Industry Issues
Advertising Information
Advertising Regulation Conference
FINRA's annual Advertising Regulation Conference takes place on October 21-22, 2009 in Washington, DC and provides practical guidance on compliance with advertising rules and regulations for communications with the public.
FINRA provides assistance to members in preparing compliant sales communications and complying with the filing requirements.
- Communications with the Public – Classroom Learning
- Compliance Considerations for Social Networking Sites Webinar - Live December 16, 2009
- What to Expect: Filing Communications for FINRA Review - Webcast
- Communications with the Public: What a Registered Representative Should Know - Webcast
- Guide to the Internet for Registered Representatives
- Online Advertising Report
- Advertising Regulation Electronic Files
- SIPC Information
- 529 College Savings Plans
- Member Alerts
- Regulatory & Compliance Alert Article Reference Guide
- Member Update - NASD Review of Hedge Fund Advertising Results in Formal Action
- Notices
- News Releases
- Interpretive Letters
- Investor Alerts
Advertising Regulation Information Guide
This information is provided to assist members in preparing compliant sales communications and complying with the filing requirements. Access the various rules governing sales communications, learn about the filing requirements and procedures and how to use the forms provided to simplify the review process. Information on FINRA publications including explanatory articles on some advertising rule applications are also available.
Advertising Regulation Filing Forms:
- Filing Cover Sheet (PDF 33 KB)
- Credit Card Processing Sheet (PDF 18 KB)
- Advertising Regulation Filing Fee Information
- Wire Transfer Instructions (PDF 14 KB)
Advertising & Sales Literature Rules Reference Guide
In reviewing member advertising and sales literature, the Advertising Regulation Department staff generally refers to FINRA, Municipal Securities Rulemaking Board (MSRB), and SEC advertising rules and guidelines. Following is a list of applicable rules and regulations frequently cited by the Advertising Regulation Department.
- NASD Rules 2210, IM-2210-1, IM-2210-2, IM-2210-3, IM-2210-4, IM-2210-5, IM-2210-7, IM-2210-8, 2211, 2212, 2220, 2341, 2350, 2361, 2711, 3010, and 8210
- The NASD Conduct Rules can be found in the online NASD Manual. After accessing the NASD Manual, click on Conduct Rules [2000 - 3410] in the left-hand frame.
- The NASD Conduct Rules can be found in the online NASD Manual. After accessing the NASD Manual, click on Conduct Rules [2000 - 3410] in the left-hand frame.
- SEC Rules 134, 135A, 482, 34b-1, and 156
- SEC Rules can be found in the online NASD Manual. After accessing the NASD Manual, click on SEC Rules and Regulation T in the left-hand frame.
- SEC Rules can be found in the online NASD Manual. After accessing the NASD Manual, click on SEC Rules and Regulation T in the left-hand frame.
- MSRB Rule G-21
- SIPC By-Laws Article 11, Section 4
- Recommendations Concerning Advertising and Promotion of Commission Discounts
Podcasts (Advertising-Related)
June 18, 2009
Psychology of a Scam
Listen Now/Download | 8 min. 7 sec.
FINRA Investor Education staff explain the psychological tactics fraudsters use and ways to guard against them.
May 18, 2009
MSRB Supervision Rules
Listen Now/Download | 15 min. 40 sec.
This podcast, the audio version of a FINRA webcast, provides an overview of municipal securities supervision requirements.
March 16, 2009
Cash Alternatives
8 min. 4 sec. | Listen Now/Download
FINRA staff discuss sales practice obligations relating to investments sold as an alternative to cash.
March 10, 2009
Electronic Communications: Social Networking Web Sites
6 min. 11 sec. | Listen Now/Download
This podcast, the last in a three-part series on supervising electronic communications, discusses how registered representatives' use of social networking Web sites to communicate firm business relates to FINRA's rules regarding communications with the public.
February 23, 2009
Electronic Communications: Blogs, Bulletin Boards and Chat Rooms
6 min. 2 sec. | Listen Now/Download
This podcast, the second of three on supervising electronic communications, discusses the application of FINRA's communication with the public rules for blogs, bulletin boards and chat rooms.
February 17, 2009
High Yield Environment Instruments
4 min. 36 sec. | Listen Now/Download
FINRA staff discuss firms' obligations related to the sale of bond funds, corporate bonds, structured products and non-conventional instruments in a high-yield environment.
February 9, 2009
Electronic Communications: Web Sites
7 min. 43 sec. | Listen Now/Download
This podcast, the first of three on electronic communications, offers suggestions for supervising employee use of Web sites and explains how FINRA's rules relate to this activity.
November 20, 2008
"Free Lunch" Investment Seminars—Avoiding the Heartburn of a Hard Sell
7 min. 6 sec. | Listen Now/Download
Investors frequently get invited to free seminars that promise to educate them about investing strategies or managing money in retirement—often with an expensive meal provided at no cost. But just because someone buys you breakfast, lunch or dinner doesn't mean you have to buy what they are saying—or selling.
October 20, 2008
Structured Products
12 min. 26 sec. | Listen Now/Download
This podcast, the audio version of a FINRA webcast, focuses on structured products and the features in these products that may not be easily understood by registered representatives
September 29, 2008
Conflicts of Interest
6 min. 38 sec. | Listen Now/Download
This podcast, the audio version of a FINRA webcast, focuses on how to identify and handle many conflicts of interest that can occur in the securities industry.
September 15, 2008
Filing Communications for FINRA Review
18 min. 56 sec. | Listen Now/Download
This podcast explains in plain English what to expect when filing communications with FINRA's Advertising Regulation department
September 9, 2008
Public Offerings of DPPs and REITs
14 min. 28 sec. | Listen Now/Download
FINRA staff members discuss new amendments to FINRA's rule on direct participation programs and real estate investment trusts.
August 25, 2008
Private Placements
11 min. 36 sec. | Listen Now/Download
This podcast, the audio version of a FINRA webcast, discusses private and public securities offerings that do not require registration under federal securities laws.
July 21, 2008
Variable Annuities
9 min. 11 sec. | Listen Now/Download
FINRA Chief of Enforcement Susan Merrill discusses variable annuities
June 9, 2008
Foreign Research Analyst Exemption
3 min. 46 sec. | Listen Now/Download
FINRA staff discuss a new exemption from the Research Analyst Qualification Exam for foreign research analysts
May 27, 2008
Third-Party Research Reports
4 min. 35 sec. | Listen Now/Download
This podcast describes a recent rule change related to firms' distribution and supervision of third-party research reports.
May 20, 2008
The FINRA Rulemaking Process
10 min. 55 sec. | Listen Now/Download
This podcast, the audio version of a webcast developed for the "What to Expect" series, focuses on FINRA's rulemaking process.
April 28, 2008
Principal Approval of Sales Material
5 min. 9 sec. | Listen Now/Download
A review of a new exception to the principal approval requirements for some sales material that firms file.
April 8, 2008
Electronic Communications: Reviewing Correspondence
8 min. 39 sec. | Listen Now/Download
Methods firms should consider when reviewing electronic correspondence and developing related procedures.
March 17, 2008
Electronic Communications: What and Who
7 min. 47 sec. | Listen Now/Download
This podcast presents guidance on what electronic communications your firm's policies and procedures will permit employees to use and who will be responsible for supervisory review.
February 26, 2008
Variable Annuities: Requirements for Representatives
9 min. 51 sec. | Listen Now/Download
Registered Representatives' responsibilities when recommending variable annuities are the focus of this podcast, the audio version of a webcast for frontline staff.
February 19, 2008
Electronic Communications: Introduction to Supervision
4 min. 33 sec. | Listen Now/Download
This podcast presents guidance on designing procedures for reviewing electronic communications.
February 11, 2008
Protecting Senior Investors
6 min. 10 sec. | Listen Now/Download
Mary Schapiro discusses one of FINRA's top priorities: protecting senior investors from fraud.
Webcasts (Advertising-Related)
- What to Expect: The FINRA Rulemaking Process
- What to Expect: Filing Communications for FINRA Review
- 529 Savings Plans: The In-State Versus Out-of-State Decision
- Bond Sales Practices: Key Risks to Consider
- Communications with the Public: What a Registered Representative Should Know
- Conflicts of Interest – Published September 29, 2008
- Considerations for Working with Seniors
- Customer Suitability Considerations
- Debt Mark-ups – Published July 28, 2008
- Equity-Indexed Annuities Considerations
- Life Settlements
- Mutual Fund Breakpoints
- New Products Suitability Considerations
- Private Placements – Published August 25, 2008
- Structured Products – Published October 20, 2008
- Suitability Issues: An Institutional Focus
- Suitability Issues: Considerations for Product Exchanges
- Supervisory Considerations for Working with Seniors – Published January 29, 2008
- Variable Annuities: Requirements for Supervisors – Published February 26, 2008
- Variable Annuities: Requirements for Representatives – Published February 26, 2008
- Variable Annuities: Suitability Issues
E-Learning Courses (Advertising-Related)
- 529 College Savings Plans Sales Practices (ELC122)
- Communications with the Public: An Introduction to Compliance Issues (ELC124)
- Conflicts of Interest (VLC007)
- Hedge Funds: Understanding Sales Practice Responsibilities (ELC118)
- Mutual Funds Sales Practice: Share Classes and Breakpoints (ELC123)
- Private Placements (VLC010)
- Retail Branch Office Supervision: Compliance with Regulations (ELC126)
- Retail Branch Office Supervision: Understanding Supervisory Responsibilities (ELC127)
- Retail Supervision: Sales to Senior Investors (ELC139)
- Senior Investor Suitability Considerations (ELC134)
- Structured Products (VLC011)
- Supervision: Obligations for Firms with Institutional Clients (ELC116)
- Supervisory Considerations for Working with Seniors (VLC002)
- Suitability Issues: Considerations for Product Exchanges (VLC003)
- Suitability Issues: An Institutional Focus (VLC012)
- Variable Annuities: Requirements for Representatives (VLC004)
- Variable Annuities: Requirements for Supervisors (VLC005)
- Variable Annuities: Sales Practice Issues for 1035 Exchanges (ELC119)
- Variable Annuities: Suitability and Disclosure for New Purchases (ELC113)
Relevant Quick Links:
Advertising Regulation Contact Information
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Telephone: |
(240) 386-4500 |
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Fax: |
(240) 386-4568 |
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Address: |
FINRA |
