FINRA Podcast: April 2015 Monthly Recap Focuses on Continuing Education and Reverse Convertibles

FINRA released a podcast summarizing the latest notices, compliance resources and news from April 2015.

The podcast highlighted two recent regulatory notices: (i) Notice 15-12, which announced the 2015 GASB support fee, and (ii) Notice 15-11, which reported on the Securities Industry Regulatory Counsel on Continuing Education's Spring 2015 Firm Element Advisory. The podcast also noted a recent investor alert about reverse convertibles that informs investors about the product's features and risks.

The podcast reminded market participants that FINRA's annual conference will be held from May 27 to 29, 2015, and announced registration for two additional conferences: (i) a conference for small firms scheduled from November 11 to 12, 2015 in Santa Monica, California, and (ii) a south regional compliance seminar to be held from December 2 to 3, 2015 in New Orleans.

The podcast also reviewed FINRA's initiatives to help senior investors. FINRA noted specifically that it launched a toll-free securities helpline for seniors and issued a joint report with the SEC, titled "National Senior Investor Initiative Report," that is intended to "help firms assess, craft or refine their policies and procedures for senior investors."

See: Transcript of FINRA Podcast; Listen to FINRA Podcast.