FINRA’s intraday margin overhaul replaces ‘outdated’ requirements

FINRA’s intraday margin overhaul replaces ‘outdated’ requirements
The current rules that govern day trading in customer margin accounts were adopted nearly a quarter of a century ago, FINRA said.
APR 23, 2026

FINRA has adopted new intraday margin standards, replacing what the regulator describes as outdated requirements. This includes the day trade count requirements for designating a customer as a “pattern day trader” and the $25,000 pattern day trader minimum equity requirement, FINRA said, in a regulatory notice on April 20.

In its notice, FINRA explained that the current rules that govern day trading in customer margin accounts were adopted nearly a quarter of a century ago.

FINRA emphasizes that the new intraday standards are designed to give customers more freedom to participate in the markets while at the same time requiring that customers maintain equity in their margin accounts that is commensurate with their level of market exposure at any point during the trading day.

"The new rule is designed so that members may implement real-time monitoring of customer positions and blocking transactions that would otherwise create or increase intraday margin deficits," it said.

The regulator further specifies that member firms that need more time to implement the amended Rule 4210 will be allowed to phase in the changes over an implementation period of up to 18 months following the June 4, 2026 effective date, ending on October 20, 2027, and notes that it plans to publish a separate notice “shortly” to provide interpretive guidance and additional resources to assist members with the transition.

Latest News

Mesirow acquires part of flexPATH in second retirement deal of 2026
Mesirow acquires part of flexPATH in second retirement deal of 2026

Chicago-based Mesirow Fiduciary Solutions adds flexPATH's plan-level outsourced fiduciary book, boosting its retirement market reach to $164 billion.

Advisor moves: LPL lands $350M veteran advisor duo in Florida
Advisor moves: LPL lands $350M veteran advisor duo in Florida

Also, Raymond James's employee advisor channel adds breakaways from Wells Fargo and Stifel, while UBS welcomes an ex-Morgan Stanley duo in Indiana.

SEC accuses crypto firm founder of running $425 million Ponzi scheme
SEC accuses crypto firm founder of running $425 million Ponzi scheme

It promised guaranteed principal and 10% monthly returns. The SEC says it invested nothing.

MassMutual Ascend tops $2 billion in RIA annuity sales as advisors warm to income products
MassMutual Ascend tops $2 billion in RIA annuity sales as advisors warm to income products

Ten years after entering the fee-based annuity market, MassMutual Ascend says nearly half its lifetime sales came in the past two years alone – but barriers remain among fee-only advisors.

Fintech bytes: Wealth tech firms target advisor productivity with new integrations
Fintech bytes: Wealth tech firms target advisor productivity with new integrations

Amplify, WealthReach, Zeplyn and Zocks have unveiled partnerships aimed at automating portfolio management, content creation, account opening, and client communication.

SPONSORED Direct indexing webinar targets tax-loss harvesting amid market swings

Northern Trust’s Ken Lassner shows advisors how to convert volatility into after-tax portfolio gains

SPONSORED Who builds the income when the pension disappears?

Dan Biagini of American Equity says the steady decline of pensions, longer lifespans and a reset in interest rates are rewriting how advisors build retirement income