FINRA Clarifies ‘Customer’ and ‘Investment Strategy’ Terms Under Suitability Rule

As to the updated response to frequently asked question 7, FINRA said that while Rule 2111 states that the term "investment strategy" is to be interpreted "broadly," FINRA would not consider a broker-dealer's or registered rep's recommendation that a customer generally invest in "equity" or "fixed income" securities to be an investment strategy covered by the rule, unless such a recommendation was part of an asset allocation plan not eligible for the safe-harbor provision in Rule 2111.

The "investment strategy" language would, FINRA says, "apply to recommendations to customers to invest in more specific types of securities, such as high dividend companies or the 'Dogs of the Dow,' or in a market sector, regardless of whether the recommendations identify particular securities."

It also would apply to recommendations to customers generally to use a bond ladder, day trading, "liquefied home equity," or margin strategy involving securities, irrespective of whether the recommendations mention particular securities, the agency states. In addition, "the term would capture an explicit recommendation to hold a security or securities or to continue to use an investment strategy involving a security or securities."

The rule would apply, for example, "when a registered rep (or otherwise communicates) with a customer during a quarterly or annual investment review and explicitly advises the customer not to sell any securities in or make any changes to the account or portfolio or to continue to use an investment strategy," FINRA said

However, as explained in frequently asked question 3, the rule "would not cover an implicit recommendation to hold," FINRA states. "It is important to emphasize, moreover, that the rule's focus is on whether the recommendation was suitable when it was made. A recommendation to hold securities, maintain an investment strategy involving securities or use another investment strategy involving securities—as with a recommendation to purchase, sell or exchange securities—normally would not create an ongoing duty to monitor and make subsequent recommendations."