FINRA Offers Senior Finance Leaders Optional Regulatory Refresher Training
Published Date: 11/5/2026
Notice
Summary
FINRA is rolling out a new optional training program for senior leaders in financial firms to keep their skills sharp and up-to-date. This new rule lets firms choose if their top people want to join this continuing education program, starting right away with no extra fees. It’s a smart move to help leaders stay on top of the game without any pressure or cost.
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 1 costs, 0 mixed.
Optional senior‑leader CE pathway
Member firms may choose to have their senior leaders complete a new Senior Leader Regulatory Element Interim Program instead of the usual assigned Regulatory Element courses. The Interim Program is voluntary, requires participating senior leaders to take the training on an annual basis, would operate for just over two full years, and participating senior leaders would satisfy their annual Regulatory Element CE under Rule 1240.
Firm delivery, certification, and record obligations
If a firm elects the Interim Program, the firm's chief compliance officer (CCO) or other senior compliance officer will provide the training (rather than FINRA's online platform). Participating senior leaders must certify completion, the firm must retain those certifications for at least three years, and the CCO must identify to FINRA those senior leaders who completed the training and demonstrated proficiency.
Immediate operability before year‑end CE deadline
The Commission waived the normal 30‑day delay so the proposed rule change became operative upon filing (filed October 29, 2026). That immediate operability lets member firms elect participation and receive Interim Program materials in time to consider participation for the December 31, 2026 Regulatory Element CE deadline and to begin the program during the remaining months of 2026.
Personalized for You
How does this regulation affect your finances?
Personalize government policy and PRIA will tell you what this federal register document means for your household, plus every other regulation we track. PRIA reads each provision against your financial profile to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.
Key Dates
Department and Agencies
Related Federal Register Documents
2026-21037, Investment Company Cross Trading
The SEC wants to update the rules for cross trading, which is when investment companies trade securities with their affiliates. They’re making more types of securities eligible, tightening rules to protect investors, and requiring better reporting of these trades. If you’re involved in investment companies, watch out for these changes and get your comments in by December 14, 2026!
2026-20466, Adviser and Regulated Fund Custody Rules; Crypto Custody Rules
The SEC is updating rules for how investment advisers and funds handle crypto assets, making sure they keep these digital investments safe and properly reported. These changes affect advisers, funds, and anyone managing crypto securities, aiming to modernize rules and improve transparency. Comments on the proposal are open until December 7, 2026, so get ready to weigh in!
2026-19260, Rescission of Rule 14a-8's Federal Regulation of Shareholder Proposals and Amendments to Rule 14a-4
The SEC wants to stop its federal rule that controls how shareholders can make proposals at company meetings, letting state laws and company rules take over instead. They’re also changing rules so companies can sometimes vote on proposals not in their official materials—but shareholders can opt out if they want. This affects investors and companies, with comments open until November 20, 2026, and could shake up how shareholder voices are heard and counted.
2026-18424, Political Contributions by Certain Investment Advisers
The Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Commission" or the "SEC") is proposing to rescind the political contribution rule under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 (the "Advisers Act"), which prohibits investment advisers from providing investment advisory services for compensation to a government client for two years after an adviser or any covered associate of the adviser makes a contribution to certain categories of elected officials or candidates, among other prohibitions. In the more than fifteen years since the rule was adopted, implementation challenges associated with the political contribution rule have resulted in a range of significant unintended consequences, including compliance practices among some investment advisers that may have had the effect of restricting all political contributions by the investment advisers and their employees. Market participants also have stated that the political contribution rule is burdensome, complex, and both lacks clarity and creates a de facto strict liability standard. The Commission is of the view that other existing requirements of the Advisers Act and its associated rules, including prohibitions on fraud, fiduciary duty requirements, the compliance rule, and the code of ethics rule (defined below), are likely sufficient to address pay-to-play practices while allowing an adviser the flexibility to implement an approach that is more appropriately tailored to its particular risks, rendering the political contribution rule unnecessary. The Commission also is proposing to amend the rule under the Advisers Act pertaining to books and records consistent with the proposed rescission.
2026-18190, Transfer Agent Rules
The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC" or "Commission") is proposing to adopt new rules, amend existing rules, amend the existing form for registration with the Commission as a transfer agent (Form TA-1) and the existing form for reporting activities of transfer agents (Form TA-2), and rescind an existing rule governing registered transfer agents. The proposals are designed to modernize the rules governing registered transfer agents.
2026-17183, Regulation Crypto Assets
The Securities and Exchange Commission ("Commission") is proposing new rules to create a tailored offering regime for certain investment contracts involving crypto assets. The proposed offering regime is intended to facilitate capital formation and accommodate innovation within the crypto asset markets while, at the same time, ensuring that investors are adequately protected and provided with the information they need to make informed investment decisions. The proposed rules would be set forth in a new regulation titled "Regulation Crypto Assets" and would include two exemptions from the registration requirements of section 5 of the Securities Act of 1933. The first exemption would permit offerings of up to $5 million during a four-year period. The second exemption would permit offerings of up to $75 million during each 12-month period. Under both exemptions, issuers would be required to make certain principles-based narrative disclosures available to their investors. In addition, issuers under the second exemption would be required to provide financial statements and would be subject to ongoing reporting requirements. Issuers that rely on these exemptions would remain subject to the antifraud and antimanipulation provisions of the Federal securities laws. The proposed rules also would include a conditional safe harbor from the term "investment contract" in the definitions of "security" in the Securities Act of 1933 and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. If the conditions of that proposed safe harbor are satisfied, then a crypto asset would be deemed not to be subject to an investment contract for purposes of those definitions of "security."
Previous / Next Documents
Previous: 2026-22560, Self-Regulatory Organizations; Nasdaq PHLX LLC; Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of a Proposed Rule Change To Amend Equity 8A Regarding Information Circular Requirements
Nasdaq PHLX is updating its rules about sharing info on certain traded products. They’re dropping the old rule that required sending info before trading starts and instead will provide approved descriptions when buyers get their first trade confirmation. This change affects members trading these products and kicks in right away, with no extra costs involved.
Next: 2026-22562, Self-Regulatory Organizations; NYSE Texas, Inc.; Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of Proposed Rule Change To Adopt New Rule 8a To Provide for the Listing of Acquisition Companies
NYSE Texas just rolled out a new rule to let special companies called Acquisition Companies list on their exchange. These companies plan to buy other businesses, and this change opens the door for them to raise money and grow. The rule is effective immediately, so expect new listings and fresh investment chances soon!