FINRA Unscripted

Using Data to Stay Ahead of Risk: Introducing FINRA’s StratIntel Team Feb 11, 2025

As the financial industry continues to evolve, it's important to stay ahead of emerging risks and trends. On this episode of FINRA Unscripted, the leaders of FINRA's new Strategic Intelligence and Analytics (StratIntel) team discuss how they are working to identify and analyze these industry developments.

On this episode, we sit down with the leaders of the StratIntel team: Senior Vice President of Data and Analytics for Member Supervision Jim Reese, and his two Vice Presidents, Brita Bayatmakou and Clint Johnson. The three share insights on how this new team is evolving FINRA's approach to intelligence gathering and risk monitoring, and the innovative ways they are using data and analytics to support FINRA's mission of investor protection and market integrity.

Resources mentioned in this episode:

2025 Regulatory Oversight Report

3110. Supervision

Episode 168: Investing Wisely in 2025: Avoiding Scams and Achieving Your Financial Goals

Episode 169: Unpacking FINRA’s 2025 Regulatory Oversight Report

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Unpacking the 2025 FINRA Annual Regulatory Oversight Report Jan 28, 2025

As a self-regulatory organization, information sharing is key to FINRA's pursuit of its mission of investor protection and market integrity. The 2025 FINRA Regulatory Oversight Report provides just that: Critical insights to help firms strengthen their compliance and protect investors.

On this episode, hosted by Member Relations and Education Vice President Kayte Toczylowski, FINRA’s regulatory leaders— Executive Vice President and Head of Member Supervision Greg Ruppert, Executive Vice President and Head of Market Regulation and Transparency Services Stephanie Dumont, and Executive Vice President and Head of Enforcement Bill St. Louis—join us to dive into the report’s takeaways and insights for member firms.

Resources mentioned in this episode:

2025 Regulatory Oversight Report

SEC Regulation Best Interest (Reg BI)

5310. Best Execution and Interpositioning

Reg Notice 20-31: FINRA Reminds Firms of Their Supervisory Responsibilities Relating to CAT

Investor Insights: Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Investment Fraud

Episode 168: Investing Wisely in 2025: Avoiding Scams and Achieving Your Financial Goals

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Investing Wisely in 2025: Avoiding Scams and Achieving Your Financial Goals Jan 07, 2025

Many of us view January as a time to make a fresh start, and as a time to bid farewell to bad habits. In thinking about your New Year's resolutions, have you considered whether you're making financially healthy decisions?

On this episode, we sit down with Gerri Walsh, President of the FINRA Investor Education Foundation and Senior Vice President of Investor Education, to uncover the trends and tips investors need to get their finances in order for 2025.

Resources mentioned in this episode:

FINRA Investor Education Foundation

Protecting Consumers from Fraud

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Unlocking Transparency: Navigating FINRA’s Market Data Offerings Dec 10, 2024

Behind every market transaction lies a wealth of data. But how can we harness this information?

On this episode, we sit down with two members of the Market Regulation and Transparency Services team, Senior Vice President of Strategic Regulatory Engagement Alex Ellenberg, and Senior Director of Transparency Services Equities Brendan Loonam. They join us to discuss periodic aggregate market data sets, including some new data recently added to FINRA's website, and how FINRA makes this information available to the public in support of its mission of investor protection and market integrity.

Resources mentioned in this episode:

FINRA Data
OTC Transparency Data
NMS Equity and Option Order Routing Reports (SEC Rule 606(a) Reports)
About NMS Equity and Options Routing Reports (SEC 606(a) Reports)
OTC (ATS & Non-ATS) Transparency
Reg Notice 23-10: FINRA Requests Comment on a Proposal to Require Members to Provide Rule 605 Order Execution Quality Reports to FINRA for Centralized Publication
Episode 149: MRTS 2.0: A Redesign for a Rapidly Evolving Market

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Encore | An Introduction to FINRA’s Crypto Asset Work and the Crypto Hub Nov 26, 2024

This episode originally aired in August 2023.

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 sit down with Omer Meisel, Senior Vice President of the Complex Investigations and Intelligence Group, Jason Foye, Senior Director and Head of FINRA's Crypto Hub, and Reema Abdelhamid, a Director with FINRA Enforcement to learn more about the strategy and the role of the Hub and FINRA’s work to advance its mission of investor protection and market integrity.

Resources mentioned in this episode:

FINRA Blog: An Inside Look into FINRA’s Crypto Asset Work

Episode 112: FINRA's Complex Investigations and Intelligence Team & Cyber and Analytics Unit

Episode 138: FINRA’s Blockchain Lab: Regulation and Innovation For The Future

Episode 145: Compliance and Communication: An Update on FINRA’s Crypto Asset Targeted Exam

Episode 158: An Update on FINRA’s Crypto Asset Work and the Crypto Hub

Episode 162: When Romance Leads to a Crypto Scam

Investor Insights: What Is a Blockchain, and Why Should I Care?

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Special Investigations Unit: Combating Money Laundering and Fraud in the Securities Industry Nov 12, 2024

In the securities world today, there is little daylight between money laundering and fraud. As these two spaces have come to increasingly overlap, FINRA created the Special Investigations Unit, or SIU, to detect and investigate cases illicit finance, market abuse and other fraud.

On this episode, we sit down with SIU Senior Director Gargi Sharma, and three investigative directors from her team: Kayla Le, Peter Gonzalez and David Byrne. They join us to share how they work to proactively identify and mitigate threats related to money laundering and other frauds.

Resources mentioned in this episode:

Reg Notice 21-14: FINRA Alerts Firms to Increase in ACH Instant Funds Abuse

Reg Notice 22-25: Heightened Threat of Fraud

Reg Notice 23-06: Effective Practices to Address Risks of Fraudulent Transfers

2023 Report on FINRA’s Examination and Risk Monitoring Program

2024 FINRA Annual Regulatory Oversight Report

Investor Insight: Ramp-and-Dump Scams

Investor Insight: Investment Group Imposter Scams

Episode 33: AML in the Securities Industry

Episode 129: Detecting and Preventing ACATS Fraud

Episode 154: FINRA’s High-Risk Representative Program

Episode 157: An Update on FINRA’s Financial Intelligence Unit

Episode 161: FINRA CEO Robert Cook on Disrupting the Cycle of Financial Fraud

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The Forgotten Generation: Shining a Spotlight on Gen X’s Financial Health Oct 29, 2024

Gen X is often called the Forgotten Generation given how often they’re overlooked in favor of conversation around boomers, millennials or now even Gen Z. But not today.

On this episode, Gen X is the one in the spotlight as we sit down Gary Mottola, research director with the FINRA Foundation, Ritta McLaughlin, director of community outreach with FINRA’s Investor Education team, and Jeremy Ko, the 2024 FINRA Foundation Ketchum Visiting Scholar, to dig into the financial health of those born between 1965 and 1980 and, importantly, their perception of their own financial well-being.

Resources mentioned in this episode:

How Gen X Compares Financially to Other Generations: Doing Alright but Feeling Bad

FINRA Foundation National Financial Capability Study

Episode 19: Debunked: 7 Myths about Millennials—the Underinvested Generation

Episode 22: Millennials and Money: How to Get Started on the Road to Investing

Episode 134: Gen Z Investors: A Look at the Attitudes and Behaviors of the Youngest Investors

[KK1]Need link

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The Latest Research: Why Do Targets Engage with Scams? Oct 15, 2024

Why do we engage with scammers? What makes one person more likely to engage than the next? Of those that engage, what makes someone more likely to lose money? These are important questions to ask – and find the answers to – both as consumers and as an industry with an interest in disrupting the cycle of financial fraud.

On this episode, we hear from moderator Emma Fletcher, a senior data researcher with the FTC, and panelists Marti DeLiema, Assistant Research Professor at the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities, Duygu Başaran Şahin, a postdoctoral research fellow at the RAND Center for the Study of Aging, and Gary Mottola, research director for the FINRA Foundation, about the latest research into these important questions and learn more about what might stop someone from engaging with a fraud to begin with.

Resources mentioned in this episode:

Exposed to Scams: What Separates Victims from Non-Victims

Does One Size Fit All? An Examination of Risk Factors by Scam Type

Fraud Victimization Across the Lifespan: Evidence on Repeat Victimization Using Perpetrator Data

Addressing the Problem of Chronic Fraud Victimization

Vulnerability of Older Adults to Government Impersonation Scams

A Review of Scam Prevention Messaging Research

Protecting Retail Customers from Gift Card Payment Scams

FINRA Foundation Research Center

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The Victim Experience: When Romance Leads to a Crypto Scam Oct 01, 2024

The number of highly sophisticated crypto scams is growing, with Americans losing an estimated $5.6 billion to crypto-related scams in 2023, according to the FBI, a 45 percent jump from the prior year. And often crypto fraud is tied in with romance scams, with criminals targeting victims through texts, dating sites, social media, networking channels or other apps. While we all like to think we would be immune to such scams, research has shown time and again that everyone is vulnerable, even the most highly educated among us.

On this episode, we hear the firsthand accounts of Jules and Brian, two victims of romance crypto scams, who recently spoke at a FINRA Foundation conference on disrupting the cycle of financial fraud. They sat down with Kim Casci-Palangio, program manager of the Cybercrime Support Network (CSN), to share their experiences, the financial, mental and emotional toll they took, and their efforts to recover from their loss. This audio was edited to remove personally identifying information about our victims.

Resources mentioned in this episode:

Cybercrime Support Network

Romance Scam Recovery Group

FINRA Foundation

FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3)

Non-Traditional Costs of Financial Fraud

Investor Alert: Relationship Investment Scams

‘Pig Butchering’ Scams: What They Are and How to Avoid Them

Crypto Investment Scams Infographic

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Disrupting the Cycle of Financial Fraud Through Collaboration and Innovation Sep 17, 2024

Last week, FINRA CEO Robert Cook spoke to an audience of regulators, academics, law enforcement agencies, advocacy groups and financial firms at a conference hosted by the FINRA Foundation to underscore the importance of working together to disrupt the cycle of fraud.

He highlighted specific areas for further coordination and announced that FINRA will reach out operators of existing regulatory databases to explore ways to create a one-stop shop resource for investor research. On this episode, we tune in to his remarks.

Resources mentioned in this episode:

Full Text of Speech As Prepared for Delivery

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FINRA’s Examination Program: Optimizing for the Future Sep 03, 2024

FINRA’s Examinations team carries out one of FINRA’s core functions in the examination of FINRA member firms. In an effort to continuously improve the program, the team has undertaken changes to create efficiencies before, during and after the exam process.

On this episode, Michael Solomon, executive vice president of Examinations and the Membership Application Program, Tom Mellett and John Martino, both vice president of Firm Group Examinations, join us to detail some of the recent changes, including the introduction of thematic reviews, changes to the post-exam closeout process and more.

Resources mentioned in this episode:

Episode 132: The Ins and Outs of FINRA’s Annual Program

2024 Regulatory Oversight Report

Targeted (Sweep) Exam Letters

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FINRA’s Membership Application Program: Safeguarding the Integrity of the Markets Aug 06, 2024

FINRA’s Membership Application Program (MAP) team serves as the first point of contact for firms looking to enter the broker-dealer industry. It works both to protect investors by ensuring would-be member firms meet FINRA standards of admission, and to help new and existing firms grow and evolve, ensuring a vibrant market for all.

On this episode, Cindy Foster, Vice President of MAP, joins us to share more about FINRA standards of admission and how the group works to ensure a smooth process for both current and prospective member firms.

Resources mentioned in this episode:

Member Application Rules

Broker-Dealer Registration

FINRA Standards for Admission

Episode 117: Reviewing and Approving Digital Asset Firms

MAP Tools and Videos

MAP FAQs

Checklist for Mandatory Materiality Consultation

Residential Supervisory Locations (RSL) FAQs

Phone: 212-858-4000, option five

Email: MAPintake@finra.org

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An Update on FINRA’s Crypto Asset Work and the Crypto Hub Jul 23, 2024

Last summer, we introduced listeners to FINRA’ Crypto Hub and enterprise-wide strategy for keeping up with the evolving crypto asset regulatory landscape. A year later, this remains an important area of focus for investors, the industry and FINRA.

On this episode, Jamie Udinson, senior director of the Cyber and Analytics Unit, Michael Yuan, a director with FINRA’s Risk Monitoring program, and Jason Stralka, an examination manager with the Exam program, join us to provide an update on FINRA’s crypto asset work, to dig into the results of a recent survey of member firms regarding their crypto-asset touchpoints, to tell us about the new spot Bitcoin ETP market and more.

Resources mentioned in this episode:

2024 Regulatory Oversight Report: Crypt Asset Developments

Crypto Assets Key Topic Page

Episode 136: An Introduction to FINRA’s Crypto Asset Work and the Crypto Hub

Episode 137: The Crucial Role of FINRA’s CAI Team

Episode 138: FINRA’s Blockchain Lab

Episode 145: An Update on FINRA’s Crypt Asset Targeted Exam

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Financial Intelligence Unit: Connecting the Industry with Actionable Information Jul 09, 2024

FINRA's Financial Intelligence Unit acts as a nerve center for information on emerging threats impacting the financial industry with the aim of providing actionable intelligence to firms, other regulators and law-enforcement to keep investors safe.

On this episode, Blake Snyder, senior director of FIU, joins us to share how the group has grown and matured over the last few years and how they are evolving the way they share information, including through the introduction of the new Threat Intelligence Products, or TIPs.

Resources mentioned in this episode:

Episode 33: AML in the Securities Industry

Episode 86: Introducing FIU

TIP: Protecting Vulnerable Adult and Senior Investors

Investor Insight: Pig Butchering Scams

Investor Insight: Ramp-and-Dump Scams

Regulatory Notice 22-25

National Cyber-Forensics and Training Alliance (NCFTA)

Infraguard

FIU@finra.org

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Finfluencers: New Marketing Strategies Meet Existing Compliance Obligations Jun 25, 2024

Financial social media influencers—or finfluencers—are growing in popularity as a cheap way to reach a new generation of investors. But using these individuals to promote a firm its products or services comes with risks, as revealed by the results of a recent targeted review of FINRA member firm practices in the space.

On this episode, Ira Gluck, senior director of Advertising Regulation, and Melissa Turitz, a director with FINRA Enforcement, dig into the results of the finfluencer target review, the risks and regulatory requirements around this newer form of advertising and share some best practices for firms looking to make use of social media influencer programs.

Resources mentioned in this episode:

Reg Notice 17-18: Guidance on Social Media and Business Communications

February 2023 Finfluencer Sweep Update

Rule 2210 – Communications with the Public

Press release – March Finfluencer Enforcement Action

April Finfluencer Letter of Acceptance, Waiver and Consent (AWC)

Gen Z and Investing: Social Media, Crypto, FOMO and Family (Research Report)

Episode 134: A Look at the Attitudes and Behaviors of the Youngest Investors

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Amendments to FINRA Rule 4210: Covered Agency Transactions Jun 11, 2024

In late May, certain amendments to FINRA's margin rule, Rule 4210, went into effect to address a significant source of potential systemic risk and risk to FINRA member firms. The amendments introduced specific margin requirements related to covered agency transactions.

On this episode, we talk to David Aman, senior advisor, and James Barry, director of Credit Regulation, both with FINRA's Office of Financial and Operational Risk Policy, and with Michael MacPherson, a senior advisor with Member Supervision’s Risk Monitoring team, to learn more about the purpose of the rule, which firms might be impacted by the change and what those firms need to think about to ensure compliance with the amended rule.

Resources mentioned in this episode:

Contact: coveredagencymargin@finra.org

Key Topics: Margin

FAQs Regarding Covered Agency Transaction Margin under FINRA Rule 4210

Reg Notice 23-14: Amendments to Covered Agency Transaction Requirements Under FINRA Rule 4210

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FINRA’s High-Risk Representative Program: Keeping an Eye on Individuals Posing a Heightened Risk of Misconduct May 28, 2024

Protecting investors from harm is a top FINRA priority. And when it comes to specific individuals who may pose a risk, FINRA's High Risk Representative (HRR) Program is on the case.

On this episode, Brooks Brown, Senior Director, and Eric Hebert and John Salerno, Investigative Directors, from the HRR unit join us to explain how they identify and monitor individuals who pose an elevated risk of misconduct to protect investors and maintain the integrity of the market.

Resources mentioned in this episode:

Episode 114: Bringing Cases Against Individual Brokers

Episode 150: A Cybersecurity Update with FINRA’s Complex Investigations and Intelligence Team (CII)

Key Topic: Protecting Investors from Misconduct

Virtual Conference Panel: Supervision of High-Risk Activities

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Insider Trading Detection: FINRA’s Vital Role in Ensuring Market Integrity May 14, 2024

Every day, FINRA's Insider Trading Detection Program uses sophisticated technology and analytics to monitor 100% of trading in stocks, options and bonds for potentially suspicious activity around material news events, resulting in hundreds of referrals to the SEC and law enforcement every year.

On this episode, we hear from Sam Draddy, a Senior Vice President of the Market Abuse Unit within FINRA's Market Regulation and Transparency Services, and Karen Braine, Vice President of the Insider Trading Detection Program, about how they connect trading data, information from public sources and from companies and FINRA firms to pull together actionable intelligence.

Resources mentioned in this episode:

Episode 23: Insider Trading: Finding the Needle in the Haystack

Blog: FINRA Plays a Vital Role in Exposing Insider Trading

SEC Litigation Release: Sean R. Steward et al.

SEC Litigation Release: Andreas Bechtolsheim

SEC Litigation Release: Joseph C. Lewis et al.

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Fighting Financial Exploitation: FINRA’s Vulnerable Adults and Seniors Team Apr 30, 2024

Senior investor protection has long been a priority for FINRA, and the Vulnerable Adults and Seniors Team (VAST) is at the forefront of FINRA's efforts in this space.

On this episode, we hear from Brooke Hickman, Director of the Vulnerable Adults and Seniors Investigative Team, Mike Paskin, a manager with VAST Investigations, and Liz Yoka, a manager of the VAST Intake team, 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.

Resources mentioned in this episode:

2024 Annual Regulatory Oversight Report

Episode 72: Anti-Money Laundering and Elder Exploitation

Episode 128: The 2023 Senior Investor Protection Conference

Episode 105: The Essential Senior Investor Protection Tools: FINRA Rules 2165 and 4512

FINRA Securities Helpline for Seniors – 844-57-HELPS (844-574-3577)

FINRA Key Topic Page: Senior Investors

FAQ Regarding FINRA’s Rules Relating to Financial Exploitation of Seniors

Trusted Contact Infographic

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Preparing for Change: What to Know About the Shift to T+1 Apr 16, 2024

On May 28th, U.S. markets are moving to a one-day settlement cycle, familiarly known as T+1. This move, which returns the settlement time frame back to a point at which it last stood a century ago, will have wide ranging impacts for firms, investors and regulators.

On this episode, we hear from James Barry, Director of Credit Regulation with FINRA's Office of Financial and Operational Risk Policy, Bobby Gomez, a Senior Director with Market Regulation and Transparency Services' Strategic Initiatives team, Mike MacPherson, a Senior Advisor in Member Supervision's Risk Monitoring group, and John Nachmann, Associate General Counsel with the Office of General Counsel's Regulatory Practice, to discuss what all market participants need to be thinking about and testing ahead of the transition.

Resources mentioned in this episode:

Episode 127: Understanding the Unique Risks of Every Firm

DTCC: The Key to T+1 Success Blog

Reg Notice 23-15: Regulation T and SEA Rule 15c3-3 Extension

Technical Notice: T+1 Settlement Testing

FINRA Margin Regulation

FINRA Investor Insight: Understanding Settlement Cycles

2024 Annual Regulatory Oversight Report

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A Cybersecurity Update with FINRA's Complex Investigations and Intelligence Team Apr 02, 2024

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 Bryan Smith, the new senior vice president of FINRA’s Complex Investigations and Intelligence (CII) team and Brita Bayatmakou, vice president of the Cyber and Analytics Unit within CII, for an update on CII, the cyber threat landscape and what firms should be thinking about and doing in response to the latest trends.

Resources mentioned in this episode:

FINRA's FBI Cyber Threat Briefings (Next Briefing: April 22)

Episode 112: Introducing FINRA’s Complex Investigations and Intelligence Team

CISA Alerts and Advisories

FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center: Industry Alerts

Reg Notice 21-29: Obligations Related to Outsourcing to Third-Party Vendors

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MRTS 2.0: A Redesign for a Rapidly Evolving Market Mar 19, 2024

U.S. financial markets today are not what they were ten years ago, five years ago, or even just a couple of years ago. Over the years, FINRA's Market Regulation and Transparency Services (MRTS) team successfully grew and evolved to meet the changing demands of the markets they oversaw. But recently, the group took time to ask, how would we build this team if we were starting from scratch? And the answer to that question involved redesigning the group structure around specific functions, rather than around specific rules or products.

On this episode, we hear from Feral Talib, Executive Vice President of Surveillance and Market Intelligence, Jackie Perrell, a Senior Vice President and Chief of Staff for MRTS, and Steve Price, Senior Vice President of Market Investigations to learn how the MRTS team has realigned itself, allowing it to be more nimble in addressing and anticipating risks, to better leverage its data and more.

Resources mentioned in this episode:

2024 FINRA Annual Regulatory Oversight Report

Feral Talib Named Executive Vice President and Head of Surveillance & Market Intelligence

Episode 60: Greg Ruppert and the National Cause and Financial Crimes Detection Programs

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An Evolving Landscape: Generative AI and Large Language Models in the Financial Industry Mar 05, 2024

Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) and large language models (LLM) are taking the world by storm, presenting numerous opportunities to create business efficiencies. While the new technologies offer many potential benefits to firms, regulators and investors, they also introduce unique risks.

On this episode, we hear from Brad Ahrens, senior vice president of Advanced Analytics, Andrew McElduff, vice president with Member Supervision's Risk Monitoring team and Haime Workie, vice president and head of FINRA's Office of Financial Innovation, who are closely looking at these technologies and following developments in this space to learn how FINRA is looking at and thinking about generative AI when it comes to its own business and what it's looking at and seeing when it comes to firm use of these tools.

Resources mentioned in this episode:

Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the Securities Industry

Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Investment Fraud

Reg Notice 21-19: Obligations Related to Outsourcing to Third-Party Vendors

Rule 3110: Supervision

2024 FINRA Annual Regulatory Oversight Report

2023 Executive Order on Artificial Intelligence for Congress

NIST: Artificial Intelligence

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Investors of Color: New Insights from FINRA’s Investor Education Foundation Feb 20, 2024

The FINRA Investor Education Foundation has released a new report, Investors of Color in the United States, examining the behavior and attitudes of investors of color based on data from the FINRA Foundation's National Financial Capability Study coupled with a series of focus groups conducted with young Black/African American, Hispanic/Latino and Asian American/Pacific Islander investors.

The report shows interesting trends related to the pace at which these investors are entering the market, their views on risk, where they're receiving information and more. On this episode, we hear more from Ritta McLaughlin, Director of Investor Education, Community Outreach, and Principal Research Analyst Olivia Valdes to learn more.

Resources mentioned in this episode:

Investors of Color in the United States (2024)

Gen Z and Investing: Social Media, Crypto, FOMO, and Family (2023)

Investors in the United States: The Changing Landscape (2022)

New Accounts and the People Who Opened Them (2021)

FINRA Investor Education Foundation

Episode 134: Gen Z Investors

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From NCFC to Enforcement Head: Reintroducing Bill St. Louis Feb 06, 2024

FINRA Enforcement works tirelessly on the front lines of investor protection, whether looking into cases of fraud or ways that bad actors try to manipulate the markets. This tremendous undertaking demands steadfast leadership.

On this episode, we meet Bill St. Louis, the former head of FINRA’s National Cause and Financial Crimes Detection Program and FINRA's new Executive Vice President and Head of Enforcement, to learn more about the man at the helm and what's on the horizon for Enforcement in the new year.

Resources mentioned in this episode:

2024 FINRA Annual Regulatory Oversight Report

FINRA Enforcement Homepage

FINRA Names Bill St. Louis as New Head of Enforcement

FINRA Fines BofA Securities $24 Million for Treasuries Spoofing

FINRA Expels Monmouth Capital Management

Qualification Exams

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Compliance and Communication: An Update on FINRA’s Crypto Asset Targeted Exam Jan 23, 2024

FINRA recently wrapped up a targeted review of the practices of certain member firms when it comes to communicating with retail investors regarding crypto products and services. On this episode, Ira Gluck, Senior Director, Advertising Regulation at FINRA, joins us to share the results of that crypto asset communications sweep that began in November 2022.

Resources mentioned in this episode:

Advertising Regulation Department

Crypto Asset Communications Targeted Exam Letter

Crypto Asset Key Topics

Crypto Sweep Update

FINRA Blog: An Inside Look into FINRA’s Crypto Asset Work

Episode 136: An Introduction to FINRA’s Crypto Asset Work and the Crypto Hub

Episode 137: The Crucial Role of FINRA’s CAI Team

Episode 138: FINRA’s Blockchain Lab

Rule 2210: Communications with the Public

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2024’s Must-Read | FINRA’s Annual Regulatory Oversight Report Jan 09, 2024

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, Ornella Bergeron, Senior Vice President of Risk Monitoring, Omer Meisel, Executive Vice President of the National Cause and Financial Crimes Detection Program, Claire O'Sullivan, Vice President and Regulatory Advisor of Stakeholder Engagement, and Michael Solomon, Senior Vice President of Examinations, join us to discuss highlights from the 2024 report.

Resources mentioned in this episode:

2024 FINRA Annual Regulatory Oversight Report

Reg Notice 23-20: Guidance and Resources Related to Regulation Best Interest

Reg Notice 23-11: Concept Proposal for a Liquidity Risk Management Rule

Reg Notice 21-35: Proposed Order Routing Disclosure Requirements

SEC FAQ on Form CRS

CAT NMS Plan Website

Episode 136: An Introduction to FINRA’s Crypto Asset Work and the Crypto Hub

Episode 137: The Crucial Role of FINRA’s CAI Team

Episode 138: FINRA’s Blockchain Lab

Episode 129: A New Twist on New Account Fraud

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FINRA’s Blockchain Lab: Regulation and Innovation For The Future Sep 19, 2023

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.

Michael Oh, Senior Director of the Blockchain Lab, Brian Huerbsch, a Senior Blockchain Data Analyst, and Jason Foye, Senior Director and head of FINRA's Crypto Hub share how the Lab is supporting and advancing FINRA's regulatory work involving crypto assets.

Resources mentioned in this episode:

Episode 136: An Introduction to FINRA’s Crypto Asset Work and the Crypto Hub

Episode 137: The Crucial Role of FINRA’s CAI Team

Investor Insights: What Is a Blockchain, and Why Should I Care?

FINRA Blog: An Inside Look into FINRA’s Crypto Asset Work

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A Closer Look at Crypto: The Crucial Role of FINRA’s CAI Team Sep 05, 2023

As the crypto asset space has grown, FINRA has evolved its oversight of the crypto asset activities of FINRA member firms and their associated persons. In this second episode of a three-part series covering FINRA's crypto asset-related regulatory work, we hear from Jamie Udinson, Senior Director of the Crypto Asset Investigations team, Taylor Etzell, a Senior Principal Investigator, and Jason Foye, Senior Director and head of FINRA's Crypto Hub, who provide insight into FINRA's Crypto Asset Investigations Team.

We learn more about this dedicated group of investigators specializing in conducting complex crypto asset investigations and the crucial role it plays in ensuring compliance with existing rules and regulations in the crypto asset space.

Resources mentioned in this episode:

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

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

Episode 117: Membership Application Program

Episode 136: An Introduction to FINRA’s Crypto Asset Work and the Crypto Hub

Rule 3270: Outside Business Activities of Registered Persons

Rule 3280: Private Securities Transactions of an Associated Person

FINRA Blog: An Inside Look into FINRA’s Crypto Asset Work

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An Introduction to FINRA’s Crypto Asset Work and the Crypto Hub Aug 08, 2023

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 sit down with Omer Meisel, Senior Vice President of the Complex Investigations and Intelligence Group, Jason Foye, Senior Director and Head of FINRA's Crypto Hub, and Reema Abdelhamid, a Director with FINRA Enforcement to learn more about the strategy and the role of the Hub and FINRA’s work to advance its mission of investor protection and market integrity.

Resources mentioned in this episode:

FINRA Blog: An Inside Look into FINRA’s Crypto Asset Work

SEC’s SPBD December 2020 Statement

SEC’s September 25, 2020 No-Action Letter, “ATS Role in the Settlement of Digital Asset Security Trades”

Crypto Asset Communications Exam Letter – November 2022

FINRA and NFA Joint Press Release

Reg Notice 20-23: Activities Related to Digital Assets

Reg Notice 21-25: Continued Engagement in Activities Related to Digital Assets

Episode 112: FINRA's Complex Investigations and Intelligence Team & Cyber and Analytics Unit

Episode 113: Regulatory Operations: Stronger Regulation Through Integrated Oversight

Episode 117: Membership Application Program

Episode 134: Gen Z Investor Attitudes

FINRA Foundation Report: Gen Z and Investing

Investor Insights: What Is a Blockchain, and Why Should I Care?

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2023’s Must-Read | Report on FINRA’s Examination and Risk Monitoring Program Jan 10, 2023

The best tool FINRA provides when it comes to firms developing their annual compliance program is now available. The 2023 Report on FINRA’s Examination and Risk Monitoring Program provides key insights and observations on two dozen key regulatory topics, making it a must-read for compliance professionals.

On this episode, Ornella Bergeron, Senior Vice President of Risk Monitoring, Michael Solomon, Senior Vice President of Examinations, and Bill St. Louis, Executive Vice President of the National Cause and Financial Crimes Detection Programs (NCFC), join us to dig into some of the new and noteworthy topics in the latest report.

Resources mentioned in this episode:

2023 Report on FINRA’s Examination and Risk Monitoring Program

Episode 112: Introducing FINRA’s Complex Investigations and Intelligence Team and Cyber and Analytics Unit

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

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Introducing FINRA's Complex Investigations and Intelligence team and Cyber and Analytics Unit Aug 09, 2022

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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Financial Capability Study: Financial Wellbeing During a Global Pandemic Jul 26, 2022

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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The Essential Senior Investor Protection Tools: FINRA Rules 2165 and 4512 May 03, 2022

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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Overlapping Risks, Part 2: Anti-Money Laundering and Elder Exploitation Nov 10, 2020

A broker-deal firm’s anti-money laundering efforts may overlap with any number of other regulatory concerns. On the last episode, we looked at the intersection of a firm’s AML and cybersecurity risks. On this episode, the second in a two-part series, we’re looking at how AML may overlap with a firm’s efforts to protect senior investors from exploitation and fraud.

Joining us on this episode are Jason Foye, a director with FINRA's Anti-Money Laundering Investigative Unit, and Brooke Hickman, a director with FINRA's Vulnerable Adults and Seniors Team (VAST), both with FINRA’s National Cause and Financial Crimes Detection Program.

Resources mentioned in this episode:

FinCEN February 2011 Advisory on Filing SARs Regarding Elder Financial Exploitation

SARs on Elder Financial Exploitations: Issues and Trends, CFPB

DOJ’s Elder Justice Initiative

FINRA Resources on Senior Investors

FINRA Securities Helpline for Seniors

FINRA Foundation – Aging and Financial Decision Making

FINRA Investor Alerts

Virtual Conference Panel: Social Distancing and the Impact on Older Investors

Virtual Conference Panel: Financial Crimes, Trends and Responses In the Midst of the Pandemic

Episode 33: Money Laundering in the Securities Industry

Episode 34: AML Priorities and Best Practices

Episode 71: Anti-Money Laundering and Cyber Security

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Overlapping Risks, Part I: Anti-Money Laundering and Cybersecurity Oct 27, 2020

Firm regulatory risks and priorities don't exist in a vacuum. And that is perhaps nowhere clearer than when it comes to a firm's anti-money laundering responsibilities. A firm's AML risks can overlap with any number of other priorities.

On this episode, the first of a two-part series, we're looking at the intersection of a firm's AML and cybersecurity risks. Joining us are Jason Foye, a director with FINRA's Anti-Money Laundering Investigative Unit, and Dave Kelley, a director with FINRA's Cybersecurity Specialist Program, both with FINRA’s National Cause and Financial Crimes Detection Program.

Resources mentioned in this episode:

Episode 60: Introducing Greg Ruppert and the NCFC

Episode 33: Money Laundering in the Securities Industry

Episode 34: AML Priorities and Best Practices

SWIFT: How Cyber Attackers ‘Cash Out’ Following Large-Scale Heists

FinCEN October 2020 Advisory on Ransomware

FinCEN July 2020 Advisory on Cybercrime

FinCEN October 2016 Advisory on Cyber Events

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Regulation Best Interest: Implementing a New Standard of Conduct Jul 07, 2020

As of June 30, 2020, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission’s Regulation Best Interest—or Reg BI—is officially in effect. That means brokerage firms now have to comply with a new standard of conduct when working with retail clients.

On this episode we talk to Meredith Cordisco and Jim Wrona of FINRA’s Office of General Counsel about what a post implementation date world looks like for FINRA member firms and what FINRA has been doing to train staff to ensure a consistent approach to examining around and enforcing the new rule across the organization.

And listen to the end for a special surprise from Jim.

Resources mentioned in this episode:

SEC Reg BI Resource Page

FINRA Reg BI Resource Page

Virtual Conference Panel: Reg BI and Form CRS: Where Are We Now

Virtual Conference Panel: Reg BI: Compliance Inspections and Examinations

Email questions: IABDquestions@sec.gov

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Beyond Hollywood, Part II: AML Priorities and Best Practices May 14, 2019

The world of money laundering is a fast-paced and ever evolving as we learned on the last episode of FINRA Unscripted. That can make it difficult for a financial firm to develop and maintain a robust anti-money laundering program.

But maintaining a strong program is essential, making AML a perennial priority for FINRA’s examination staff. A robust AML program will not only safeguard the investing public and our financial markets, but it will also protect a firm’s reputation.

On this episode of FINRA Unscripted, we are joined once again by Blake Snyder and Jason Foye of FINRA’s AML Investigative Unit to discuss current priorities and best practices when it comes to anti-money laundering regulation.

Resources mentioned in this episode:

FINRA Senior Helpline
2019 FINRA Priorities Letter
FINRA CDD Rule Requirements

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Beyond Hollywood: Money Laundering in the Securities Industry Apr 30, 2019

When three hapless employees inadvertently embezzle a bunch of cash in the movie “Office Space,” they decide the best way to cover it up is to launder it. But the thing is, they don’t even really know what money laundering is and they learned that even the dictionary couldn’t fill them in.

If you want to understand what money laundering is, and more specifically, the efforts brokerage firms must take to prevent and detect it, stay tuned. We have something better than the dictionary: we have Blake Snyder and Jason Foye, two members of FINRA’s Anti-Money Laundering Investigative Unit.

On this episode of FINRA Unscripted, Blake and Jason explain what money laundering is, how it looks different in the securities industry, how that makes regulation different for the securities industry, what FINRA’s Anti-Money Laundering Investigative Unit does and more.

Resources mentioned in this episode:

Key Topics: AML
AML FAQs
AML Half-Day Seminars

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CRD Transformation: Enhancing the Registration & Disclosure Process Mar 05, 2019

FINRA’s Central Registration and Depository (CRD) system is the central licensing and registration system not just for FINRA, but also for U.S. securities exchanges and all 50 states . But the system is still partying like it’s 1999.

Twenty years after the CRD system’s last major update, FINRA is in the middle of a multi-year effort to overhaul the registration and disclosure system that is the backbone of the BrokerCheck, the free tool that allows investors to research the background of their financial professionals and firms.

On this episode of FINRA Unscripted, FINRA’s executive vice president of Registration & Disclosure, Derek Linden, tells us more about the transformation and what users can expect.

Resources mentioned in this episode:

CRD Transformation Website

Announcement: CRD Transformation

BrokerCheck

12: How the Cloud Has Revolutionized FINRA Technology

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The Annual Priorities Letter: A Fresh Take Jan 22, 2019

The Annual FINRA Priorities Letter is a great resource for firms looking to improve their compliance, supervisory and risk management programs. But the 2019 Letter is a little different—this year focusing on materially new areas of focus so readers can better identify areas for program improvement.

On this episode of FINRA Unscripted, we’re joined by Bari Havlik, FINRA’s executive vice president of Member Supervision, Steve Polansky, a senior director in Member Supervision, and Gene DeMaio, a senior vice president of options regulation and the trading and financial compliance exam program, to learn more about the changes to the letter and to drill into a few key topics.

Stay tuned to hear more about new priorities such as fixed income mark-up disclosure and supervision of digital assets business, as well as some new takes on existing priorities, including suitability, best execution, market manipulation and more.

Resources mentioned in this episode:

2019 Priorities Letter

2018 Priorities Letter

2018 Exam Findings Report

Fixed Income Confirmation Disclosure FAQs

SEC Statement on Digital Asset Securities Issuance and Trading

SEC Issues Investigative Report on DAO Tokens

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Insider Trading: Finding the Needle in the Haystack Dec 04, 2018

When it comes to detecting insider trading, it really is like finding a needle in a haystack with more than 15,000 different stocks, options and bonds trading every day across millions of transactions. Yet, Sam Draddy and the Insider Surveillance team in the Office of Fraud Detection and Market Intelligence manage to find those needles.

The Insider Surveillance team does it by combining a lot of data—20 years’ worth of data on thousands of actively traded bonds, stocks and equity options—with a mix of sophisticated surveillance technology and good old-fashioned detective work.

On this episode of FINRA Unscripted Sam Draddy walks us through the process. Plus, he shares details of some of the most interesting cases of his career and attempts to answer the real question: why do people do it?

Resources mentioned in this episode:

SEC’s Edgar Database

Pro Golfer Agrees to Repay Trading Profits

SEC’s Perk Hixon Case

Did Somebody Just Eat a Post-It?

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The New SIE Exam: Opening Doors to the Securities Industry Sep 25, 2018

Looking to break into the financial services industry? It is about to get easier.

On October 1, 2018, FINRA will launch a new exam that consolidates the fundamental knowledge shared across several of FINRA’s existing Series exams into a single Securities Industry Essentials (SIE) exam. Additional “top-off” exams, such as the Series 7, will be trimmed down to focus only on the specific knowledge needed for that qualification—eliminating overlap in licensing exams and creating a more efficient program.

And the biggest change: you don’t have to be associated with a financial firm to take the SIE exam.

So get your number two pencils ready and tune in to this episode of Unscripted, where John Kalohn, FINRA’s Vice President of Testing & Continuing Education, joins us to provide insight that just might help you ace the SIE exam.

Resources mentioned in this episode:

Registered Representatives Brochure

SIE Exam Content Outline

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