FINRA has provided guidance to firms on certain issues related to the application of NASD Rule 2210 and the filing of communications for review with FINRA’s Advertising Regulation Department. FINRA’s intention is to periodically issue guidance to the industry concerning signification interpretive issues or other issues related to FINRA rules governing communications with the public.

The SEC recently approved an amendment to FINRA Rule 9251 (Inspection and Copying of Documents in Possession of Staff) that explicitly protects from discovery during FINRA proceedings those documents that federal law prohibits FINRA from disclosing.

FINRA published this notice to remind firms of their supervisory obligations regarding the use of certifications and designations that imply expertise, certification, training or specialty in advising senior investors (senior designations). The notice also outlines findings from a survey of firms and highlights sound practices used by firms with respect to senior designations. Firms are encouraged to adopt the practices that have been outlined in this notice to strengthen their own supervisory procedures.

The SEC approved amendments to FINRA Rule 6730 regarding member firms’ reporting obligations when reporting transactions in TRACE-eligible securities other than asset-backed securities. FINRA amended the reporting requirements in connection with the consolidation of all TRACE-eligible securities transaction processing and data management on a single technology platform, the multi-product platform (MPP).

FINRA and the SEC’s Office of Compliance Inspections and Examinations issued a National Exam Risk Alert to provide broker-dealer firms with information on developing effective policies and procedures for branch office inspections. The alert reminds firms of supervisory requirements under FINRA’s supervision rule and notes common deficiencies and strong compliance practices.

Effective December 15, 2011, FINRA's Web-based Regulation Filing Applications (RFA) system now includes a new exchange/market code "H" for reporting short interest positions in securities for which the BATS Exchange is the primary exchange or market in the United States on which the security is listed as of the designated settlement date.

FINRA and the other interested members of the Intermarket Surveillance Group (ISG interested members) are enhancing the Electronic Blue Sheets (EBS) to improve the regulatory agencies' ability to analyze broker-dealers' trading activities. Effective August 31, 2012, firms will be required to submit new data elements to FINRA and the other ISG interested members.

FINRA issued this notice to help firms review, reconcile and respond to their Final Renewal Statements, as well as view the reports that are currently available in Web CRD/IARD for the annual registration renewal process. The payment deadline is February 3, 2012.

In this informational notice, FINRA answers frequently asked questions regarding TRACE reporting.

This notice includes FINRA’s 2012 trade date, settlement date and margins extensions schedule.

This notice sets forth the due dates for various report filing deadlines, including FOCUS and annual audits.