Finra Unscripted

A broker-deal firm’s anti-money laundering efforts may overlap with any number of other regulatory concerns. On the last episode, we looked at the intersection of a firm’s AML and cybersecurity risks. On this episode, the second in a two-part series, we’re looking at how AML may overlap with a firm’s efforts to protect senior investors from exploitation and fraud.Joining us on this episode are Jason Foye, a director with FINRA's Anti-Money Laundering Investigative Unit, and Brooke Hickman, a director with FINRA's Vulnerable Adults and Seniors Team (VAST), both with FINRA’s National Cause and Financial Crimes Detection Program. Resources mentioned in this episode:FinCEN February 2011 Advisory on Filing SARs Regarding Elder Financial ExploitationSARs on Elder Financial Exploitations: Issues and Trends, CFPBDOJ’s Elder Justice InitiativeFINRA Resources on Senior InvestorsFINRA Securities Helpline for SeniorsFINRA Foundation – Aging and Financial Decision Making FINRA Investor AlertsVirtual Conference Panel: Soci

Firm regulatory risks and priorities don't exist in a vacuum. And that is perhaps nowhere clearer than when it comes to a firm's anti-money laundering responsibilities. A firm's AML risks can overlap with any number of other priorities. On this episode, the first of a two-part series, we're looking at the intersection of a firm's AML and cybersecurity risks. Joining us are Jason Foye, a director with FINRA's Anti-Money Laundering Investigative Unit, and Dave Kelley, a director with FINRA's Cybersecurity Specialist Program, both with FINRA’s National Cause and Financial Crimes Detection Program. Resources mentioned in this episode:Episode 60: Introducing Greg Ruppert and the NCFCEpisode 33: Money Laundering in the Securities IndustryEpisode 34: AML Priorities and Best Practices SWIFT: How Cyber Attackers ‘Cash Out’ Following Large-Scale HeistsFinCEN October 2020 Advisory on Ransomware FinCEN July 2020 Advisory on CybercrimeFinCEN October 2016 Advisory on Cyber Events

As of June 30, 2020, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission’s Regulation Best Interest—or Reg BI—is officially in effect. That means brokerage firms now have to comply with a new standard of conduct when working with retail clients.On this episode we talk to Meredith Cordisco and Jim Wrona of FINRA’s Office of General Counsel about what a post implementation date world looks like for FINRA member firms and what FINRA has been doing to train staff to ensure a consistent approach to examining around and enforcing the new rule across the organization.And listen to the end for a special surprise from Jim. Resources mentioned in this episode:SEC Reg BI Resource PageFINRA Reg BI Resource PageVirtual Conference Panel: Reg BI and Form CRS: Where Are We NowVirtual Conference Panel: Reg BI: Compliance Inspections and ExaminationsEmail questions: IABDquestions@sec.gov

The world of money laundering is a fast-paced and ever evolving as we learned on the last episode of FINRA Unscripted. That can make it difficult for a financial firm to develop and maintain a robust anti-money laundering program. But maintaining a strong program is essential, making AML a perennial priority for FINRA’s examination staff. A robust AML program will not only safeguard the investing public and our financial markets, but it will also protect a firm’s reputation. On this episode of FINRA Unscripted, we are joined once again by Blake Snyder and Jason Foye of FINRA’s AML Investigative Unit to discuss current priorities and best practices when it comes to anti-money laundering regulation. Resources mentioned in this episode: FINRA Senior Helpline 2019 FINRA Priorities Letter FINRA CDD Rule Requirements

When three hapless employees inadvertently embezzle a bunch of cash in the movie “Office Space,” they decide the best way to cover it up is to launder it. But the thing is, they don’t even really know what money laundering is and they learned that even the dictionary couldn’t fill them in. If you want to understand what money laundering is, and more specifically, the efforts brokerage firms must take to prevent and detect it, stay tuned. We have something better than the dictionary: we have Blake Snyder and Jason Foye, two members of FINRA’s Anti-Money Laundering Investigative Unit. On this episode of FINRA Unscripted, Blake and Jason explain what money laundering is, how it looks different in the securities industry, how that makes regulation different for the securities industry, what FINRA’s Anti-Money Laundering Investigative Unit does and more. Resources mentioned in this episode: Key Topics: AML AML FAQs AML Half-Day Seminars

FINRA’s Central Registration and Depository (CRD) system is the central licensing and registration system not just for FINRA, but also for U.S. securities exchanges and all 50 states . But the system is still partying like it’s 1999. Twenty years after the CRD system’s last major update, FINRA is in the middle of a multi-year effort to overhaul the registration and disclosure system that is the backbone of the BrokerCheck, the free tool that allows investors to research the background of their financial professionals and firms. On this episode of FINRA Unscripted, FINRA’s executive vice president of Registration & Disclosure, Derek Linden, tells us more about the transformation and what users can expect. Resources mentioned in this episode: CRD Transformation Website Announcement: CRD Transformation BrokerCheck 12: How the Cloud Has Revolutionized FINRA Technology

The Annual FINRA Priorities Letter is a great resource for firms looking to improve their compliance, supervisory and risk management programs. But the 2019 Letter is a little different—this year focusing on materially new areas of focus so readers can better identify areas for program improvement. On this episode of FINRA Unscripted, we’re joined by Bari Havlik, FINRA’s executive vice president of Member Supervision, Steve Polansky, a senior director in Member Supervision, and Gene DeMaio, a senior vice president of options regulation and the trading and financial compliance exam program, to learn more about the changes to the letter and to drill into a few key topics. Stay tuned to hear more about new priorities such as fixed income mark-up disclosure and supervision of digital assets business, as well as some new takes on existing priorities, including suitability, best execution, market manipulation and more. Resources mentioned in this episode: 2019 Priorities Letter 2018 Priorities Letter 2018 Exam Find

When it comes to detecting insider trading, it really is like finding a needle in a haystack with more than 15,000 different stocks, options and bonds trading every day across millions of transactions. Yet, Sam Draddy and the Insider Surveillance team in the Office of Fraud Detection and Market Intelligence manage to find those needles. The Insider Surveillance team does it by combining a lot of data—20 years’ worth of data on thousands of actively traded bonds, stocks and equity options—with a mix of sophisticated surveillance technology and good old-fashioned detective work. On this episode of FINRA Unscripted Sam Draddy walks us through the process. Plus, he shares details of some of the most interesting cases of his career and attempts to answer the real question: why do people do it? Resources mentioned in this episode: SEC’s Edgar Database Pro Golfer Agrees to Repay Trading Profits SEC’s Perk Hixon Case Did Somebody Just Eat a Post-It?

Looking to break into the financial services industry? It is about to get easier. On October 1, 2018, FINRA will launch a new exam that consolidates the fundamental knowledge shared across several of FINRA’s existing Series exams into a single Securities Industry Essentials (SIE) exam. Additional “top-off” exams, such as the Series 7, will be trimmed down to focus only on the specific knowledge needed for that qualification—eliminating overlap in licensing exams and creating a more efficient program. And the biggest change: you don’t have to be associated with a financial firm to take the SIE exam. So get your number two pencils ready and tune in to this episode of Unscripted, where John Kalohn, FINRA’s Vice President of Testing & Continuing Education, joins us to provide insight that just might help you ace the SIE exam. Resources mentioned in this episode: Registered Representatives Brochure SIE Exam Content Outline