FINRA to Toughen Sanctions on Fraud, Unsuitability

The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority said Tuesday that it will call for tougher sanctions for those who commit fraud or make unsuitable recommendations to clients. Plus, it will increase suspensions under the self-regulator’s suitability rules from one year to two years. FINRA said that its National Adjudicatory Council is amending its “overarching principles” that apply to sanctions determinations and is revising its Sanction Guidelines to advise FINRA adjudicators to “strongly consider” barring an individual respondent or expelling a firm for cases involving fraud. More on ThinkAdvisor here.