FINRA (Financial Industry Regulatory Authority) - the largest independent regulator of U.S. financial markets, the main purpose of which is to protect American  investors. FINRA controls about 4.5 million brokerage firms, 167,000 branch offices, 637,000 securities holders.

As for the core mission of protecting investors by FINRA, its implementation is based on translating the three principles - respect for justice at work in financial markets, information and education and investors monitor the compliance with the laws of fair competition companies. In the activities of the organization are involved within the three thousand people, and its regional offices comprise 20 units and are located throughout the United States.

To resolve disagreements regulator has the largest forum: U.S. only has 73 sites for the hearing, that is, at least one in every state. Also, those are available in Puerto Rico and London.

Since FINRA emphasizes the importance of education and enlightenment of investors, to implement such a function in the 2003 Education Fund was established for investors, which is the largest in the U.S.. Since its foundation on education, FINRA invested about 63 million dollars.

The main activities of FINRA

  • qualification and licensing of  brokers
  • the development and introduction of life instructions and rules for each broker / brokerage company in the U.S.
  • monitor and investigate complaints of investors
  • advice to other regulators
  • market regulation for certain exchanges, which is performed under the contract. Among them is New York Stock Exchange, NYSE Arca, NYSE Amex, The NASDAQ Stock Market, International Securities Exchange
  • control over compliance with the rules of financial market participants and federal legislation
  • public information and education undertaken by the official website of FINRA, public forums and media
  • investor education basic principles of security and investment that FINRA is positioned as the best form of investor protection

Mesures that may be applied as appropriate by FINRA

  • trigger initiation of disciplinary proceedings against the firm or against individuals
  • demanded to compensate for losses suffered as investors fines
  • produce a temporary suspension of business until the complete elimination

In the ranking of brokers FINRA membership gives companies 30 points