FINRA is soliciting comments on a proposed Comprehensive Automated Risk Data System (CARDS), an automated system that gathers data from broker-dealers and clearning firms which the regulator can then use to spot potential problems with sales practices of individual BDs, branches and reps prior to onsite FINRA exams.
CARDS' first phase is designed to allow FINRA to better protect investors by using automated analytics on brokerage data to find problematic sales practice activity. The intent is for FINRA to analyze CARDS data before going onsite to examine firms, allowing the agency to find risks earlier and shift work away from the onsite exam process.
Susan Axelrod, FINRA's executive vice president of regulatory operations, said in a statement that "the information collected through CARDS will allow FINRA to run analytics that identify potential 'red flags' of sales practice misconduct and help us identify potential business conduct problems with firms, branches and registered representatives."
