Examinations are a cornerstone of FINRA's regulatory oversight, but how we conduct them is evolving. As part of FINRA Forward, we're making our approach more risk-informed, more efficient, and more transparent.
On this episode, J. Koutros, Senior Vice President of Member Supervision, Operations, Procedures, and Standards, Jim Reese, Senior Vice President of Examinations, and John Martino, Vice President of Examinations explore the changes reshaping FINRA's examination program: streamlined first firm exams for lower-risk firms, extended exam cycles where warranted, more targeted data requests, and advance notice about exam timing. The guests also look ahead to new technology, enhanced transparency around preliminary findings, and the ongoing feedback that drives FINRA’s continuous improvement.
Resources mentioned in this episode:
<a href="https://www.finra.org/rules-guidance/key-topics/finra-examination-risk-monitoring-programs" rel="noopener noreferrer">FINRA Examination and Risk Monitoring Programs</a>
<a href="https://edit.acquia.finra.org/media-center/finra-unscripted/how-finra-is-streamlining-data-requests" rel="noopener noreferrer">Ep. 185: How FINRA is Streamlining Data Requests</a>
<a href="https://www.finra.org/sites/default/files/2026-04/FINRA-Forward-A-Year-of-Progress.pdf" rel="noopener noreferrer">FINRA Forward: A Year of Progress</a>
<a href="https://www.finra.org/about/finra-forward?utm_source=fun&utm_medium=pod&utm_campaign=ff&utm_content=marchfun26" rel="noopener noreferrer">FINRA Forward</a>
<a href="https://www.finra.org/rules-guidance/rulemaking-process/regulatory-policy-agenda?utm_source=fun&utm_medium=pod&utm_content=marchfun26" rel="noopener noreferrer">FINRA Quarterly Regulatory Policy Agenda</a>
<a href="https://www.finra.org/media-center/blog/finra-forward-rule-modernization-update?utm_source=fun&utm_medium=pod&utm_campaign=ff&utm_content=marchfun26" rel="noopener noreferrer">Blog Post: FINRA Forward’s Rule Modernization—An Update</a>
<a href="https://www.finra.org/media-center/blog/vendors-intelligence-sharing-and-finras-mission?utm_source=fun&utm_medium=pod&utm_campaign=ff&utm_content=marchfun26" rel="noopener noreferrer">Blog Post: Vendors, Intelligence Sharing and FINRA’s Mission</a>
<a href="https://www.finra.org/media-center/blog/new-finra-initiatives-support-members-markets-and-investors-they-serve?utm_source=fun&utm_medium=pod&utm_campaign=ff&utm_content=marchfun26" rel="noopener noreferrer">Blog Post: FINRA Forward Initiatives to Support Members, Markets and the Investors They Serve</a>
<a href="https://www.finra.org/media-center/blog/a-progress-update-on-rule-modernization?utm_source=fun&utm_medium=pod&utm_campaign=ff&utm_content=marchfun26" rel="noopener noreferrer">Blog Post: A Progress Update on Rule Modernization</a>
Find us:&nbsp; <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/1342448">LinkedIn</a> / <a href="https://twitter.com/FINRA">X</a> /&nbsp;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/@finra/podcasts">YouTube</a> / <a href="https://www.facebook.com/FinancialIndustryRegulatoryAuthority/">Facebook</a> /&nbsp;<a href="https://www.instagram.com/finraofficial/">Instagram</a> / <a href="mailto:FINRAUnscripted@finra.org">E-mail</a> Subscribe to our show on <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/podcasts/id153162007?mt=2">Apple Podcasts</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://play.google.com/music/m/I3uurvrey2imm4lxpwh6hlojdjm?t=FINRA_Unscripted">Google Play</a> and by <a href="http://feeds.finra.org/FINRACompliancePodcast?format=xml">RSS</a>.

<description>&lt;p&gt;Examinations are a cornerstone of FINRA's regulatory oversight, but how we conduct them is evolving. As part of FINRA Forward, we're making our approach more risk-informed, more efficient, and more transparent.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;On this episode, J. Koutros, Senior Vice President of Member Supervision, Operations, Procedures, and Standards, Jim Reese, Senior Vice President of Examinations, and John Martino, Vice President of Examinations explore the changes reshaping FINRA's examination program: streamlined first firm exams for lower-risk firms, extended exam cycles where warranted, more targeted data requests, and advance notice about exam timing. The guests also look ahead to new technology, enhanced transparency around preliminary findings, and the ongoing feedback that drives FINRA’s continuous improvement.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Resources mentioned in this episode:&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.finra.org/rules-guidance/key-topics/finra-examination-risk-monitoring-programs" rel="noopener noreferrer"&gt;FINRA Examination and Risk Monitoring Programs&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="https://edit.acquia.finra.org/media-center/finra-unscripted/how-finra-is-streamlining-data-requests" rel="noopener noreferrer"&gt;Ep. 185: How FINRA is Streamlining Data Requests&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.finra.org/sites/default/files/2026-04/FINRA-Forward-A-Year-of-Progress.pdf" rel="noopener noreferrer"&gt;FINRA Forward: A Year of Progress&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.finra.org/about/finra-forward?utm_source=fun&amp;utm_medium=pod&amp;utm_campaign=ff&amp;utm_content=marchfun26" rel="noopener noreferrer"&gt;FINRA Forward&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.finra.org/rules-guidance/rulemaking-process/regulatory-policy-agenda?utm_source=fun&amp;utm_medium=pod&amp;utm_content=marchfun26" rel="noopener noreferrer"&gt;FINRA Quarterly Regulatory Policy Agenda&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.finra.org/media-center/blog/finra-forward-rule-modernization-update?utm_source=fun&amp;utm_medium=pod&amp;utm_campaign=ff&amp;utm_content=marchfun26" rel="noopener noreferrer"&gt;Blog Post: FINRA Forward’s Rule Modernization—An Update&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.finra.org/media-center/blog/vendors-intelligence-sharing-and-finras-mission?utm_source=fun&amp;utm_medium=pod&amp;utm_campaign=ff&amp;utm_content=marchfun26" rel="noopener noreferrer"&gt;Blog Post: Vendors, Intelligence Sharing and FINRA’s Mission&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.finra.org/media-center/blog/new-finra-initiatives-support-members-markets-and-investors-they-serve?utm_source=fun&amp;utm_medium=pod&amp;utm_campaign=ff&amp;utm_content=marchfun26" rel="noopener noreferrer"&gt;Blog Post: FINRA Forward Initiatives to Support Members, Markets and the Investors They Serve&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.finra.org/media-center/blog/a-progress-update-on-rule-modernization?utm_source=fun&amp;utm_medium=pod&amp;utm_campaign=ff&amp;utm_content=marchfun26" rel="noopener noreferrer"&gt;Blog Post: A Progress Update on Rule Modernization&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;i&gt;Find us:&amp;nbsp; &lt;/i&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/1342448"&gt;LinkedIn&lt;/a&gt;&lt;i&gt; / &lt;/i&gt;&lt;a href="https://twitter.com/FINRA"&gt;X&lt;/a&gt;&lt;i&gt; &lt;/i&gt;/&amp;nbsp;&lt;a href="https://www.youtube.com/@finra/podcasts"&gt;YouTube&lt;/a&gt; / &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/FinancialIndustryRegulatoryAuthority/"&gt;Facebook&lt;/a&gt; /&amp;nbsp;&lt;a href="https://www.instagram.com/finraofficial/"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Instagram&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/a&gt; / &lt;a href="mailto:FINRAUnscripted@finra.org"&gt;E-mail&lt;/a&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;i&gt;Subscribe to our show on &lt;/i&gt;&lt;a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/podcasts/id153162007?mt=2"&gt;Apple Podcasts&lt;/a&gt;,&amp;nbsp;&lt;a href="https://play.google.com/music/m/I3uurvrey2imm4lxpwh6hlojdjm?t=FINRA_Unscripted"&gt;Google Play&lt;/a&gt;&lt;i&gt; and by &lt;/i&gt;&lt;a href="http://feeds.finra.org/FINRACompliancePodcast?format=xml"&gt;RSS&lt;/a&gt;.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/p&gt;</description>

On this episode of FINRA Unscripted, find out how FINRA is enhancing firm examinations through streamlined first firm exams, extended cycles for lower-risk firms, targeted data requests, and advance exam notices. Learn how these changes improve efficiency while maintaining robust investor protection and market oversight.

How FINRA Is Enhancing Member Firm Examinations

Every time you check a stock price on your phone or watch a ticker scroll across a screen, you are seeing the result of a complex reporting system most investors never think about. Behind that number is a vast infrastructure capturing and consolidating trades from exchanges and over-the-counter markets in milliseconds—and that system is undergoing major enhancements.
On this episode, Chris Stone, FINRA Vice President, Transparency Services, takes us inside the systems that make market transparency possible. Stone explains how FINRA recently extended trade reporting hours to 4 a.m. ET, why the industry is preparing for 23-hour, 5-day-a-week trading by December 2026, and how FINRA’s recently implemented fractional share reporting is eliminating what researchers called "phantom volume."
Resources mentioned in this episode:
<a href="https://www.finra.org/filing-reporting/trade-reporting-facility-trf" rel="noopener noreferrer">Trade Reporting Facility (TRF)</a>
<a href="https://www.finra.org/rules-guidance/notices/25-15" rel="noopener noreferrer">Reg. Notice 25-15: FINRA Adopts Amendments to Extend the Trade Reporting Facilities Operating Hours</a>
<a href="https://www.finra.org/rules-guidance/notices/trade-reporting-notice-20260114" rel="noopener noreferrer">Trade Reporting Notice 1/14/26: Upcoming Trade Reporting Enhancements for Fractional Share Transactions</a>
<a href="https://www.finra.org/about/finra-forward?utm_source=fun&utm_medium=pod&utm_campaign=ff&utm_content=marchfun26" rel="noopener noreferrer">FINRA Forward</a>
<a href="https://www.finra.org/media-center/blog/finra-forward-rule-modernization-update?utm_source=fun&utm_medium=pod&utm_campaign=ff&utm_content=marchfun26" rel="noopener noreferrer">Blog Post: FINRA Forward’s Rule Modernization—An Update</a>
<a href="https://www.finra.org/media-center/blog/vendors-intelligence-sharing-and-finras-mission?utm_source=fun&utm_medium=pod&utm_campaign=ff&utm_content=marchfun26" rel="noopener noreferrer">Blog Post: Vendors, Intelligence Sharing and FINRA’s Mission</a>
<a href="https://www.finra.org/media-center/blog/new-finra-initiatives-support-members-markets-and-investors-they-serve?utm_source=fun&utm_medium=pod&utm_campaign=ff&utm_content=marchfun26" rel="noopener noreferrer">Blog Post: FINRA Forward Initiatives to Support Members, Markets and the Investors They Serve</a>
<a href="https://www.finra.org/media-center/blog/a-progress-update-on-rule-modernization?utm_source=fun&utm_medium=pod&utm_campaign=ff&utm_content=marchfun26" rel="noopener noreferrer">Blog Post: A Progress Update on Rule Modernization</a>
Find us:&nbsp; <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/1342448">LinkedIn</a> / <a href="https://twitter.com/FINRA">X</a> /&nbsp;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/@finra/podcasts">YouTube</a> / <a href="https://www.facebook.com/FinancialIndustryRegulatoryAuthority/">Facebook</a> /&nbsp;<a href="https://www.instagram.com/finraofficial/">Instagram</a> / <a href="mailto:FINRAUnscripted@finra.org">E-mail</a> Subscribe to our show on <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/podcasts/id153162007?mt=2">Apple Podcasts</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://play.google.com/music/m/I3uurvrey2imm4lxpwh6hlojdjm?t=FINRA_Unscripted">Google Play</a> and by <a href="http://feeds.finra.org/FINRACompliancePodcast?format=xml">RSS</a>.

<description>&lt;p&gt;Every time you check a stock price on your phone or watch a ticker scroll across a screen, you are seeing the result of a complex reporting system most investors never think about. Behind that number is a vast infrastructure capturing and consolidating trades from exchanges and over-the-counter markets in milliseconds—and that system is undergoing major enhancements.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;On this episode, Chris Stone, FINRA Vice President, Transparency Services, takes us inside the systems that make market transparency possible. Stone explains how FINRA recently extended trade reporting hours to 4 a.m. ET, why the industry is preparing for 23-hour, 5-day-a-week trading by December 2026, and how FINRA’s recently implemented fractional share reporting is eliminating what researchers called "phantom volume."&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Resources mentioned in this episode:&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.finra.org/filing-reporting/trade-reporting-facility-trf" rel="noopener noreferrer"&gt;Trade Reporting Facility (TRF)&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.finra.org/rules-guidance/notices/25-15" rel="noopener noreferrer"&gt;Reg. Notice 25-15: FINRA Adopts Amendments to Extend the Trade Reporting Facilities Operating Hours&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.finra.org/rules-guidance/notices/trade-reporting-notice-20260114" rel="noopener noreferrer"&gt;Trade Reporting Notice 1/14/26: Upcoming Trade Reporting Enhancements for Fractional Share Transactions&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.finra.org/about/finra-forward?utm_source=fun&amp;utm_medium=pod&amp;utm_campaign=ff&amp;utm_content=marchfun26" rel="noopener noreferrer"&gt;FINRA Forward&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.finra.org/media-center/blog/finra-forward-rule-modernization-update?utm_source=fun&amp;utm_medium=pod&amp;utm_campaign=ff&amp;utm_content=marchfun26" rel="noopener noreferrer"&gt;Blog Post: FINRA Forward’s Rule Modernization—An Update&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.finra.org/media-center/blog/vendors-intelligence-sharing-and-finras-mission?utm_source=fun&amp;utm_medium=pod&amp;utm_campaign=ff&amp;utm_content=marchfun26" rel="noopener noreferrer"&gt;Blog Post: Vendors, Intelligence Sharing and FINRA’s Mission&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.finra.org/media-center/blog/new-finra-initiatives-support-members-markets-and-investors-they-serve?utm_source=fun&amp;utm_medium=pod&amp;utm_campaign=ff&amp;utm_content=marchfun26" rel="noopener noreferrer"&gt;Blog Post: FINRA Forward Initiatives to Support Members, Markets and the Investors They Serve&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.finra.org/media-center/blog/a-progress-update-on-rule-modernization?utm_source=fun&amp;utm_medium=pod&amp;utm_campaign=ff&amp;utm_content=marchfun26" rel="noopener noreferrer"&gt;Blog Post: A Progress Update on Rule Modernization&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;i&gt;Find us:&amp;nbsp; &lt;/i&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/1342448"&gt;LinkedIn&lt;/a&gt;&lt;i&gt; / &lt;/i&gt;&lt;a href="https://twitter.com/FINRA"&gt;X&lt;/a&gt;&lt;i&gt; &lt;/i&gt;/&amp;nbsp;&lt;a href="https://www.youtube.com/@finra/podcasts"&gt;YouTube&lt;/a&gt; / &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/FinancialIndustryRegulatoryAuthority/"&gt;Facebook&lt;/a&gt; /&amp;nbsp;&lt;a href="https://www.instagram.com/finraofficial/"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Instagram&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/a&gt; / &lt;a href="mailto:FINRAUnscripted@finra.org"&gt;E-mail&lt;/a&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;i&gt;Subscribe to our show on &lt;/i&gt;&lt;a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/podcasts/id153162007?mt=2"&gt;Apple Podcasts&lt;/a&gt;,&amp;nbsp;&lt;a href="https://play.google.com/music/m/I3uurvrey2imm4lxpwh6hlojdjm?t=FINRA_Unscripted"&gt;Google Play&lt;/a&gt;&lt;i&gt; and by &lt;/i&gt;&lt;a href="http://feeds.finra.org/FINRACompliancePodcast?format=xml"&gt;RSS&lt;/a&gt;.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/p&gt;</description>

On this episode of FINRA Unscripted, we go behind the scenes of the market infrastructure most investors never see—from 4 a.m. trading windows to 23/5 operations and fractional shares—and learn why accurate trade reporting and transparency matter for everyone.

Trading Around the Clock: Inside FINRA's Trade Reporting Enhancements

Data is at the heart of everything we do at FINRA—from examining firms to detecting suspicious trading to protecting investors. But the process of requesting, gathering, and analyzing data involves significant effort across the board.
So, the question is: How do we work smarter? How do we use technology and collaboration to be more targeted in what we ask for, more efficient in how we use it, and more effective in the oversight we provide?
On this episode, Sam Draddy, Senior Vice President of Surveillance and Market Intelligence, and J. Koutros, Senior Vice President of Member Supervision Operations, Procedures, and Standards, explore how FINRA's approach to data requests is evolving. This effort embodies <a href="https://www.finra.org/about/finra-forward?utm_source=fun&utm_medium=pod&utm_campaign=ff&utm_content=marchfun26" rel="noopener noreferrer">FINRA Forward</a>, our commitment to continuous improvement, regulatory efficiency, and reducing burden while strengthening investor protection and market integrity.
Resources mentioned in this episode:
<a href="https://www.finra.org/rules-guidance/rulebooks/finra-rules/8210?utm_source=fun&utm_medium=pod&utm_content=marchfun26" rel="noopener noreferrer">FINRA Rule 8210</a>
<a href="https://www.finra.org/filing-reporting/electronic-blue-sheets-ebs?utm_source=fun&utm_medium=pod&utm_content=marchfun26" rel="noopener noreferrer">Electronic Blue Sheets (EBS)</a>
<a href="https://www.finra.org/rules-guidance/rulemaking-process/regulatory-policy-agenda?utm_source=fun&utm_medium=pod&utm_content=marchfun26" rel="noopener noreferrer">FINRA Quarterly Regulatory Policy Agenda</a>
<a href="https://www.finra.org/about/finra-forward?utm_source=fun&utm_medium=pod&utm_campaign=ff&utm_content=marchfun26" rel="noopener noreferrer">FINRA Forward</a>
<a href="https://www.finra.org/media-center/blog/finra-forward-rule-modernization-update?utm_source=fun&utm_medium=pod&utm_campaign=ff&utm_content=marchfun26" rel="noopener noreferrer">Blog Post: FINRA Forward’s Rule Modernization—An Update</a>
<a href="https://www.finra.org/media-center/blog/vendors-intelligence-sharing-and-finras-mission?utm_source=fun&utm_medium=pod&utm_campaign=ff&utm_content=marchfun26" rel="noopener noreferrer">Blog Post: Vendors, Intelligence Sharing and FINRA’s Mission</a>
<a href="https://www.finra.org/media-center/blog/new-finra-initiatives-support-members-markets-and-investors-they-serve?utm_source=fun&utm_medium=pod&utm_campaign=ff&utm_content=marchfun26" rel="noopener noreferrer">Blog Post: FINRA Forward Initiatives to Support Members, Markets and the Investors They Serve</a>
<a href="https://www.finra.org/media-center/blog/a-progress-update-on-rule-modernization?utm_source=fun&utm_medium=pod&utm_campaign=ff&utm_content=marchfun26" rel="noopener noreferrer">Blog Post: A Progress Update on Rule Modernization</a>
Find us:&nbsp; <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/1342448">LinkedIn</a> / <a href="https://twitter.com/FINRA">X</a> /&nbsp;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/@finra/podcasts">YouTube</a> / <a href="https://www.facebook.com/FinancialIndustryRegulatoryAuthority/">Facebook</a> /&nbsp;<a href="https://www.instagram.com/finraofficial/">Instagram</a> / <a href="mailto:FINRAUnscripted@finra.org">E-mail</a> Subscribe to our show on <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/podcasts/id153162007?mt=2">Apple Podcasts</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://play.google.com/music/m/I3uurvrey2imm4lxpwh6hlojdjm?t=FINRA_Unscripted">Google Play</a> and by <a href="http://feeds.finra.org/FINRACompliancePodcast?format=xml">RSS</a>.

<description>&lt;p&gt;Data is at the heart of everything we do at FINRA—from examining firms to detecting suspicious trading to protecting investors. But the process of requesting, gathering, and analyzing data involves significant effort across the board.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;So, the question is: How do we work smarter? How do we use technology and collaboration to be more targeted in what we ask for, more efficient in how we use it, and more effective in the oversight we provide?&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;On this episode, Sam Draddy, Senior Vice President of Surveillance and Market Intelligence, and J. Koutros, Senior Vice President of Member Supervision Operations, Procedures, and Standards, explore how FINRA's approach to data requests is evolving. This effort embodies &lt;a href="https://www.finra.org/about/finra-forward?utm_source=fun&amp;utm_medium=pod&amp;utm_campaign=ff&amp;utm_content=marchfun26" rel="noopener noreferrer"&gt;FINRA Forward&lt;/a&gt;, our commitment to continuous improvement, regulatory efficiency, and reducing burden while strengthening investor protection and market integrity.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Resources mentioned in this episode:&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.finra.org/rules-guidance/rulebooks/finra-rules/8210?utm_source=fun&amp;utm_medium=pod&amp;utm_content=marchfun26" rel="noopener noreferrer"&gt;FINRA Rule 8210&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.finra.org/filing-reporting/electronic-blue-sheets-ebs?utm_source=fun&amp;utm_medium=pod&amp;utm_content=marchfun26" rel="noopener noreferrer"&gt;Electronic Blue Sheets (EBS)&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.finra.org/rules-guidance/rulemaking-process/regulatory-policy-agenda?utm_source=fun&amp;utm_medium=pod&amp;utm_content=marchfun26" rel="noopener noreferrer"&gt;FINRA Quarterly Regulatory Policy Agenda&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.finra.org/about/finra-forward?utm_source=fun&amp;utm_medium=pod&amp;utm_campaign=ff&amp;utm_content=marchfun26" rel="noopener noreferrer"&gt;FINRA Forward&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.finra.org/media-center/blog/finra-forward-rule-modernization-update?utm_source=fun&amp;utm_medium=pod&amp;utm_campaign=ff&amp;utm_content=marchfun26" rel="noopener noreferrer"&gt;Blog Post: FINRA Forward’s Rule Modernization—An Update&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.finra.org/media-center/blog/vendors-intelligence-sharing-and-finras-mission?utm_source=fun&amp;utm_medium=pod&amp;utm_campaign=ff&amp;utm_content=marchfun26" rel="noopener noreferrer"&gt;Blog Post: Vendors, Intelligence Sharing and FINRA’s Mission&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.finra.org/media-center/blog/new-finra-initiatives-support-members-markets-and-investors-they-serve?utm_source=fun&amp;utm_medium=pod&amp;utm_campaign=ff&amp;utm_content=marchfun26" rel="noopener noreferrer"&gt;Blog Post: FINRA Forward Initiatives to Support Members, Markets and the Investors They Serve&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.finra.org/media-center/blog/a-progress-update-on-rule-modernization?utm_source=fun&amp;utm_medium=pod&amp;utm_campaign=ff&amp;utm_content=marchfun26" rel="noopener noreferrer"&gt;Blog Post: A Progress Update on Rule Modernization&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;i&gt;Find us:&amp;nbsp; &lt;/i&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/1342448"&gt;LinkedIn&lt;/a&gt;&lt;i&gt; / &lt;/i&gt;&lt;a href="https://twitter.com/FINRA"&gt;X&lt;/a&gt;&lt;i&gt; &lt;/i&gt;/&amp;nbsp;&lt;a href="https://www.youtube.com/@finra/podcasts"&gt;YouTube&lt;/a&gt; / &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/FinancialIndustryRegulatoryAuthority/"&gt;Facebook&lt;/a&gt; /&amp;nbsp;&lt;a href="https://www.instagram.com/finraofficial/"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Instagram&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/a&gt; / &lt;a href="mailto:FINRAUnscripted@finra.org"&gt;E-mail&lt;/a&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;i&gt;Subscribe to our show on &lt;/i&gt;&lt;a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/podcasts/id153162007?mt=2"&gt;Apple Podcasts&lt;/a&gt;,&amp;nbsp;&lt;a href="https://play.google.com/music/m/I3uurvrey2imm4lxpwh6hlojdjm?t=FINRA_Unscripted"&gt;Google Play&lt;/a&gt;&lt;i&gt; and by &lt;/i&gt;&lt;a href="http://feeds.finra.org/FINRACompliancePodcast?format=xml"&gt;RSS&lt;/a&gt;.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/p&gt;</description>

On this episode of FINRA Unscripted, discover how data drives securities oversight at every level, from firm examinations to suspicious trading detection. FINRA leaders discuss evolving approaches to data requests, using technology and collaboration to work smarter, reduce regulatory burden, and strengthen investor protection.

How FINRA Is Streamlining Data Requests

Financial security is about more than just building wealth: It's about resilience, preparation, and having the tools to weather whatever comes your way. And right now, with rising costs, market volatility, and evolving fraud risks, investors need that security more than ever. On this episode, FINRA Investor Education Foundation President and Senior Vice President of Investor Education Gerri Walsh discusses what financial security really means in 2026, and how firms can help protect and empower their customers. This conversation sits at the heart of FINRA Forward, our commitment to evolving alongside the rapidly changing securities industry in support of our mission of protecting investors and market integrity.Resources mentioned in this episode:<a href="https://brokercheck.finra.org/">BrokerCheck</a><a href="https://finra-markets.morningstar.com/MarketData/Default.jsp?sdkVersion=2.62.9">Market Data Center</a><a href="https://tools.finra.org/fund_analyzer/">Fund Analyzer</a><a href="https://www.finra.org/finra-data/fixed-income">Fixed Income Data</a><a href="https://www.finrafoundation.org/">FINRA Investor Education Foundation</a><a href="https://www.finrafoundation.org/protecting-consumers-fraud">Protecting Consumers from Fraud</a><a href="https://www.finra.org/about/finra-forward">FINRA Forward</a><a href="https://www.finra.org/media-center/blog/finra-forward-rule-modernization-update">Blog Post: FINRA Forward’s Rule Modernization—An Update</a><a href="https://www.finra.org/media-center/blog/vendors-intelligence-sharing-and-finras-mission">Blog Post: Vendors, Intelligence Sharing and FINRA’s Mission</a><a href="https://www.finra.org/media-center/blog/new-finra-initiatives-support-members-markets-and-investors-they-serve">Blog Post: FINRA Forward Initiatives to Support Members, Markets and the Investors They Serve</a><a href="https://www.finra.org/media-center/finra-unscripted/investing-wisely-in-2025-avoiding-scams-and-achieving-your-financial-goals">Ep. 168: Investing Wisely in 2025: Avoiding Scams and Achieving Your Financial Goals</a><a href="https://www.finra.org/media-center/finra-unscripted/investors-in-the-united-states-key-trends-and-insights-from-the-national-financial-capability-study">Ep. 183: Investors in the United States: Key Trends and Insights from the National Financial Capability Study</a>
Find us:&nbsp; <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/1342448">LinkedIn</a> / <a href="https://twitter.com/FINRA">X</a> /&nbsp;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/@finra/podcasts">YouTube</a> / <a href="https://www.facebook.com/FinancialIndustryRegulatoryAuthority/">Facebook</a> /&nbsp;<a href="https://www.instagram.com/finraofficial/">Instagram</a> / <a href="mailto:FINRAUnscripted@finra.org">E-mail</a> Subscribe to our show on <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/podcasts/id153162007?mt=2">Apple Podcasts</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://play.google.com/music/m/I3uurvrey2imm4lxpwh6hlojdjm?t=FINRA_Unscripted">Google Play</a> and by <a href="http://feeds.finra.org/FINRACompliancePodcast?format=xml">RSS</a>.

<description>&lt;p&gt;Financial security is about more than just building wealth: It's about resilience, preparation, and having the tools to weather whatever comes your way. And right now, with rising costs, market volatility, and evolving fraud risks, investors need that security more than ever. &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;On this episode, FINRA Investor Education Foundation President and Senior Vice President of Investor Education Gerri Walsh discusses what financial security really means in 2026, and how firms can help protect and empower their customers. This conversation sits at the heart of FINRA Forward, our commitment to evolving alongside the rapidly changing securities industry in support of our mission of protecting investors and market integrity.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Resources mentioned in this episode:&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="https://brokercheck.finra.org/"&gt;BrokerCheck&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="https://finra-markets.morningstar.com/MarketData/Default.jsp?sdkVersion=2.62.9"&gt;Market Data Center&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="https://tools.finra.org/fund_analyzer/"&gt;Fund Analyzer&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.finra.org/finra-data/fixed-income"&gt;Fixed Income Data&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.finrafoundation.org/"&gt;FINRA Investor Education Foundation&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.finrafoundation.org/protecting-consumers-fraud"&gt;Protecting Consumers from Fraud&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.finra.org/about/finra-forward"&gt;FINRA Forward&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.finra.org/media-center/blog/finra-forward-rule-modernization-update"&gt;Blog Post: FINRA Forward’s Rule Modernization—An Update&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.finra.org/media-center/blog/vendors-intelligence-sharing-and-finras-mission"&gt;Blog Post: Vendors, Intelligence Sharing and FINRA’s Mission&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.finra.org/media-center/blog/new-finra-initiatives-support-members-markets-and-investors-they-serve"&gt;Blog Post: FINRA Forward Initiatives to Support Members, Markets and the Investors They Serve&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.finra.org/media-center/finra-unscripted/investing-wisely-in-2025-avoiding-scams-and-achieving-your-financial-goals"&gt;Ep. 168: Investing Wisely in 2025: Avoiding Scams and Achieving Your Financial Goals&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.finra.org/media-center/finra-unscripted/investors-in-the-united-states-key-trends-and-insights-from-the-national-financial-capability-study"&gt;Ep. 183: Investors in the United States: Key Trends and Insights from the National Financial Capability Study&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;i&gt;Find us:&amp;nbsp; &lt;/i&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/1342448"&gt;LinkedIn&lt;/a&gt;&lt;i&gt; / &lt;/i&gt;&lt;a href="https://twitter.com/FINRA"&gt;X&lt;/a&gt;&lt;i&gt; &lt;/i&gt;/&amp;nbsp;&lt;a href="https://www.youtube.com/@finra/podcasts"&gt;YouTube&lt;/a&gt; / &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/FinancialIndustryRegulatoryAuthority/"&gt;Facebook&lt;/a&gt; /&amp;nbsp;&lt;a href="https://www.instagram.com/finraofficial/"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Instagram&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/a&gt; / &lt;a href="mailto:FINRAUnscripted@finra.org"&gt;E-mail&lt;/a&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;i&gt;Subscribe to our show on &lt;/i&gt;&lt;a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/podcasts/id153162007?mt=2"&gt;Apple Podcasts&lt;/a&gt;,&amp;nbsp;&lt;a href="https://play.google.com/music/m/I3uurvrey2imm4lxpwh6hlojdjm?t=FINRA_Unscripted"&gt;Google Play&lt;/a&gt;&lt;i&gt; and by &lt;/i&gt;&lt;a href="http://feeds.finra.org/FINRACompliancePodcast?format=xml"&gt;RSS&lt;/a&gt;.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/p&gt;</description>

Financial security means more than wealth: it's about resilience and preparation. On this episode of FINRA Unscripted, FINRA’s Gerri Walsh discusses what financial security looks like in 2026, shares insights from recent investor research, and explains how firms can help protect and empower their customers.

Financial Security in 2026: Tips for Investors and How Firms Can Help

The FINRA Investor Education Foundation’s National Financial Capability Study is an expansive source of data and insights about the financial lives of U.S. adults. Conducted every three years, this wide-ranging research effort includes the Investor Survey, an in-depth exploration of the attitudes, behaviors, knowledge and experiences of retail investors across the country.In December, the FINRA Foundation published the latest iteration of the survey, titled "Investors in the United States: Results from the FINRA Foundation’s National Financial Capability Study." Drawing on responses from nearly 3,000 respondents in the U.S. with non-retirement investment accounts, the latest edition builds on previous Investor Survey reports, conducted every three years since 2015.On this episode of FINRA Unscripted, FINRA Foundation President Gerri Walsh, the Foundation's Research Director Gary Mottola, and Senior Researcher Olivia Valdes discuss the study's wide-ranging findings and implications.Resources mentioned in this episode:<a href="https://finrafoundation.org/national-financial-capability-study">The National Financial Capability Study</a> (NFCS)<a href="https://finrafoundation.org/sites/finrafoundation/files/2025-11/NFCS_Investor_Survey_Report_White_Paper.pdf">Investors in the United States A Report of the National Financial Capability Study</a><a href="https://finrafoundation.org/sites/finrafoundation/files/2025-07/NFCS-Report-Sixth-Edition-July-2025.pdf">State-by-State NFCS</a><a href="https://knowledgequiz.nga.finra.org/quiz/#!/">Investing Knowledge Quiz</a><a href="https://www.finra.org/media-center/finra-unscripted/nfcs-key-trends-and-insights">Ep. 176: National Financial Capability Study: Key Trends and Insights</a><a href="https://www.finrafoundation.org/sites/finrafoundation/files/2024-12/dont-know-finance-knowledge-brief.pdf">You Know More Than You Think: Unrealized Knowledge in “Don’t Know” Responses to Financial Knowledge Questions</a><a href="https://www.finra.org/sites/default/files/2025-12/2026-annual-regulatory-oversight-report.pdf">2026 FINRA Annual Regulatory Oversight Report</a><a href="https://brokercheck.finra.org/">BrokerCheck</a><a href="https://www.finra.org/rules-guidance/key-topics/social-media">Social Media Key Topics Page</a>
Find us:&nbsp; <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/1342448">LinkedIn</a> / <a href="https://twitter.com/FINRA">X</a> /&nbsp;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/@finra/podcasts">YouTube</a> / <a href="https://www.facebook.com/FinancialIndustryRegulatoryAuthority/">Facebook</a> /&nbsp;<a href="https://www.instagram.com/finraofficial/">Instagram</a> / <a href="mailto:FINRAUnscripted@finra.org">E-mail</a> Subscribe to our show on <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/podcasts/id153162007?mt=2">Apple Podcasts</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://play.google.com/music/m/I3uurvrey2imm4lxpwh6hlojdjm?t=FINRA_Unscripted">Google Play</a> and by <a href="http://feeds.finra.org/FINRACompliancePodcast?format=xml">RSS</a>.

<description>&lt;p&gt;The FINRA Investor Education Foundation’s National Financial Capability Study is an expansive source of data and insights about the financial lives of U.S. adults. Conducted every three years, this wide-ranging research effort includes the Investor Survey, an in-depth exploration of the attitudes, behaviors, knowledge and experiences of retail investors across the country.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;In December, the FINRA Foundation published the latest iteration of the survey, titled "Investors in the United States: Results from the FINRA Foundation’s National Financial Capability Study." Drawing on responses from nearly 3,000 respondents in the U.S. with non-retirement investment accounts, the latest edition builds on previous Investor Survey reports, conducted every three years since 2015.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;On this episode of FINRA Unscripted, FINRA Foundation President Gerri Walsh, the Foundation's Research Director Gary Mottola, and Senior Researcher Olivia Valdes discuss the study's wide-ranging findings and implications.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Resources mentioned in this episode:&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="https://finrafoundation.org/national-financial-capability-study"&gt;The National Financial Capability Study&lt;/a&gt; (NFCS)&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="https://finrafoundation.org/sites/finrafoundation/files/2025-11/NFCS_Investor_Survey_Report_White_Paper.pdf"&gt;Investors in the United States A Report of the National Financial Capability Study&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="https://finrafoundation.org/sites/finrafoundation/files/2025-07/NFCS-Report-Sixth-Edition-July-2025.pdf"&gt;State-by-State NFCS&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="https://knowledgequiz.nga.finra.org/quiz/#!/"&gt;Investing Knowledge Quiz&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.finra.org/media-center/finra-unscripted/nfcs-key-trends-and-insights"&gt;Ep. 176: National Financial Capability Study: Key Trends and Insights&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.finrafoundation.org/sites/finrafoundation/files/2024-12/dont-know-finance-knowledge-brief.pdf"&gt;You Know More Than You Think: Unrealized Knowledge in “Don’t Know” Responses to Financial Knowledge Questions&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.finra.org/sites/default/files/2025-12/2026-annual-regulatory-oversight-report.pdf"&gt;2026 FINRA Annual Regulatory Oversight Report&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="https://brokercheck.finra.org/"&gt;BrokerCheck&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.finra.org/rules-guidance/key-topics/social-media"&gt;Social Media Key Topics Page&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;i&gt;Find us:&amp;nbsp; &lt;/i&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/1342448"&gt;LinkedIn&lt;/a&gt;&lt;i&gt; / &lt;/i&gt;&lt;a href="https://twitter.com/FINRA"&gt;X&lt;/a&gt;&lt;i&gt; &lt;/i&gt;/&amp;nbsp;&lt;a href="https://www.youtube.com/@finra/podcasts"&gt;YouTube&lt;/a&gt; / &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/FinancialIndustryRegulatoryAuthority/"&gt;Facebook&lt;/a&gt; /&amp;nbsp;&lt;a href="https://www.instagram.com/finraofficial/"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Instagram&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/a&gt; / &lt;a href="mailto:FINRAUnscripted@finra.org"&gt;E-mail&lt;/a&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;i&gt;Subscribe to our show on &lt;/i&gt;&lt;a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/podcasts/id153162007?mt=2"&gt;Apple Podcasts&lt;/a&gt;,&amp;nbsp;&lt;a href="https://play.google.com/music/m/I3uurvrey2imm4lxpwh6hlojdjm?t=FINRA_Unscripted"&gt;Google Play&lt;/a&gt;&lt;i&gt; and by &lt;/i&gt;&lt;a href="http://feeds.finra.org/FINRACompliancePodcast?format=xml"&gt;RSS&lt;/a&gt;.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/p&gt;</description>

Learn more about the FINRA Investor Education Foundation latest research, "Investors in the United States: Results from the FINRA Foundation’s National Financial Capability Study," which offers insights into the attitudes, behaviors, knowledge and experiences of retail investors in the U.S.

Investors in the United States: Key Trends and Insights from the National Financial Capability Study

FINRA Unscripted is the voice of the nation’s largest non-government securities regulator. We bring together FINRA leaders to discuss existing and emerging regulatory topics that impact the broker-dealer industry. We share best practices for compliance officers, insights into the operations of a 3,500 person self-regulated organization and educational tools and information for investors. Every investor in America relies on one thing: fair financial markets. That is what FINRA works every day to ensure.

FINRA Unscripted

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