On May 25, the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) published the 2021 FINRA Industry Spotlight (Industry Spotlight), which is FINRA’s annual statistical report covering the brokerage firms, registered representatives and market activity that FINRA regulates. The 2021 edition includes new statistics on US Treasury volume and corporate financing filings. The Industry Spotlight also includes 2020
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FINRA Publishes 2021 Budget
The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) has published its 2021 Annual Budget Summary (Budget Summary), which outlines how FINRA plans to deploy resources in 2021 to meet its various regulatory responsibilities.
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Notice of Filing of a Proposed Rule Change to Adopt a Supplemental Liquidity Schedule
The Securities and Exchange Commission is seeking comments on a Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) proposal to adopt a Supplemental Liquidity Schedule (SLS), and instructions thereto, pursuant to FINRA Rule 4524. FINRA Rule 4524 provides in part that each member, as FINRA shall designate, shall file as a supplement to FOCUS Reports such additional financial or operational schedules or reports as FINRA may deem necessary. The proposed SLS, which would be filed as a supplement to the FOCUS Report, would be required to be filed by (1) each carrying member with at least $25 million in free credit balances, as outlined under Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (SEA) Rule 15c3-3(a)(8); and (2) any member with at least $1 billion in aggregate outstanding repurchase agreements, securities loan contracts and bank loans, as reported on their most recent FOCUS Report.
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FINRA Dispute Resolution Services to Reopen Most Hearing Locations for In-Person Arbitration and Mediation
Beginning on June 5, the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority Dispute Resolution Services (FINRA DRS) will permit in-person hearings to resume at most of its hearing locations for in-person arbitration and mediation proceedings.
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SEC Division of Investment Management Staff Publishes Public Statement on Funds Registered Under Investment Company Act Investing in Bitcoin Futures Market
On May 11, the Securities Exchange Commission’s (SEC) Division of Investment Management (IM) staff issued a Public Statement (Statement) strongly encouraging any investor interested in investing in mutual funds exposed to the Bitcoin futures market to carefully consider the risks involved with such investments.
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Consolidated Audit Trail Publishes New Roadmap to Assist Small Firms With Reporting Obligations
On May 7, Consolidated Audit Trail, LLC and FINRA CAT, LLC (CAT) published a new roadmap to assist Small Firms with their reporting obligations for CAT Reportable Securities by the compliance date of December 13.
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FINRA Seeks Comment Regarding Diversity and Inclusion Initiatives
The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) is seeking comment on rules, operations and administrative processes that may create unintended disparate impacts on those within the industries that FINRA regulates.
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FINRA Seeks Comment on Proposed Amendments to Margin Rule Requirements
The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) is requesting comment on proposed amendments to Rule 4210 (Margin Requirements) that seek to clarify current interpretations related to extended settlement transactions.
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SEC Small Business Capital Formation Advisory Committee to Discuss Opportunities for Underrepresented Founders and Investors
On April 26, the Securities and Exchange Commission announced that its Small Business Capital Formation Advisory Committee (Committee) will meet on Friday, April 30, to discuss solutions to increase access to capital for underrepresented founders and investors from smaller, regional funds. The meeting will include a presentation from the Office of the Advocate for Small…
Upcoming Effective Date of FINRA Rules Regarding Brokers With a Significant History of Misconduct
On March 10, the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) issued Regulatory Notice 21-09 announcing FINRA’s adoption of new rules to address brokers with a significant history of misconduct and the broker-dealers that employ them, as discussed in the March 12, 2021 edition of Corporate & Financial Weekly Digest). Amendments to FINRA Rule 8312 (FINRA…