/IARD. These statements reflect the final status of broker-dealer, registered representative, investment adviser firm, investment adviser representative, and branch registrations and/or notice filings as of December 31, 2014. Any adjustments in fees owed because of … Continue reading FINRA BD & IA Renewals for 2015 Renewal Statement deadline →

Firms with sufficient monies in their Flex-Funding Account will have funds transferred to their Renewal Account to cover total renewal fees owed. Transfers will be conducted every day until any outstanding renewal assessment is satisfied.

Washington, D.C., January 20, 2015 - SIFMA today released the following statements from Kenneth E. Bentsen, Jr., president and CEO, on President Obama’s State of the Union address: Cybersecurity: “SIFMA applauds the President's focus on cybersecurity as this is a top priority for the financial services industry, one that our members are dedicating significant resources … Continue reading SIFMA Statement on the State of the Union Address →

Alexandria, VA – The Board of Directors of the Municipal Securities Rulemaking Board (MSRB) held its quarterly meeting January 28-29, 2015, where it reached another milestone in its development of a baseline qualifying exam for individuals who engage in municipal advisory activities, such as providing financial advice to state and local governments on municipal bond issuances. … Continue reading MSRB Quarterly Board Meeting →

Description Proposed rule change to amend FINRA Rule 6433 (Minimum Quotation Size Requirements for OTC Equity Securities) to extend the Tier Size Pilot, which currently is scheduled to expire on February 13, 2015, for an additional three months, until May 15, 2015.

New York, NY, January 29, 2015 - SIFMA today issued its quarterly government securities issuance and rates forecast for the first quarter of 2015. The full report is available at the following link: http://www.sifma.org/govtforecast1Q2015/

www.msrb.org/Rules-and-Interpretations/Regulatory-Notices.aspx

WASHINGTON — The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) Investor Education Foundation and the American Library Association (ALA) have announced $1.8 million in grants to 21 recipients as part of the Smart investing@your library® initiative. Smart investing@your library® is administered jointly by the Reference and User Services Association—a division of ALA—and the FINRA Investor Education Foundation. … Continue reading FINRA Investor Education Foundation & the American Library Association Announce $1.8 million in Grants to Public Libraries to Support Financial Literacy →

Students from High Schools and Middle Schools from all 50 States Participate in the SIFMA Foundation Competition to Promote Financial Capability and Expose Students to Fiscal Policymaking Washington, DC, February 2, 2015—SIFMA and the SIFMA Foundation today kicked-off the 12th annual Stock Market Game™-Capitol Hill Challenge (CHC). This 14-week challenge organizes teams of middle and … Continue reading SIFMA and the SIFMA Foundation Kick-Off the 12th Annual Stock Market Game™-Capitol Hill Challenge →

Industry's empirical analysis shows FSB's TLAC calibration is higher than needed New York, NY - Today, The Clearing House (TCH), the Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association (SIFMA), the American Bankers Association (ABA) and the Financial Services Roundtable (FSR) filed a comment letter with the Financial Stability Board (FSB) in response to its proposal to … Continue reading Industry Supports Total Loss Absorbency Requirement to Help Ensure G-SIBs Can Be Resolved in an Orderly Manner without Taxpayer Assistance →

The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) issued a new report on cybersecurity, which details practices that firms can tailor to their business model as they strengthen their cybersecurity efforts. The Report on Cybersecurity Practices draws in part from the results of FINRA's recent targeted examination ("sweep") of a cross-section of firms. The sweep, conducted in … Continue reading FINRA Issues Report on Cybersecurities Practices →

Washington D.C., Feb. 3, 2015 — The Securities and Exchange Commission today released publications that address cybersecurity at brokerage and advisory firms and provide suggestions to investors on ways to protect their online investment accounts. “Cybersecurity threats know no boundaries.  That’s why assessing the readiness of market participants and providing investors with information on how … Continue reading SEC Alerts Investors, Industry on Cybersecurity →

The frequency and sophistication of cybersecurity attacks are increasing, and combating these threats remains a priority for regulators and firms. That’s why FINRA and SIFMA are joining forces to host a full-day conference dedicated to discussing important issues around cybersecurity. The program is intended to foster a culture of risk management and protection from cyber … Continue reading FINRA & SIFMA: Cybersecurity Conference →

FIA and SIFMA Asset Management Group are hosting a comprehensive review of the most critical derivatives issues facing the buy-side. With international regulation of the derivatives markets heating up, new leadership in place at the derivatives regulators and the one-year anniversary of mandatory swap trade execution approaching, challenges to trading in the global swaps markets … Continue reading FIA & SIFMA: Asset Management Derivatives Forum 2015 →

Miami Regional Director Eric Bustillo and Fort Worth Regional Director David Woodcock will be panelists at the 33rd Annual Federal Securities Institute. Their panel will discuss SEC enforcement and private litigation developments. Location: 1435 Brickell Ave., Miami Contact: Alec Moore, 646-562-3495, alexander.moore@thomsonreuters.com

www.sec.gov/news/whatsnew/wn-today.shtml

9:10 and 10:45 a.m. Elizabeth Murphy, Associate Director, Division of Corporation Finance, will participate on two panels at the 33rd Annual Federal Securities Institute. The panel at 9:10 a.m. will focus on disclosure, executive compensation, accounting and other regulatory developments. The panel at 10:45 a.m. will discuss public and private capital raising. Location: 1435 Brickell … Continue reading SEC: 33rd Annual Federal Securities Institute →

Rule change to extend the expiration date of FINRA Rule 0180 (Application of Rules to Security-Based Swaps) to February 11, 2016. FINRA Rule 0180 temporarily limits, with certain exceptions, the application of FINRA rules with respect to security-based swaps.

10:00 a.m.       Investor Advisory Committee Quarterly Meeting See IAC Agenda Location: SEC Headquarters, Multipurpose Room, 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. Contact: Frankie White, 202-551-4310

FINRA's Annual User Accounts Certification Process is underway and will conclude February 12, 2015. During this certification period, Super Account Administrators (SAAs) for firms with more than one user must certify that users at their firm who require access to applications in FINRA's Entitlement Program have the appropriate entitlement privileges to perform their job responsibilities. … Continue reading Annual Entitlement User Accounts Certification Process →

SIFMA’s FINRA Disciplinary Hearings Forum is a half-day interactive program that will provide valuable insights and practice tips both for lawyers experienced in FINRA proceedings and those new to the forum. Panelists will include FINRA’s Chief Hearing Officer, FINRA’s Head of Litigation, and other senior officers from FINRA’s Office of Hearing Officers and Department of … Continue reading FINRA Disciplinary Hearings Forum →

Effective February 14, 2015, the Section 31 fee rate applicable to specified securities transactions on the exchanges and in the over-the-counter markets will decrease from its current rate of $22.10 per million dollars in transactions to a new rate of $18.40 per million dollars in transactions. Finance-related questions should be directed to Robert Huml, Accounting … Continue reading New Rate for Fees Paid Under Section 31 of the Exchange Act →

www.finra.org/AboutFINRA/HolidaySchedule/

2 p.m. Advisory Committee on Small and Emerging Companies will hold a public meeting by conference telephone call. Location: Conference Call Contact: Julie Davis, acsecquery@sec.gov

Alexandria, VA – The Municipal Securities Rulemaking Board (MSRB), the self-regulatory organization that oversees the $3.6 trillion municipal securities market, is accepting applications for its Board of Directors. The Board sets the strategic direction of the organization, makes policy decisions, authorizes rulemaking and market transparency initiatives, and oversees MSRB operations. The MSRB is seeking individuals knowledgeable … Continue reading MSRB Seeks Board of Directors Applicants →

FINRA requests comment on a proposal to identify over-the-counter (OTC) trades in NMS stocks reported more than two seconds following trade execution as "out of sequence" and not last sale eligible for public dissemination purposes. See Regulatory Notice 14-46. The comment period expires February 20, 2015.

FINRA is soliciting comment on a proposal to reduce the synchronization tolerance for computer clocks. The current clock synchronization requirements allow for a tolerance of one second from the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) atomic clock. Under the proposal, the tolerance for computer clocks would be reduced to 50 milliseconds. The tolerance for … Continue reading FINRA Request for Comments Deadline: Synchronization for computer clocks →

FINRA Board of Governors Rulemaking Items for Discussion at the February 2015 Meeting The FINRA Board of Governors will consider the following rulemaking items at its February 2015 meeting. After the meeting, FINRA will notify firms via email about the Board's actions on these items and anticipated next steps, if any.   BrokerCheck Disclosure The … Continue reading FINRA Board of Governors February Meeting: Rulemaking Items for Discussion →

SIFMA's 2015 Anti-Money Laundering and Financial Crimes Conference will bring together leading experts from the industry, regulatory agencies and law enforcement to discuss new trends in financial crime; emerging issues relating to anti-money laundering, economic sanctions and anti-bribery/anti-corruption compliance; and changes in regulatory expectations and requirements.  Now in its 15th year, this is the only … Continue reading SIFMA Anti-Money Laundering & Financial Crimes Conference →

Event status: Not started (Register) Date and time: Tuesday, February 24, 2015 3:00 pm Eastern Standard Time (New York, GMT-05:00) Change time zone Duration: 1 hour Description: Join NSCP and Renaissance Regulatory Services, Inc. on {date and time} for a free webinar on the compliance issues faced by state registered investment advisers. Presenters will provide … Continue reading NSCP: Free Webinar – How to Successfully Navigate State Investment Adviser Regulations →

SIFMA's popular Social Media Seminar is coming back to the West Coast. Join us for this full day Seminar that brings together experts from across multiple fields to further explore the important issues facing our industry in light of the rapidly changing and growing tools of social media. Please use the link for more details. … Continue reading SIFMA Social Media Seminar 2015 →

Hear from the Regulators at on a “Margin Regulation: Current State and Future Trends” panel at the February Credit & Margin Dinner. This panel will have representatives from the CBOE, FBR, OCC, CME and FINRA. Please use the link below to find out more information. www.sifma.org/events/

Members of SIPC are required to pay their assessment on SIPC Net Operating Revenue as defined by the SIPC By Laws Article VI. The SIPC 6 General Assessment is to be filed by all members of the Securities Investor Protection Corporation for the first half of each fiscal year, due no later than 30 days … Continue reading SIPC Assessments (Year ending 12/31/2014) SIPC 7 →

The SIFMA Insurance- and Risk-Linked Securities Conference (IRLS 2015) will feature industry experts, sponsors and institutional investors discussing this growing and evolving market place, product design and innovation, and emerging trends. Please use the link below to find out more information. www.sifma.org/events/

The Securities Industry Institute® (SII) is the premier executive development program for financial services professionals. For more than 60 years, SIFMA and The Wharton School of The University of Pennsylvania have partnered to equip SII participants with practical information, ideas and answers directly applicable to their present and future responsibilities.

www.finra.org/web/groups/industry/@ip/@edu/documents/education/p602223.pdf Please use the link above for more information. Fixed Income Conference March 10, 2015 New York, NY FINRA's Fixed Income Conference addresses current impacts on the fixed income markets and how regulators and firms are responding. Topics include: fixed income-related examination and enforcement update; risk management for institutional firms; fixed income compliance practices for … Continue reading FINRA Fixed Income Conference →

The 2015 Foundations of Web CRD/IARD training is designed for those at broker-dealers or joint broker-dealer/investment adviser firms who are new to registration and licensing, new to Web CRD and IARD, or who want to receive a refresher and registration tips. The two-day program offers practical, hands-on and comprehensive training. Six sessions are being offered: … Continue reading 2015 Foundations of Web CRD/IARD Training →

Anaheim, CA :: March 12, 2015 :: Sheraton Park Hotel – Anaheim Resort

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2015 FINRA Diversity Summit (SOLD OUT) March 18, 2015 9:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. New York, NY FINRA’s Diversity Summit provides a forum for diversity practitioners and business leaders from securities firms, financial regulators and other organizations to share diversity and inclusion best practices that link business goals to the workplace and the marketplace. Hear … Continue reading FINRA Diversity Summit →

Atlanta, GA :: March 24, 2015 :: Kilpatrick Townsend & Stockton LLP

www.finra.org/AboutFINRA/HolidaySchedule

9:30 - 10:00 a.m. Welcome Remarks and Continental Breakfast 10:00 - 10:05 a.m. Approval of Minutes 10:05 - 10:20 a.m. Nomination of Candidates for Officer Positions to Become Available Upon Expiration of Current Three-Year Terms 10:20 - 10:50 a.m. Discussion of CFTC Investor Behavior Survey Results 10:50 - 11:20 a.m. Discussion of Background Checks as … Continue reading Meeting of the Securities and Exchange Commission Investor Advisory Committee →