FINRA

The primary activity of FINRA (Financial Industry Regulatory Authority) is the regulation of the securities industry in the United States. It is a not-for-profit, self-regulatory organization whose mission is to protect investors and ensure the integrity of the financial markets. FINRA develops and enforces rules that govern brokers and brokerage firms, monitors the markets to detect abuses (such as insider trading), and provides dispute resolution services (arbitration and mediation).

The main products and services offered by FINRA include :

• Surveillance and enforcement of financial market regulations.
• Compliance and reporting tools for member firms.
• Qualification exams and continuing education programs for industry professionals.
• Educational resources and tools for investors (for example, BrokerCheck to verify brokers’ histories).
• Dispute resolution services (arbitration and mediation).

FINRA primarily serves brokerage firms, finance professionals, individual and institutional investors, as well as regulatory bodies and public authorities.

FINRA (Financial Industry Regulatory Authority) is a nonprofit, self-regulatory organization with 85 years of history, dedicated to protecting investors and the integrity of the U.S. financial markets. Its origins date back to the creation of the National Association of Securities Dealers (NASD) in 1939, which played a key role in regulating securities brokers. In 2007, a major milestone was reached with the merger of NASD and the regulatory functions of the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE), giving rise to FINRA in its current form.

Over the decades, FINRA has developed numerous products and services, including the BrokerCheck system, which allows the public to verify the backgrounds of brokers and financial firms, as well as tools for monitoring and detecting insider trading. The organization has also established continuing education programs, qualification exams for industry professionals, and dispute resolution platforms (arbitration and mediation).

FINRA has adapted to market changes, notably with the creation of the Crypto Hub to oversee activities related to crypto-assets, and by modernizing its rules and compliance tools. It regularly collaborates with U.S. and international authorities and publishes annual reports on regulatory oversight and the financial capability of investors. Finally, FINRA pursues a strategy of engagement with its members and the public to strengthen transparency and trust in financial markets.

The founder of FINRA (Financial Industry Regulatory Authority) is not a single person, as it is an organization resulting from the 2007 merger of the National Association of Securities Dealers (NASD) and the regulatory arm of the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE Regulation). FINRA is therefore an independent, non-profit entity overseen by a board of directors.

The main members of FINRA’s executive team are:

• Robert W. Cook – President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO)
• Eileen Murray – Chair of the Board of Directors
• Jessica Hopper – Executive Vice President, Head of Enforcement
• Josh Drobnyk – Executive Vice President, Head of Communications
• Chris Kelly – Executive Vice President, Chief Legal Officer

The executive team also includes other executive vice presidents responsible for various departments, such as technology, finance, market supervision, and compliance.