Earlier this month, FINRA published its Annual Regulatory and Examination Priorities Letter (the “Letter”). This is the first Letter under the tenure of new FINRA President and CEO Robert W. Cook. Notably, Mr. Cook introduced FINRA’s annual Letter with his own “cover letter” in which he shared several thoughts with the broker-dealer industry, including a common thread running through FINRA’s Letter—specifically a focus on core issues of compliance, supervision, and risk management. Mr. Cook also discussed his “listening tour” to meet with member firms, regulators, and investor groups since joining FINRA in August. In doing so, he shared two takeaways. First, starting this year, FINRA will publish summary reports that outline key findings from examinations in selected areas to serve as additional tools that firms can use to strengthen their controls. Second, in response to feedback from smaller firms, FINRA … Read More »