FINRA proposes new investment banking registration category
On March 2, 2009, the SEC provided notice of proposed changes to the NASD Rules as filed by the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA). FINRA (a consolidation of the National Association of Securities Dealers and the member regulation, enforcement and arbitration functions of the New York Stock Exchange) is responsible for regulating securities firms doing business in the U.S. and prescribes the training and competence standards of securities representatives. The proposed changes to the NASD Rules would create a new limited representative registration category for investment banking professionals. In lieu of the current General Securities Registered Representative (Series 7) exam, those whose activities are limited to investment banking would take a more targeted qualification exam, while those already holding Series 7 registration would be "grandfathered" and not need to take the new exam.
