Market Trends: FINRA

Overview

The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc. (FINRA) had a very active year in 2016 from a regulatory and enforcement perspective. It also experienced substantial internal changes to senior management, including the resignation of its chairman and chief executive officer, Richard Ketchum, effective in August, and the appointment of a new president and chief executive officer, Robert Cook, as well as new chairman, John Brennan. FINRA’s enforcement chief Bradley Bennett, also announced his resignation December 2016.

This article will summarize, highlight, and spot trends and direction of the agency based on the numerous regulatory events, rule proposals, and enforcement actions by FINRA in 2016, beginning with FINRA’s Annual Regulatory and Examination Letter (2016 Priorities Letter), and culminating with its Annual Regulatory and Examination Letter published in January 2017 (2017 Priorities Letter).

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