Robert Cook wants a 360-degree review of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority.
The FINRA360 initiative, launched by Cook after conducting a listening tour during his first year as head of the broker-dealer regulator, will allow for a comprehensive probe of the self-regulator's operations and programs.
"Being an effective self-regulatory organization that protects investors while promoting vibrant capital markets requires that FINRA engage member firms and the public in meaningful dialogue," Cook said recently. "FINRA invests significant resources in its current engagement programs, and we are exploring how these programs can be made more effective without compromising our regulatory responsibilities. Requesting comment is an important part of that evaluation."
As part of the review, FINRA began seeking feedback in late March on how to enhance the self-regulator's programs for engagement with its members and other stakeholders. Other requests for comments came in early April on rules that address the capital-raising activities of BDs, underwriting terms and arrangements regarding the public offering of securities, and a plan to create a limited safe harbor for eligible desk commentary that may rise to the level of a research report.
Cook appointed Nathaniel Stankard as his senior advisor to in late March to spearhead special projects, including FINRA's strategic review of its operations.
