FINRA Triples Gift Limit: Brokers Can Now Spoil More
Published Date: 2/18/2026
Notice
Summary
FINRA just got the green light to update its Gifts Rule, raising the gift limit from $100 to $300 per person each year. This change affects financial firms and their employees, making it easier to give and receive small gifts while keeping things fair and clear. The new rules also add helpful details about gift types and recordkeeping, with the changes kicking in soon to keep everyone on the same page.
Analyzed Economic Effects
6 provisions identified: 6 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Gift Limit Raised to $300
The SEC approved FINRA's change on February 12, 2026 to raise the FINRA Gifts Rule limit from $100 to $300 per person per year. FINRA said the $300 limit is intended to reflect past inflation and about ten years of expected future inflation and that it will periodically review the limit.
FINRA Can Grant Rule Exemptions
FINRA staff may now grant conditional or unconditional exemptions from any part of FINRA Rule 3220 for good cause, using FINRA's Rule 9600 procedures. FINRA said exemptions must be consistent with the rule's purpose, investor protection, and the public interest.
Gifts to Firm Employees and Retail Customers Excluded
The amended rule says FINRA Rule 3220 will not apply to gifts from a member to its own associated persons (firm employees), or to gifts from a member or its associated persons to individual retail customers. That exclusion is part of the approved changes to Rule 3220.
Personal Life-Event Gifts Not Counted
Customary, reasonable personal gifts for infrequent life events (like weddings or birth) that are personal in nature and not related to the recipient's employer are not subject to the $300 limit or the rule's recordkeeping. FINRA will presume a gift is business-related (and thus subject to the limit) when the firm pays or reimburses for it.
Bereavement Gifts Exempt from Limit
Reasonable and customary bereavement gifts (for example, flowers or a food platter) sent on behalf of a member or its associated persons to acknowledge the death of an employee of a client or an immediate family member are not subject to the $300 limit or the recordkeeping requirements.
Small Promotional, Commemorative, Disaster Gifts Excluded
De minimis promotional items (like pens or tote bags) are excluded from the $300 limit if their value is 'substantially below' $300. Customary solely decorative commemorative items (like Lucite tombstones) are also excluded. Donations to individuals for losses from Presidentially declared major disasters (e.g., wildfires, hurricanes) are not treated as gifts "in relation to the business" and are excluded from the $300 limit and recordkeeping.
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