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FINRA is conducting a targeted review of member firm practices related to the supervision of non-principal protected “worst-of” structured notes over a look-back period of 2022 through the end of 2025.  FINRA’s focus is on Regulation Best Interest, including the Care Obligation, and how member firms supervise customer concentrations in “worst-of” structured notes.  FINRA is…

In April 2026, FINRA published its report titled “FINRA Forward: A Year of Progress,” which provides a recap of the regulatory changes implemented by FINRA as part of its rule modernization initiative.  The report also provides insight into pending rule proposals and other policy initiatives.

Rule Changes and Guidance

FINRA highlights significant rule changes, including…

On April 2, 2026, the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (“FINRA”) Investor Education Foundation (the “Foundation”) published a brief (the “Brief”) examining the demographic characteristics, investment knowledge and fraud vulnerabilities of retail investors who reported using social media to inform their investing decisions or making investing decisions based on the recommendation of social media personalities dispensing…

On March 30, 2026, the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) proposed amendments to its rules imposing restrictions on the purchase and sale of equity securities offered in initial public offerings (IPOs) (Rule 5130) and new issue allocations and distributions (Rule 5131) to exempt specified collective trust funds (CTFs) from the rules’ prohibitions.

CTFs (also known…

FINRA’s proposal would expand investor access to performance projections and targeted returns to more closely align FINRA Rule 2210 with the IA Marketing Rule

The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc. (“FINRA”) recently filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission proposed amendments (the “Proposed Amendments”) to FINRA Rule 2210 (Communications with the Public) to permit…

Amendments increase the annual gift limit to $300, provide exemptive relief authority, codify existing guidance and clarify that the rule does not apply to gifts to individual retail customers

On February 12, 2026, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission approved the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc.’s (“FINRA”) amendments (the “Amendments”) to FINRA Rule 3220 (Influencing…

The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc. (“FINRA”) issued Regulatory Notice 26-03 (the “Notice”) consolidating guidance on the use of negative consent letters for bulk transfers or assignments of customer accounts between FINRA members. Moreover, the Notice eliminates the current practice of submitting draft negative consent letters to FINRA staff for review; this change will become…

On January 22, 2026, the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc. (“FINRA”) filed a proposed rule change with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) to amend FINRA Rule 5123, which governs member filings in connection with private placements.  The proposal would expand the rule’s existing accredited investor exemption to cover certain family offices and to include…

On December 11, 2025, the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc. (“FINRA”) issued a report on social media‑influenced investing (the “Report”).  FINRA observes that an increasing number of investors report that social media content directly impacts their investing decisions; this trend is especially pronounced among younger investors. The Report summarizes the findings of a FINRA staff…

The Report highlights FINRA’s continued focus on generative artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, small-cap securities fraud, and third-party risk

The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc. (“FINRA”) published its 2026 FINRA Annual Regulatory Oversight Report (the “Report”), which builds on the structure and content of FINRA’s prior reports for 2021-2025. This year, the Report was published earlier than…