Finra seeks comments on bonus disclosure plan

Rule change would require registered reps to detail timing, amount, nature of comp

By Dan Jamieson

Jan 4, 2013 @ 9:53 pm (Updated 11:07 am) EST

registered reps, finra, compensation
Rick Ketchum, CEO of Finra, wants to hear from reps on his plan to increase compensation disclosure. Bloomberg

The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority Inc. is now taking comments on a proposal to require brokers to disclose recruiting incentives.

The notice was posted Thursday on Finra's website.

Finra is taking comments until March 5.

The rule change would require registered representatives to disclose details of their enhanced compensation arrangements to any customers they solicit for a period of one year after changing firms.

Oral disclosures would be required during an initial client contact and upon initiation of a transfer request, a written disclosure would be made with information about “the timing, amount and nature of the enhanced compensation arrangement,” Finra said in its notice.

Enhanced compensation would include signing bonuses, upfront or back-end bonuses, loans, accelerated payouts, transition assistance and similar arrangements, Finra said.

Enhanced compensation in an amount less than $50,000 would not have to be disclosed.

Finra wants comments about the costs and benefits of its proposal, as well as if a more general disclosure would be more effective.

Join the Discussion

  @IN Wire

May 22 06:53PM
LPL's $7.5M e-mail fine just latest in Finra crackdown http://t.co/Y0FPDObjGV
May 22 05:32PM
LPL's $7.5M e-mail fine just latest in Finra crackdown http://t.co/VYDP7HAJf1 via @newsfromIN

Career Center

Explore your opportunities and be informed for your next move.

Company Type
Firm Type
Clearing Firm
Presented by