FINRA Podcast: August 2015 Monthly Recap of FINRA Notices and Selected SEC Rule Approvals

FINRA released a podcast that summarized the latest FINRA notices, compliance resources and news from August 2015. Recent developments highlighted in the podcast included the:

Notices

• SEC's approval of FINRA's amendments to web-based delivery of continuing education's Regulatory Element (FINRA Reg. Notice 15-28)
• FINRA's revision of the Series 4 Examination Program (FINRA Reg. Notice 15-29)
• SEC's approval of consolidated FINRA Rule 2241 to "address conflicts of interest related to publication and distribution of equity research report" that replaces NASD and NYSE rules (FINRA Reg. Notice 15-30)
• SEC's approval of FINRA Rule 2242 that "addresses conflicts of interest related to publication and distribution of debt-research reports"

Resources for Firms

• Development of FINRA Automated Data Delivery System to help firms "monitor their trading and reporting activity and support compliance procedures"
• FINRA issued a targeted exam letter about "a review of conflicts of interest related to compensation and oversight"
• FINRA is accepting applications for the small firms Certified Regulatory and Compliance Professional Scholarship offering residential courses on the foundation, theory, and practical application of securities laws and regulation
• Second quarter corporate and agency data tables for the FINRA Trade Reporting and Compliance Engine Fact Book including aggregated information for corporate and agency debt securities
• The future transitioning of FINRA's subordinated loan submission process to an electronic platform on the firm gateway

Education

• Release of July FINRA Disciplinary Review Podcast as well as parts 5 and 6 of FINRA's 2015 Examination Priorities Letter Podcast Series on financial and operational priorities and market integrity, respectively
• Release of the second volume of FINRA e-learning course series about "understanding your role in retail anti-money laundering"

Investor News

• Release of FINRA Investor Podcast about reverse mortgages "to help investors understand these mortgages and spot misleading advertisements for them"
• Release of FINRA Investor Alert titled "Job Dislocation: Managing the Financial Impact of Unexpected Job Loss" that "gives tips on how to ask the right questions, plan ahead, keep finances on the right track and protect yourself when getting financial advice"
• Release of FINRA Investor Alert titled "Market Risk: What You Don't Know Can Hurt You" which "highlights common market risks and ways to manage them"
• Awarding of FINRA Investor Education Foundation fellowships to 50 military spouses to conduct financial counseling
• Testimony by FINRA Investor Education Foundation President Gerri Walsh before DOL's Advisory Council on Employee Welfare and Pension Benefit Plans.