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FINRA Unscripted is the voice of the nation’s largest non-government securities regulator. We bring together FINRA leaders to discuss existing and emerging regulatory topics that impact the broker-dealer industry. We share best practices for compliance officers, insights into the operations of a 3,500 person self-regulated organization and educational tools and information for investors. Every investor in America relies on one thing: fair financial markets. That is what FINRA works every day to ensure.
164 Episodes
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In the securities world today, there is little daylight between money laundering and fraud. As these two spaces have come to increasingly overlap, FINRA created the Special Investigations Unit, or SIU, to detect and investigate cases illicit finance, market abuse and other fraud. On this episode, we sit down with SIU Senior Director Gargi Sharma, and three investigative directors from her team: Kayla Le, Peter Gonzalez and David Byrne. They join us to share how they work to proactively identify and mitigate threats related to money laundering and other frauds.Resources mentioned in this episode:Reg Notice 21-14: FINRA Alerts Firms to Increase in ACH Instant Funds AbuseReg Notice 22-25: Heightened Threat of FraudReg Notice 23-06: Effective Practices to Address Risks of Fraudulent Transfers2023 Report on FINRA’s Examination and Risk Monitoring Program2024 FINRA Annual Regulatory Oversight ReportInvestor Insight: Ramp-and-Dump ScamsInvestor Insight: Investment Group Imposter ScamsEpisode 33: AML in the Securities IndustryEpisode 129: Detecting and Preventing ACATS FraudEpisode 154: FINRA’s High-Risk Representative ProgramEpisode 157: An Update on FINRA’s Financial Intelligence Unit Episode 161: FINRA CEO Robert Cook on Disrupting the Cycle of Financial Fraud
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Gen X is often called the Forgotten Generation given how often they’re overlooked in favor of conversation around boomers, millennials or now even Gen Z. But not today. On this episode, Gen X is the one in the spotlight as we sit down Gary Mottola, research director with the FINRA Foundation, Ritta McLaughlin, director of community outreach with FINRA’s Investor Education team, and Jeremy Ko, the 2024 FINRA Foundation Ketchum Visiting Scholar, to dig into the financial health of those born between 1965 and 1980 and, importantly, their perception of their own financial well-being. Resources mentioned in this episode:How Gen X Compares Financially to Other Generations: Doing Alright but Feeling BadFINRA Foundation National Financial Capability StudyEpisode 19: Debunked: 7 Myths about Millennials—the Underinvested GenerationEpisode 22: Millennials and Money: How to Get Started on the Road to InvestingEpisode 134: Gen Z Investors: A Look at the Attitudes and Behaviors of the Youngest Investors[KK1]Need link
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Why do we engage with scammers? What makes one person more likely to engage than the next? Of those that engage, what makes someone more likely to lose money? These are important questions to ask – and find the answers to – both as consumers and as an industry with an interest in disrupting the cycle of financial fraud. On this episode, we hear from moderator Emma Fletcher, a senior data researcher with the FTC, and panelists Marti DeLiema, Assistant Research Professor at the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities, Duygu Başaran Şahin, a postdoctoral research fellow at the RAND Center for the Study of Aging, and Gary Mottola, research director for the FINRA Foundation, about the latest research into these important questions and learn more about what might stop someone from engaging with a fraud to begin with.Resources mentioned in this episode:Exposed to Scams: What Separates Victims from Non-VictimsDoes One Size Fit All? An Examination of Risk Factors by Scam TypeFraud Victimization Across the Lifespan: Evidence on Repeat Victimization Using Perpetrator DataAddressing the Problem of Chronic Fraud VictimizationVulnerability of Older Adults to Government Impersonation ScamsA Review of Scam Prevention Messaging ResearchProtecting Retail Customers from Gift Card Payment ScamsFINRA Foundation Research Center
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The number of highly sophisticated crypto scams is growing, with Americans losing an estimated $5.6 billion to crypto-related scams in 2023, according to the FBI, a 45 percent jump from the prior year. And often crypto fraud is tied in with romance scams, with criminals targeting victims through texts, dating sites, social media, networking channels or other apps. While we all like to think we would be immune to such scams, research has shown time and again that everyone is vulnerable, even the most highly educated among us. On this episode, we hear the firsthand accounts of Jules and Brian, two victims of romance crypto scams, who recently spoke at a FINRA Foundation conference on disrupting the cycle of financial fraud. They sat down with Kim Casci-Palangio, program manager of the Cybercrime Support Network (CSN), to share their experiences, the financial, mental and emotional toll they took, and their efforts to recover from their loss. This audio was edited to remove personally identifying information about our victims.Resources mentioned in this episode:Cybercrime Support NetworkRomance Scam Recovery GroupFINRA FoundationFBI Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3)Non-Traditional Costs of Financial FraudInvestor Alert: Relationship Investment Scams‘Pig Butchering’ Scams: What They Are and How to Avoid ThemCrypto Investment Scams Infographic
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Last week, FINRA CEO Robert Cook spoke to an audience of regulators, academics, law enforcement agencies, advocacy groups and financial firms at a conference hosted by the FINRA Foundation to underscore the importance of working together to disrupt the cycle of fraud. He highlighted specific areas for further coordination and announced that FINRA will reach out operators of existing regulatory databases to explore ways to create a one-stop shop resource for investor research. On this episode, we tune in to his remarks. Resources mentioned in this episode:Full Text of Speech As Prepared for Delivery
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FINRA’s Examinations team carries out one of FINRA’s core functions in the examination of FINRA member firms. In an effort to continuously improve the program, the team has undertaken changes to create efficiencies before, during and after the exam process. On this episode, Michael Solomon, executive vice president of Examinations and the Membership Application Program, Tom Mellett and John Martino, both vice president of Firm Group Examinations, join us to detail some of the recent changes, including the introduction of thematic reviews, changes to the post-exam closeout process and more.Resources mentioned in this episode:Episode 132: The Ins and Outs of FINRA’s Annual Program2024 Regulatory Oversight ReportTargeted (Sweep) Exam Letters
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FINRA’s Membership Application Program (MAP) team serves as the first point of contact for firms looking to enter the broker-dealer industry. It works both to protect investors by ensuring would-be member firms meet FINRA standards of admission, and to help new and existing firms grow and evolve, ensuring a vibrant market for all.On this episode, Cindy Foster, Vice President of MAP, joins us to share more about FINRA standards of admission and how the group works to ensure a smooth process for both current and prospective member firms. Resources mentioned in this episode:Member Application RulesBroker-Dealer RegistrationFINRA Standards for AdmissionEpisode 117: Reviewing and Approving Digital Asset FirmsMAP Tools and VideosMAP FAQsChecklist for Mandatory Materiality ConsultationResidential Supervisory Locations (RSL) FAQsPhone: 212-858-4000, option fiveEmail: MAPintake@finra.org
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Last summer, we introduced listeners to FINRA’ Crypto Hub and enterprise-wide strategy for keeping up with the evolving crypto asset regulatory landscape. A year later, this remains an important area of focus for investors, the industry and FINRA. On this episode, Jamie Udinson, senior director of the Cyber and Analytics Unit, Michael Yuan, a director with FINRA’s Risk Monitoring program, and Jason Stralka, an examination manager with the Exam program, join us to provide an update on FINRA’s crypto asset work, to dig into the results of a recent survey of member firms regarding their crypto-asset touchpoints, to tell us about the new spot Bitcoin ETP market and more.Resources mentioned in this episode:2024 Regulatory Oversight Report: Crypt Asset DevelopmentsCrypto Assets Key Topic PageEpisode 136: An Introduction to FINRA’s Crypto Asset Work and the Crypto HubEpisode 137: The Crucial Role of FINRA’s CAI TeamEpisode 138: FINRA’s Blockchain LabEpisode 145: An Update on FINRA’s Crypt Asset Targeted Exam
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FINRA's Financial Intelligence Unit acts as a nerve center for information on emerging threats impacting the financial industry with the aim of providing actionable intelligence to firms, other regulators and law-enforcement to keep investors safe. On this episode, Blake Snyder, senior director of FIU, joins us to share how the group has grown and matured over the last few years and how they are evolving the way they share information, including through the introduction of the new Threat Intelligence Products, or TIPs.Resources mentioned in this episode:Episode 33: AML in the Securities IndustryEpisode 86: Introducing FIUTIP: Protecting Vulnerable Adult and Senior InvestorsInvestor Insight: Pig Butchering ScamsInvestor Insight: Ramp-and-Dump ScamsRegulatory Notice 22-25National Cyber-Forensics and Training Alliance (NCFTA)InfraguardFIU@finra.org
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Financial social media influencers—or finfluencers—are growing in popularity as a cheap way to reach a new generation of investors. But using these individuals to promote a firm its products or services comes with risks, as revealed by the results of a recent targeted review of FINRA member firm practices in the space. On this episode, Ira Gluck, senior director of Advertising Regulation, and Melissa Turitz, a director with FINRA Enforcement, dig into the results of the finfluencer target review, the risks and regulatory requirements around this newer form of advertising and share some best practices for firms looking to make use of social media influencer programs. Resources mentioned in this episode:Reg Notice 17-18: Guidance on Social Media and Business CommunicationsFebruary 2023 Finfluencer Sweep UpdateRule 2210 – Communications with the PublicPress release – March Finfluencer Enforcement ActionApril Finfluencer Letter of Acceptance, Waiver and Consent (AWC)Gen Z and Investing: Social Media, Crypto, FOMO and Family (Research Report)Episode 134: A Look at the Attitudes and Behaviors of the Youngest Investors
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In late May, certain amendments to FINRA's margin rule, Rule 4210, went into effect to address a significant source of potential systemic risk and risk to FINRA member firms. The amendments introduced specific margin requirements related to covered agency transactions. On this episode, we talk to David Aman, senior advisor, and James Barry, director of Credit Regulation, both with FINRA's Office of Financial and Operational Risk Policy, and with Michael MacPherson, a senior advisor with Member Supervision’s Risk Monitoring team, to learn more about the purpose of the rule, which firms might be impacted by the change and what those firms need to think about to ensure compliance with the amended rule. Resources mentioned in this episode:Contact: coveredagencymargin@finra.orgKey Topics: MarginFAQs Regarding Covered Agency Transaction Margin under FINRA Rule 4210Reg Notice 23-14: Amendments to Covered Agency Transaction Requirements Under FINRA Rule 4210
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Protecting investors from harm is a top FINRA priority. And when it comes to specific individuals who may pose a risk, FINRA's High Risk Representative (HRR) Program is on the case. On this episode, Brooks Brown, Senior Director, and Eric Hebert and John Salerno, Investigative Directors, from the HRR unit join us to explain how they identify and monitor individuals who pose an elevated risk of misconduct to protect investors and maintain the integrity of the market. Resources mentioned in this episode:Episode 114: Bringing Cases Against Individual BrokersEpisode 150: A Cybersecurity Update with FINRA’s Complex Investigations and Intelligence Team (CII)Key Topic: Protecting Investors from MisconductVirtual Conference Panel: Supervision of High-Risk Activities
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Every day, FINRA's Insider Trading Detection Program uses sophisticated technology and analytics to monitor 100% of trading in stocks, options and bonds for potentially suspicious activity around material news events, resulting in hundreds of referrals to the SEC and law enforcement every year. On this episode, we hear from Sam Draddy, a Senior Vice President of the Market Abuse Unit within FINRA's Market Regulation and Transparency Services, and Karen Braine, Vice President of the Insider Trading Detection Program, about how they connect trading data, information from public sources and from companies and FINRA firms to pull together actionable intelligence. Resources mentioned in this episode:Episode 23: Insider Trading: Finding the Needle in the HaystackBlog: FINRA Plays a Vital Role in Exposing Insider TradingSEC Litigation Release: Sean R. Steward et al.SEC Litigation Release: Andreas BechtolsheimSEC Litigation Release: Joseph C. Lewis et al.
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Senior investor protection has long been a priority for FINRA, and the Vulnerable Adults and Seniors Team (VAST) is at the forefront of FINRA's efforts in this space. On this episode, we hear from Brooke Hickman, Director of the Vulnerable Adults and Seniors Investigative Team, Mike Paskin, a manager with VAST Investigations, and Liz Yoka, a manager of the VAST Intake team, to hear how the groups work with individual investors, firms, states and other regulators to prevent and detect financial exploitation of senior and other vulnerable investors.Resources mentioned in this episode:2024 Annual Regulatory Oversight ReportEpisode 72: Anti-Money Laundering and Elder ExploitationEpisode 128: The 2023 Senior Investor Protection ConferenceEpisode 105: The Essential Senior Investor Protection Tools: FINRA Rules 2165 and 4512FINRA Securities Helpline for Seniors – 844-57-HELPS (844-574-3577)FINRA Key Topic Page: Senior InvestorsFAQ Regarding FINRA’s Rules Relating to Financial Exploitation of SeniorsTrusted Contact Infographic
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On May 28th, U.S. markets are moving to a one-day settlement cycle, familiarly known as T+1. This move, which returns the settlement time frame back to a point at which it last stood a century ago, will have wide ranging impacts for firms, investors and regulators. On this episode, we hear from James Barry, Director of Credit Regulation with FINRA's Office of Financial and Operational Risk Policy, Bobby Gomez, a Senior Director with Market Regulation and Transparency Services' Strategic Initiatives team, Mike MacPherson, a Senior Advisor in Member Supervision's Risk Monitoring group, and John Nachmann, Associate General Counsel with the Office of General Counsel's Regulatory Practice, to discuss what all market participants need to be thinking about and testing ahead of the transition.Resources mentioned in this episode:Episode 127: Understanding the Unique Risks of Every FirmDTCC: The Key to T+1 Success BlogReg Notice 23-15: Regulation T and SEA Rule 15c3-3 ExtensionTechnical Notice: T+1 Settlement TestingFINRA Margin RegulationFINRA Investor Insight: Understanding Settlement Cycles2024 Annual Regulatory Oversight Report
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These days, it's not a matter of if, but when, when it comes to cybersecurity incidents, which is why it's essential for all firms to ensure they're prepared for the inevitable. On this episode, we're catching up with Bryan Smith, the new senior vice president of FINRA’s Complex Investigations and Intelligence (CII) team and Brita Bayatmakou, vice president of the Cyber and Analytics Unit within CII, for an update on CII, the cyber threat landscape and what firms should be thinking about and doing in response to the latest trends.Resources mentioned in this episode:FINRA's FBI Cyber Threat Briefings (Next Briefing: April 22)Episode 112: Introducing FINRA’s Complex Investigations and Intelligence TeamCISA Alerts and AdvisoriesFBI Internet Crime Complaint Center: Industry AlertsReg Notice 21-29: Obligations Related to Outsourcing to Third-Party Vendors
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U.S. financial markets today are not what they were ten years ago, five years ago, or even just a couple of years ago. Over the years, FINRA's Market Regulation and Transparency Services (MRTS) team successfully grew and evolved to meet the changing demands of the markets they oversaw. But recently, the group took time to ask, how would we build this team if we were starting from scratch? And the answer to that question involved redesigning the group structure around specific functions, rather than around specific rules or products. On this episode, we hear from Feral Talib, Executive Vice President of Surveillance and Market Intelligence, Jackie Perrell, a Senior Vice President and Chief of Staff for MRTS, and Steve Price, Senior Vice President of Market Investigations to learn how the MRTS team has realigned itself, allowing it to be more nimble in addressing and anticipating risks, to better leverage its data and more.Resources mentioned in this episode:2024 FINRA Annual Regulatory Oversight ReportFeral Talib Named Executive Vice President and Head of Surveillance & Market IntelligenceEpisode 60: Greg Ruppert and the National Cause and Financial Crimes Detection Programs
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Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) and large language models (LLM) are taking the world by storm, presenting numerous opportunities to create business efficiencies. While the new technologies offer many potential benefits to firms, regulators and investors, they also introduce unique risks. On this episode, we hear from Brad Ahrens, senior vice president of Advanced Analytics, Andrew McElduff, vice president with Member Supervision's Risk Monitoring team and Haime Workie, vice president and head of FINRA's Office of Financial Innovation, who are closely looking at these technologies and following developments in this space to learn how FINRA is looking at and thinking about generative AI when it comes to its own business and what it's looking at and seeing when it comes to firm use of these tools.Resources mentioned in this episode:Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the Securities IndustryArtificial Intelligence (AI) and Investment FraudReg Notice 21-19: Obligations Related to Outsourcing to Third-Party VendorsRule 3110: Supervision2024 FINRA Annual Regulatory Oversight Report2023 Executive Order on Artificial Intelligence for CongressNIST: Artificial Intelligence
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The FINRA Investor Education Foundation has released a new report, Investors of Color in the United States, examining the behavior and attitudes of investors of color based on data from the FINRA Foundation's National Financial Capability Study coupled with a series of focus groups conducted with young Black/African American, Hispanic/Latino and Asian American/Pacific Islander investors. The report shows interesting trends related to the pace at which these investors are entering the market, their views on risk, where they're receiving information and more. On this episode, we hear more from Ritta McLaughlin, Director of Investor Education, Community Outreach, and Principal Research Analyst Olivia Valdes to learn more.Resources mentioned in this episode:Investors of Color in the United States (2024) Gen Z and Investing: Social Media, Crypto, FOMO, and Family (2023)Investors in the United States: The Changing Landscape (2022)New Accounts and the People Who Opened Them (2021)FINRA Investor Education FoundationEpisode 134: Gen Z Investors
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FINRA Enforcement works tirelessly on the front lines of investor protection, whether looking into cases of fraud or ways that bad actors try to manipulate the markets. This tremendous undertaking demands steadfast leadership. On this episode, we meet Bill St. Louis, the former head of FINRA’s National Cause and Financial Crimes Detection Program and FINRA's new Executive Vice President and Head of Enforcement, to learn more about the man at the helm and what's on the horizon for Enforcement in the new year.Resources mentioned in this episode:2024 FINRA Annual Regulatory Oversight ReportFINRA Enforcement HomepageFINRA Names Bill St. Louis as New Head of EnforcementFINRA Fines BofA Securities $24 Million for Treasuries SpoofingFINRA Expels Monmouth Capital ManagementQualification Exams
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