FINRA Broker-Dealer Regulatory Oversight Priorities - 2025

The 2025 FINRA Annual Regulatory Oversight Report provides an indication of FINRA’s examination priorities and the manner in which they assess the risk profile of their member firms. This year’s Report addresses a number of emerging issues, including:

• artificial intelligence (AI);

• investment fraud by bad actors that directly targets investors;

• FINRA rules concerning the Remote Inspections Pilot Program and Residential Supervisory Location designation; and

• trade reporting enhancements for fractional share transactions.

The Report also details a number of other areas related to FINRA’s priorities, including:

Financial Crimes Prevention

• Cybersecurity and Cyber-Enabled Fraud

• Anti-Money Laundering, Fraud and Sanctions

• Manipulative Trading

• Firm Operations

  • Third-Party Risk Landscape NEW FOR 2025

  • Technology Management

  • Outside Business Activities and Private Securities Transactions

  • Books and Records

  • Senior Investors and Trusted Contact Persons

  • Crowdfunding Offerings: Broker-Dealer and Funding Portals

• Member Firms’ Nexus to Crypto

• Communications and Sales

  • Communications with the Public

  • Reg BI and Form CRS

  • Private Placements

  • Annuities Securities Products

• Market Integrity

  • Consolidated Audit Trail (CAT)

  • Customer Order Handling: Best Execution and Order Routing Disclosures

  • Regulation SHO – Bona Fide Market Making and Close-Out Requirements

  • Fixed Income – Fair Pricing

  • OTC Quotations in Fixed Income Securities

  • Market Access Rule

  • Extended Hours Trading NEW FOR 2025

• Financial Management

  • Net Capital

  • Liquidity Risk Management

  • Segregation of Assets and Customer Protection

See the report here for more information: https://www.finra.org/rules-guidance/guidance/reports/2025-finra-annual-regulatory-oversight-report