Finra extends postponement of in-person arbitration hearings through July 31

Finra extends postponement of in-person arbitration hearings through July 31
Zoom and telephonic hearings can be requested by parties or mandated by arbitrators
MAY 15, 2020

Finra extended the postponement of in-person arbitration and mediation hearings through July, the regulator said Friday.

The suspension is now in place through July 31, the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority Inc. said in an update on its website. The organization is halting in-person hearings due to public safety concerns related to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Finra first suspended in-person proceedings in the middle of March through May 1. It has extended the ban a couple times since then, adding several weeks with each iteration.  

Finra is offering virtual hearings via Zoom and teleconference if the parties agree or if they’re mandated by arbitrators. “These services provide high-quality, secure, user-friendly options for conducting video and telephonic hearings and sharing documents remotely," Finra said on its website.

At least three Zoom hearings have occurred, but lawyers are generally reluctant to take that route so far.

Finra runs the arbitration system that settles disputes to between customers and brokerages and between registered representatives and firms. Brokerage contracts almost always include mandatory arbitration clauses.

Latest News

Advisors weigh in on the heavyweight battle between Apple and NVDA
Advisors weigh in on the heavyweight battle between Apple and NVDA

Wealth managers watch as Apple and NVDA battle it out for the title of the world's largest company.

Bank of America wealth management reports boost in fresh fee-based assets.
Bank of America wealth management reports boost in fresh fee-based assets.

“There was also cash moving off the sidelines,” one Merrill executive noted.

Broker-dealer giant Osaic taps Kristy Britt as CFO
Broker-dealer giant Osaic taps Kristy Britt as CFO

The PE-backed wealth giant is welcoming the veteran with over 20 years of experience to help lead its next phase of growth.

SEC fines, censures Ohio RIA for failure to supervise rogue remote-work rep
SEC fines, censures Ohio RIA for failure to supervise rogue remote-work rep

The Cincinatti firm reportedly missed multiple signs that the errant advisor misappropriated $728k from clients to fund his gambling, pay personal expenses, and repay other investors.

Wealth firms want asset managers to step up specialist support
Wealth firms want asset managers to step up specialist support

Broadridge industry survey unpacks sentiments and gaps around active ETFs, alts, indexing solutions, and AI adoption.

SPONSORED Destiny Wealth Partners: RIA Team of the Year shares keys to success

Discover the award-winning strategies behind Destiny Wealth Partners' client-centric approach.

SPONSORED Explore four opportunities to elevate advisor-client relationships

Morningstar’s Joe Agostinelli highlights strategies for advisors to deepen client engagement and drive success