SR-FINRA-2019-017 – Proposed Rule Change to Amend FINRA Rules 2210 (Communications with the Public) and 2241 (Research Analysts and Research Reports).

Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc. (“FINRA”) is filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC” or “Commission”) proposed amendments to FINRA Rule 2210 (Communications with the Public) and FINRA Rule 2241 (Research Analysts and Research Reports) required by the Fair Access to Investment Research Act of 2017 (“FAIR Act”).

The proposed rule change would eliminate the “quiet period” restrictions in Rule 2241 on publishing a research report or making a public appearance concerning a covered investment fund and would create a filing exclusion under FINRA Rule 2210 for covered investment fund research reports.

Click here to read more regarding the proposed rule change.

FINRA is publishing its quarterly OTCBB/OTC Equities High Price Dissemination List for the first quarter of 2019. This updated list of OTC equity securities eligible for trade report dissemination for trades of fewer than 100 shares is effective as of June 14, 2019. To view changes, visit the Daily List: Security Attribute Changes page, select the “Unit of Trades” filter and enter June 13, 2019 as the “Start” date and June 14, 2019 as the “End” date.

As discussed in the FINRA March 18, 2008, Trade Reporting Notice, for all OTC equity securities that trade at or above $175.00, transactions of fewer than 100 shares are no longer considered “odd-lot” transactions for dissemination purposes. Instead, FINRA has designated the unit of trade for these securities as 1, and FINRA disseminates last sale information for all transactions of one or more shares in such securities. FINRA reviews trading activity quarterly to determine whether additional OTC equity securities meet the stated dissemination criteria.

If you have questions, contact FINRA Operations at (866) 776-0800.

Effective Date: July 1, 2019

SEC Approves Amendments to Arbitration Codes to Expand Time for Non-Parties to Respond to Arbitration Subpoenas and Orders of Appearance of Witnesses or Production of Documents

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) approved amendments to FINRA’s customer and industry arbitration rules to expand time for non-parties to respond to arbitration subpoenas and orders of appearance of witnesses or production of documents. The amendments also make related changes to enhance the discovery process for forum users.

The amendments are effective for cases filed on or after July 1, 2019.

Questions concerning this Notice should be directed to: Leslie Leutwiler, Associate Director, Office of Dispute Resolution, at (212) 858-4136; or Kristine Vo, Principal Counsel, Office of General Counsel, at (212) 858-4106.

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The annual meeting of FINRA firms will take place on or about Monday, August 19, 2019, to elect one Large Firm Governor and one Small Firm Governor to the FINRA Board of Governors (FINRA Board). A formal notice of the meeting, including the precise date, time and location, will be mailed to executive representatives on or about July 19, 2019. 

The purpose of this Election Notice is to notify FINRA members of the FINRA Nominating Committee’s nominees to fill these vacancies and inform individuals not nominated by the Nominating Committee of the petition procedures set forth in FINRA’s By-Laws for being included on the ballot for these elections.

Questions regarding this Election Notice may be directed to Marcia E. Asquith, Executive Vice President and Corporate Secretary, or Jennifer Piorko Mitchell, Vice President and Deputy Corporate Secretary, by email or at (202) 728-8949.

Note: FINRA distributed this Notice electronically to the executive representative of each FINRA firm and posted it online at www.finra.org/Notices/Election/05242019. Executive representatives should circulate this Notice to their firms’ branch managers. 

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