facebook twitter instagram linkedin google youtube vimeo tumblr yelp rss email podcast phone blog search brokercheck brokercheck Play Pause
%POST_TITLE% Thumbnail

What Does FINRA Do for Investors?

Column distributed by Hearst Connecticut Media Group.

Links to resources referenced:

  • FINRA Investor Insights: “What It Means to Be Regulated by FINRA”
    • https://www.finra.org/investors/insights/regulated-by-FINRA
      • Related column excerpt:
        • “Member firms are registered with the SEC as broker-dealers. Quoting from FINRA’s website: ‘FINRA members must meet extensive conduct, operational and financial requirements. FINRA, under the close supervision of the SEC, oversees its member firms’ compliance with these requirements. In addition, individuals who are associated with member firms and who are engaged in the investment banking or securities business must be qualified and registered with FINRA. Other types of financial firms and individuals are not subject to FINRA oversight.’” 
  • FINRA Arbitration and Mediation
    • https://www.finra.org/arbitration-mediation  
      • Related column excerpt:
        • “All of this translates into significant benefits for investors. FINRA member representatives have to be tested and licensed; their licenses can be revoked in instances of wrongdoing; and FINRA provides a dispute resolution mechanism to customers who have disputes with representatives of member firms.” 
  • FINRA Enforcement
    • https://www.finra.org/rules-guidance/enforcement
      • Related column excerpt:
        • “FINRA’s Department of Enforcement works to bring ‘meaningful enforcement actions to correct wrongdoing and deter future misconduct’ and seeks to root out ‘the bad actors that pose the greatest risk of harm to investors and the markets.’”
  • FINRA Registration, Exams and CE
    • https://www.finra.org/registration-exams-ce/qualification-exams  
      • Related column excerpt:
        • “FINRA supervises qualification exams for those seeking to become securities professionals, including the Securities Industry Essentials (SIE) and Series 7 (General Securities Representative) exams. It also offers a continuing education program for those in the securities industry that includes FLEX Education, which has interactive e-learning courses. FINRA’s Financial Industry Networking Directory (FIND) aims to connect those enrolled to take the SIE exam ‘with firms that are recruiting for employment and internship opportunities.’”
  • FINRA Registration, Exams and CE: Financial Industry Networking Directory
    • https://www.finra.org/registration-exams-ce/financial-industry-networking-directory
      • Related column excerpt
        • “FINRA supervises qualification exams for those seeking to become securities professionals, including the Securities Industry Essentials (SIE) and Series 7 (General Securities Representative) exams. It also offers a continuing education program for those in the securities industry that includes FLEX Education, which has interactive e-learning courses. FINRA’s Financial Industry Networking Directory (FIND) aims to connect those enrolled to take the SIE exam ‘with firms that are recruiting for employment and internship opportunities.’”
  • FINRA Data
    • https://www.finra.org/finra-data
      • Related column excerpt:
        • “FINRA Data furnishes a large amount of information, from fixed-income data (bond details, market statistics and trade activity) to statistics on firms, representatives and investors. FINRA also has its Trade Reporting and Compliance Engine (TRACE), which ‘facilitates the mandatory reporting of over-the-counter transactions in eligible fixed income securities.’”
  • FINRA Filing and Reporting
    • https://www.finra.org/filing-reporting/trace  
      • Related column excerpt:
        • “FINRA Data furnishes a large amount of information, from fixed-income data (bond details, market statistics and trade activity) to statistics on firms, representatives and investors. FINRA also has its Trade Reporting and Compliance Engine (TRACE), which ‘facilitates the mandatory reporting of over-the-counter transactions in eligible fixed income securities.’”
  • FINRA Securities Helpline for Seniors
    • https://www.finra.org/investors/need-help/helpline-seniors  
      • Related column excerpt:
        • “Seniors (and youngsters) who have ‘concerns about issues with brokerage accounts and investments’ can go to FINRA’s Securities Helpline for Seniors. Callers can get assistance on reviewing their portfolio or account statements and ask questions about how their brokerage account has been handled.” 
  • FINRA Get Your Head in the Trade
    • https://www.finra.org/tradesmart  
      • Related column excerpt:
        • “Those who are relatively new to investing should check out ‘Get Your Head in the Trade,’ which offers interactive tools to help evaluate important considerations like risk tolerance and financial goals.”
  • FINRA Reports and Studies
    • https://www.finra.org/media-center/reports-studies  
      • Related column excerpt:
        • “Among FINRA’s reports and studies is its annual Industry Snapshot, which provides an important overview ‘ranging from the number of FINRA-registered individuals to the overall revenues of firms, and from trading activity to how firms market their products and services.’”
  • FINRA For Investors
    • https://www.finra.org/investors#/
      • Related column excerpt:
        • “Of course, FINRA also is heavily involved in investor education, beginning with its For Investors website section, which includes tools and resources, among them the ability to check out the letters after an investment professional’s name and a Scam Meter, which can help you better judge a deal before taking action.”
  • FINRA Professional Designations
    • https://www.finra.org/investors/professional-designations  
      • Related column excerpt:
        • “Of course, FINRA also is heavily involved in investor education, beginning with its For Investors website section, which includes tools and resources, among them the ability to check out the letters after an investment professional’s name and a Scam Meter, which can help you better judge a deal before taking action.”
  • FINRA Protect Your Money
    • https://www.finra.org/investors/protect-your-money  
      • Related column excerpt:
        • “Of course, FINRA also is heavily involved in investor education, beginning with its For Investors website section, which includes tools and resources, among them the ability to check out the letters after an investment professional’s name and a Scam Meter, which can help you better judge a deal before taking action.”
  • FINRA How We Operate
    • https://www.finra.org/about/how-we-operate  
      • Related column excerpt:
        • “As FINRA states, ‘We believe empowered investors make smarter decisions.’ And since I am a proponent of financial literacy for all, FINRA continues to be my go-to resource for a myriad of investor issues and serves as a familiar reference point in my columns.”