Podcasts: FINRA Unscripted

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

In March, FINRA hosted the Senior Investor Protection Conference, a one-day event dedicated to sharing the most up-to-date regulatory information, effective strategies and solutions for protecting senior and other vulnerable investors from exploitation. On this episode, we're taking an abridged look at one of the conference sessions on the various trends, scams and schemes currently impacting investors.

FINRA's Risk Monitoring team is responsible for assessing financial, operational and business conduct risks that exist within individual member firms and across the industry. But they're also the day-to-day point of contact for firms for any questions they may have for FINRA. On this episode, we hear how they spot and track risks across similar firms.