Finra Unscripted

3: FINRA360: Building a Stronger FINRA How can FINRA become a better, more effective regulator? That’s the question President and CEO Robert Cook is looking to answer. In 2017, Cook introduced FINRA360, a multi-year initiative to process and act upon feedback about how FINRA could do better. Cook has solicited feedback at every turn – internally, from FINRA member firms, from investors and investor advocates and other stakeholders. In this episode, Cook highlights some of the major accomplishments under FINRA360 to date and previews what is yet to come. Resources mentioned in this episode: FINRA360 Special Notice on Engagement Examination Findings Report Budget Summary and Financial Guiding Principles

2: Building A More Transparent Organization Long before transparency was a buzzword, it was central to FINRA’s mission. Transparent markets and educated investors ensure our markets remain strong and public trust in our markets remain high. But FINRA is a self-regulatory organization (SRO), which means that transparency is also essential to FINRA’s model. In 2017, FINRA published a special notice requesting comment on potential enhancements to its engagement programs. One year later, FINRA has taken major steps to improve its standing as a transparent SRO in the financial industry. In this episode, FINRA’s Marcia Asquith, Executive Vice President for Board and External Relations, highlights some of the actions FINRA has taken to improve transparency not only in the markets, but also in its organization and engagement. Resources mentioned in this episode: FINRA360 Special Notice on Engagement Examination Findings Report Budget Summary and Financial Guiding Principles

What Does FINRA’s Chief Economist Do? Regulation has consequences. It is a regulator’s job to consider those consequences and weight the impact of regulation to ensure that it is appropriately tailored. What is the problem we are trying to solve? How does this rule or solution solve that problem? Is it the best solution to the problem? How does it impact business development? FINRA’s Office of the Chief Economist asks those tough questions and more to help make FINRA a better self-regulatory organization. Chief Economist Jonathan Sokobin explains how he built his office, the role he and his staff play in FINRA’s rule making and retrospect rule review processes and the importance of thinking economically when it comes to regulation. Bonus: you’ll learn why it is called The Ohio State University. Resources mentioned in this episode: Office of the Chief Economist Regulatory Notices – Retrospective Rule Reviews