Episodes
On this episode, we hear from members of both the Vulnerable Adults and Seniors Intake and Investigations teams to hear how the groups work with individual investors, firms, states and other regulators to prevent and detect financial exploitation of senior and other vulnerable investors.
Published 04/30/24
Published 04/30/24
On May 28th, U.S. markets are moving to a one-day settlement cycle, familiarly known as T+1. On this episode, we hear from four individuals across FINRA about what all market participants need to be thinking about and testing ahead of the transition.
Published 04/16/24
These days, it's not a matter of if, but when, when it comes to cybersecurity incidents, which is why it's essential for all firms to ensure they're prepared for the inevitable. On this episode, we're catching up with two members of FINRA's Complex Investigations and Intelligence Team for an update on the cyber threat landscape and what firms should be thinking about and doing in response to the latest trends.
Published 04/02/24
Recently, FINRA's Market Regulation and Transparency Services (MRTS) team realigned its structure around specific functions, rather than around specific rules or products. On this episode, we hear from three of the group's senior leaders to learn how the change allows MRTS to be more nimble in addressing and anticipating risks, to better leverage its data and more.
Published 03/19/24
While Generative AI and large language models present numerous opportunities to create business efficiencies and offer many potential benefits to firms, regulators and investors, they also introduce unique risks. On this episode, we hear from three experts at FINRA who are closely looking at these technologies and following developments in this space.
Published 03/05/24
On this episode, we dig into a new report from the FINRA Investor Education Foundation, Investors of Color in the United States, that highlights interesting trends related to the pace at which Black/African American, Hispanic/Latino and Asian American/Pacific Islander investors are entering the market, their views on risk, where they're receiving information and more.
Published 02/20/24
FINRA Enforcement works tirelessly on the front lines of investor protection, and this tremendous undertaking demands steadfast leadership. On this episode of FINRA Unscripted, we meet Bill St. Louis, FINRA's new Executive Vice President and Head of Enforcement, to learn more about what's on the horizon for Enforcement in the new year.
Published 02/06/24
On this episode, we delve into the results of FINRA's targeted review of certain member firms and their communications to retail investors regarding crypto products and services.
Published 01/23/24
As a self-regulatory organization, information sharing is key to FINRA's pursuit of its mission of investor protection and market integrity, and no single resource is a better example of that than FINRA's Annual Regulatory Oversight Report. On this episode, we hear from four leaders within FINRA's Member Supervision department to discuss highlights from the 2024 report.
Published 01/09/24
Succession planning is important not just for customers and representatives but can even be a matter of life or death when it comes to the continued existence of a firm. On this episode, we hear how and why firms should plan for the expected and unexpected in life.
Published 11/28/23
The small firm community, those firms with 150 or fewer registered financial professionals came together in October to discuss and engage on key areas of concern at the Small Firm Conference. On this episode, we go behind the scenes of this year's event to share with you the fireside chat between FINRA CEO Robert Cook and FINRA's Head of Member Relations, Kayte Toczylowski.
Published 11/16/23
In a recent nationally representative survey, more than 1,000 adults shared what worries them most in their lives. On this episode, we sit down with the head of the FINRA Investor Education Foundation to discuss the recent survey and its findings, while also providing tips and resources to help make money a little less spooky.
Published 10/31/23
The 2023 FINRA Foundation Ketchum Prize recipient has dedicated his life to understanding what makes someone susceptible to fraud—and pioneering ways to fight it. On this episode, we hear from Dr. Doug Shadel to hear about his research and years of working as one of America's most active fraud fighters.
Published 10/17/23
FINRA oversees a diverse set of broker-dealer firms that make up a vibrant securities industry. Every registered firm at one time or another must engage with FINRA's Membership Application Program, or MAP. In this episode, we learn more about MAP and some of the recent and ongoing enhancements to the program.
Published 10/03/23
In this third and final episode in our series covering FINRA's ongoing crypto asset regulatory work, we hear from FINRA's Blockchain Lab, which serves as a central point within FINRA for the development of blockchain-related regulatory initiatives to learn about how the Lab is supporting and advancing FINRA's regulatory work involving crypto assets.
Published 09/19/23
In this second episode of a three-part series covering FINRA's crypto asset-related regulatory work, we hear from FINRA's Crypto Asset Investigations Team. This dedicated group of investigators specialize in conducting complex crypto asset investigations and share more about the crucial role it plays in ensuring compliance with existing rules and regulations in the crypto asset space.
Published 09/05/23
In 2022, FINRA developed an enterprise-wide strategy to ensure it is prepared for an evolving crypto asset regulatory landscape and created the Crypto Hub, the Blockchain Lab and the Crypto Asset Investigations Team. On this episode, the first in a three-part series, we learn more about the strategy and the role of the Hub.
Published 08/08/23
An efficient capital raising process fosters business expansion, job creation and economic growth. Currently, FINRA’s soliciting comments on the impact FINRA's Rules have on the capital formation process, as it looks for ways to increase efficiency and reduce unnecessary burdens. On this episode, we'll dig more into this process and FINRA's recent Request for Comment.
Published 07/25/23
Gen Z is beginning to invest younger than any generation before them. On this episode, we take a deep dive into a new study by the FINRA Foundation and CFA Institute looking at the attitudes and behaviors of Gen Z investors, including the role of crypto as an onramp, the use of social media and more.
Published 07/11/23
In recent years, FINRA created the first uniform National Senior Investor Protection Standards. On this episode, we hear an update on where those senior investor protection rules stand today, explore some of the real-world scenarios in their application and provide tips for some of the tricky conversations that financial professionals might face in connection to their application.
Published 06/27/23
FINRA's Examination team carries out a core function of FINRA's business by examining every member firm at least every four years and as often as annually, depending on the risk profile of each individual firm. On this episode, leaders from FINRA's Exam program join us for a deep dive into how the program works and what firms can expect during routine firm exams.
Published 06/13/23
Each year, FINRA hosts its Annual Conference in Washington, D.C. packed full of panels with information on all the latest compliance trends and emerging regulatory issues. On this episode, we're taking you behind the scenes of this year's Annual Conference to listen in on a conversation between FINRA President and CEO Robert Cook and the Chair of the FINRA Board of Governors, Eric Noll.
Published 05/30/23
Litigation economics is not something they teach in most schools, but when it comes to unique or first of their kind enforcement matters, it's an important skill to have. On this episode, we hear how FINRA's Enforcement team has been partnering up with the Office of Regulatory Economics and Market Analysis to ensure better case outcomes.
Published 05/16/23
In recent months, FINRA has published two Regulatory Notices regarding the fraudulent transfer of customer accounts using an automated system called ACATS. On this episode, we'll hear all about what goes into the creation of a Reg Notice and take a deep dive on this particular issue.
Published 05/02/23