IN THIS ISSUE:

*FINRA Priorities

*Know Your Distributor

*Best Execution

Excerpt from FINRA Priorities

FINRA’s annual letter to member firms regarding its 2012 regulatory and examination priorities included a number of issues relating to structured products. In its letter, FINRA notes that it will focus on evidence of “yield chasing.” Also, it will consider the suitability of certain complex products (including products for which there is a limited secondary market and products for which the cash flows may be difficult to predict). Continuing the themes stated in recent Regulatory Notice 12-03, FINRA highlights a number of products as to which there are heightened concerns regarding suitability and potential misselling. These include exchange-traded products that use sophisticated trading strategies and structured products.