On the Front Lines of Investor Protection (2024)

On the Front Lines of Investor Protection (1)

At FINRA, our mission is clear—to protect investors and promote market integrity.

On the Front Lines of Investor Protection (2)

At FINRA, our mission is clear—to protect investors and promote market integrity.

Each year, we conduct thousands of investigations of potential violations of securities industry rules, regulations and U.S. securities laws.

Often, a single customer’s decision to speak with FINRA staff is the key to uncovering a Ponzi scheme or holding a financial fraudster accountable.

Who We Are

FINRA is a not-for-profit, non-governmental regulator for all broker-dealer firms and brokers that sell securities in the United States. We regulate approximately 3,500 firms and 620,000 brokers across the country. FINRA is overseen by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and is authorized by Congress to protect U.S. investors by making sure the broker-dealer industry operates fairly and honestly.

  • We write and enforce rules governing the activities of all registered broker-dealer firms and registered brokers in the U.S.
  • We examine firms for compliance with those rules.
  • We recover money for harmed investors and remove bad actors from the brokerage industry. In the last five years, we ordered over $170 million in restitution for harmed investors.

Our Impact

In 2020 alone, FINRA:

  • brought over 800 disciplinary actions against registered brokers and firms for unethical behavior;
  • levied $57 million in fines;
  • ordered over $25 million in restitution to harmed investors; and
  • referred close to 1,000 fraud and insider trading cases to the SEC and other agencies for litigation and/or prosecution.

How You Can Help

Each year, hundreds of investors voluntarily cooperate with FINRA staff in our investigations. These interactions help us stop bad actors before they harm others. You may have information that can assist us in an investigation.

When contacted by FINRA, please speak with us—with your help, we may be able to pursue disciplinary action against a firm or broker.

Want to Know More?

Learn more about how you can help FINRA protect investors, and read what actual investors said about their experiences working with FINRA.

On the Front Lines of Investor Protection (2024)

FAQs

What is investor protection in simple words? ›

Thus, the term 'investor protection' means those steps and measures which are required to protect the interest of the investors by enacting suitable legislation, establishing regulatory bodies or by passing of regulations or guidelines for protecting the interest of the investors in the capital market.

What is an investor protection violation? ›

An investor protection or securities fraud class action is a lawsuit brought on behalf of a group of investors who have suffered an economic loss in a particular stock or security as a result of fraudulent stock manipulation or other violations of federal or state securities law.

What is the importance of protecting investors? ›

In summary, investor protection is a crucial aspect of any financial market. It promotes investment, prevents fraudulent activities, promotes transparency and fair competition, and is essential for the long-term growth of the market.

What is an example of a FINRA violation? ›

Purchasing or selling securities in a customer's account without first contacting the customer and receiving the customer's authorization to make the sale or purchase, unless the broker has received from the customer written discretionary authority to effect transactions in the account or the broker was given ...

How investors can be protected? ›

Additionally, routinely running due diligence checks on leaders can help ensure that any significant life changes or circ*mstances do not negatively impact your business or your investors. Deep due diligence protects both you and your investors.

Can you sue someone for investment? ›

Losing money in an investment account isn't necessarily grounds for a lawsuit. There are two available paths for legal action: arbitration or the court system. In many cases, class-action suits can co-occur with individual suits.

Is defrauding investors a crime? ›

While always actionable under common law fraud, Congress, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), and states provide for criminal and civil liability for securities fraud. The broadest federal anti-securities fraud measure is Rule 10b-5, promulgated under Section 10(b) of the Exchange Act of 1934.

Who has the responsibility to protect the interest of the investors? ›

The term 'enforcement bodies' means the various regulatory bodies which can enforce the right guaranteed to the investors on account of infringement by imposing punishment through various Acts. The enforcement bodies are: SEBI, Central Government, SAT, Tribunal, Judiciary.

What do investors care most about? ›

For example, they look at your company's sustainable competitive advantages, your margin profile, and whether the company is an efficient allocator of capital. These investors want to understand your strategy and they focus on long-term value creation rather than short-term trends (exhibit).

What is the FINRA red flag rule? ›

The Red Flags Rule requires specified firms to create a written Identity Theft Prevention Program (ITPP) designed to identify, detect and respond to “red flags”—patterns, practices or specific activities—that could indicate identity theft.

Can FINRA send you to jail? ›

FINRA itself cannot send a person to jail. However, certain conspiracies to defraud or subvert FINRA regulations can lead to federal prosecution and jail time.

What triggers a FINRA investigation? ›

FINRA investigations may be opened from various sources, including automated surveillance reports, examination findings, filings made with FINRA, customer complaints, tips, referrals from other regulators or other FINRA departments and press reports. As a policy, FINRA's investigations are confidential.

What are the violations of the investment Advisers Act? ›

Common Violations of the Advisers Act

inadequate written policies and procedures; inadequate or incomplete regulatory fillings; failure to maintain required books and records; fraud and theft of assets; and.

What are the consequences for violating securities laws? ›

SEC Sanctions and Penalties
  • Disgorge, or pay back, ill-gotten gains in order to return the funds to harmed investors;
  • Pay civil monetary penalties (see the calculation of civil monetary penalties); and.
  • Pay interest (prejudgement and potentially postjudgement).

What are the three most common types of violations that are punished by the Securities and Exchange Commission? ›

Theft of money or securities. Insider trading. Manipulation of investment prices. Making false or misleading statements about a company, including in SEC filings.

What happens if someone lies about being an accredited investor? ›

What Happens if You Lie About Being an Accredited Investor? If you lie about being an accredited investor, the blame usually falls on the fund or investment vehicle as it is their responsibility to determine your qualifications. In certain regions, non-accredited investors also have the right to rescission.

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