FINRA Unscripted

The new Complex Investigations and Intelligence (CII) team and Cyber and Analytics Unit (CAU) are driving a shift in terms of how Member Supervision’s National Cause and Financial Crimes Detection Program comes at its work and leverages intelligence and analytics to drive decision making and operations. 

On this episode, we hear from Omer Meisel, Vice President of CII, and Brita Bayatmakou, Senior Director of CAU, about how these changes will help FINRA better deliver on its mission of investor protection, market integrity.

Conferences and Events

Episode 86: FINRA’s Financial Intelligence Unit
Episode 72: Overlapping Risks, Part 2: AML and Elder Exploitation

FBI Cyber Threat Briefing Series

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The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted many facets of American life but did not derail a trend toward increasing financial capability. Still, not all Americans are benefiting equally from improvements in financial wellbeing, according to the new FINRA Foundation Financial Capability Study. 

On this episode, Gerri Walsh and Gary Mottola of the FINRA Foundation join us to delve into the latest results of this nationwide, triennial study and their implications for the financial industry, researchers, policymakers and more.

Resources mentioned in this episode:

2021 National Financial Capability Study

FINRA Foundation

Financial Literacy Quiz

Episode 38: 2018 Financial Capability Study, Part I: Does a Rising Tide Lift All Boats?

Episode 39: Financial Capability Study, Part II: Tracking Shifting Currents of Financial Well-Being

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This episode originally aired in November 2021.

Transparency plays a central role in promoting the fairness and efficiency of U.S. markets, lowering transaction costs, leveling the playing field and enhancing public trust in our markets. And the data market transparency provides serves as the lifeblood of FINRA's surveillance program.

On this episode, we hear the Market Regulation and Transparency Services’ Jon Kroeper, executive vice president of the Quality of Markets Group, and Ola Persson, senior vice president and head of Transparency Services, about FINRA's historical commitment to market transparency and how it has impacted FINRA's regulatory regime.

Resources mentioned in this episode:

Trade Reporting and Compliance Engine (TRACE)

TRACE at 20 - Reflecting on Advances in Transparency and Fixed Income

Consolidated Audit Trail (CAT)

Regulatory Notice 20-43

Advancing Market Regulation and Transparency

Episode 13: How the Cloud and Machine Learning Have Transformed FINRA Market Surveillance 

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June 30th marks the second anniversary of the implementation of Regulation Best Interest and Form CRS and we are celebrating with a deep dive into everything FINRA has learned on the topic over the last two years. 

On this episode, Meredith Cordisco, associate general counsel with the Office of General Counsel, Scott Gilbert, vice president covering the large diversified firm group and alternative net capital group within Member Supervision, and Nicole McCafferty, senior director with the National Cause and Financial Crimes Detection Program, join us to talk about how FINRA is examining around the new regulations and explore some of the common problem areas and effective practices when it comes to complying with all that is now required.

How are we doing? Take the FINRA Unscripted survey today. 

Resources mentioned in this episode:

SEC Reg BI Resource Page

FINRA Reg BI Resource Page

Episode 63: Implementing a New Standard of Care

Episode 45: Preparing for a New Standard of Care

Episode 69: Excessive Trading: When A Lot Becomes Too Much

2022 Report on FINRA’s Exam and Risk Monitoring Program: Reg BI and Form CRS

March 2022 SEC Staff Bulletin

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Juneteenth is a day to celebrate, but it's also a day to reflect upon the hardships that African Americans endured and the forces that continue to undermine the freedoms of Black Americans. One of the places that these forces are most clear is in the U.S. financial system, in which Black Americans and other people of color have been historically underrepresented. 

On this episode, we invite you to join us in this reflection as we hear from FINRA’s Vice President of Talent Acquisition and Chief Diversity Officer Audria Lee and from Ritta McLaughlin, Director of Community Outreach, about how FINRA has been working to build equitable solutions and a better future within our organization, our communities and the financial industry. 

How are we doing? Take the FINRA Unscripted survey today. 

Resources mentioned in this episode:

2021 Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Report

Dissertation Completion Fellowship Program

Board of Governor’s Diversity Statement

Racial Justice Task Force

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Money laundering looks different in the securities industry and that poses its own challenges. But add to that a landscape of constantly evolving threats and it is a lot to keep up with. 

On this episode, Jason Foye, Senior Director of the National Cause and Finance Crimes Detection Program’s Special Investigative Unit joins us once again to tell us about the latest trends, emerging threats and how firms can ensure their AML program remains strong and effective. 

How are we doing? Take the FINRA Unscripted survey today. 

Resources mentioned in this episode:

Episode 33: Beyond Hollywood: Money Laundering in the Securities Industry

Episode 34: Beyond Hollywood, Part II: AML Priorities and Best Practices

Episode 71: Overlapping Risks, Part 1: Anti-Money Laundering and Cybersecurity

Episode 72: Overlapping Risks, Part 2: Anti-Money Laundering and Elder Exploitation

Episode 86: FINRA’s Financial Intelligence Unit: Connecting the Dots

2022 Report on FINRA’s Exam and Risk Monitoring Program: Cybersecurity

2022 Report on FINRA’s Exam and Risk Monitoring Program: AML

Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) Priorities

FinCEN Alert: Potential Russian Sanctions Evasion Attempts

SEC Staff Bulletin: Risks Associated with Omnibus Accounts Transacting in Low-Priced Securities

Regulatory Notice 20-32: Fraudulent Options Trading in Connection with Potential Account Takeovers and New Account Fraud

Regulatory Notice 22-06: U.S. Imposes Sanctions on Russian Entities and Individuals

Regulatory Notice 21-18: Practices Firms Use to Protect Customers From Online Account Takeover Attempts

FINRA Key Topics: Cybersecurity

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The FINRA Annual Conference is happening now, in-person in Washington, DC, and virtually. The event is packed full of panels with information on all the latest compliance trends and emerging regulatory issues. 

On today's episode, we're taking you behind the scenes of the opening plenary session, a conversation between FINRA President and CEO Robert Cook and the outgoing chair of the FINRA Board of Governors, Eileen Murray. 

How are we doing? Take the FINRA Unscripted survey today.

Resources mentioned in this episode:

2023 FINRA Annual Conference

Episode 36: Digital Experience Transformation

Episode 98: Deep Learning: The Future of the Market Manipulation Surveillance Program

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Every year, millions of seniors become victims of financial exploitation, resulting in billions of dollars in losses. That's just one reason why the protection of these investors is a top priority for FINRA. 

On this episode, we hear from FINRA’s Office of General Counsel’s Jeanette Wingler and Jim Wrona about how FINRA Rules 4512 and 2165, the first uniform national senior investor protection standards, can help broker-dealer firms and representatives protect their senior and other vulnerable adult customers. 

How are we doing? Take the FINRA Unscripted survey today. 

Resources mentioned in this episode:

Rule 2165

Rule 4512

Episode 16: How FINRA Rules Get Made (and Reviewed)

Securities Helpline for Seniors®

FINRA Foundation

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Member Supervision's 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. Now, the program is undergoing a transformation. 

On this episode, we hear from Cindy Foster, the new head of MAP, to hear how the group is working to develop a more streamlined process to help firms and prospective firms work through the New Membership and Continuing Membership Application processes more efficiently. 

How are we doing? Take the FINRA Unscripted survey today. 

Resources mentioned in this episode:

Information Notice: MAP Transformation

Broker-Dealer Registration

FINRA Standards for Admission

Phone: 212-858-4000, option five

Email: [email protected]

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This episode originally aired in November 2021. 

For service members, a missed credit card payment might do more than just ding their credit report, it could also jeopardize a hard-fought promotion. And for their spouses, move after move might be more than just a financial or logistical hardship; it might also be the biggest hurdle in their own career growth. These challenges are two sides of the same coin. The FINRA Foundation Military Spouse Fellowship Program is just one program that is aiming to address both sides. 

On this episode, we sit down with FINRA Military Spouse Fellows Heather Baker, Shay Cook and Andia Dinesen to learn more.

How are we doing? Take the FINRA Unscripted survey today. 

Resources mentioned in this episode:

AFCPE FINRA Foundation Military Spouse Fellowship

Find an AFCPE Certified Professional

Yellow Ribbon Network/Coordinated Assistance Network

Military OneSource

Coast Guard Support

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