Attach to Form 990 or 990-EZ.| Identifier | Return Reference | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| VOLUNTARY DISCLOSURE OF FINANCIAL INFORMATION | THE FINANCIAL INFORMATION INCLUDED IN THE FORM 990 IS PRESENTED ON A STAND-ALONE BASIS WITH ALL SIGNIFICANT INTERCOMPANY RECEIVABLE AND PAYABLE AMOUNTS ELIMINATED AND DOES NOT REPRESENT THE CONSOLIDATED RESULTS FOR FINANCIAL INDUSTRY REGULATORY AUTHORITY, INC. (FINRA) AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES. THE 2012 FORM 990 SHOULD BE READ IN CONNECTION WITH THE 2012 FINRA ANNUAL FINANCIAL REPORT WHICH IS AVAILABLE @ WWW.FINRA.ORG. SEE ALSO SEPARATE 2012 FORM 990'S FOR RELATED ENTITIES, INCLUDING FINRA DISPUTE RESOLUTION, INC., FINRA REGULATION, INC., AND FINRA INVESTOR EDUCATION FOUNDATION. | |
| ORGANIZATIONAL ACHIEVEMENTS AND PROGRAM SERVICES | FORM 990, PART III, LINE 4 | FINRA IS AN INDEPENDENT, NON-GOVERNMENTAL REGULATOR FOR ALL SECURITIES FIRMS DOING BUSINESS WITH THE PUBLIC IN THE UNITED STATES. FINRA AND ITS RELATED ENTITIES TOUCH VIRTUALLY EVERY ASPECT OF THE SECURITIES BUSINESS - FROM REGISTERING AND EDUCATING INDUSTRY PARTICIPANTS TO EXAMINING SECURITIES FIRMS; WRITING RULES; ENFORCING THOSE RULES AND THE FEDERAL SECURITIES LAWS; INFORMING AND EDUCATING THE INVESTING PUBLIC; PROVIDING TRADE REPORTING AND OTHER INDUSTRY UTILITIES; AND ADMINISTERING THE LARGEST DISPUTE RESOLUTION FORUM FOR INVESTORS AND REGISTERED FIRMS. |
| BUSINESS AND FAMILY RELATIONSHIPS | FORM 990, PART VI, LINE 2 | DURING TAX YEAR 2012, OR A PORTION THEREOF: BOARD MEMBERS WILLIAM H. HEYMAN AND SETH H. WAUGH HAD A BUSINESS RELATIONSHIP. MR. WAUGH WAS CEO OF DEUTSCHE BANK AMERICAS, WHICH IS A MEMBER OF THE TRAVELERS' BANK LENDING SYNDICATE. BOARD MEMBERS JOHN J. BRENNAN AND MARK S. CASADY HAD A BUSINESS RELATIONSHIP AS MR. CASADY IS CHAIRMAN AND CEO OF LPL FINANCIAL AND MR. BRENNAN SERVES AS A BOARD MEMBER. BOARD MEMBERS JOHN J. BRENNAN AND ELLYN L. BROWN HAD A BUSINESS RELATIONSHIP AS THEY SERVED TOGETHER AS TRUSTEES OF THE FINANCIAL ACCOUNTING FOUNDATION. STEPHEN LUPARELLO (THROUGH 10/5/12) AND GARY H. STERN HAD A BUSINESS RELATIONSHIP AS THEY SERVE TOGETHER ON THE BOARD OF THE DEPOSITORY TRUST AND CLEARING CORPORATION. DURING TAX YEAR 2012, OR A PORTION THEREOF, THE FOLLOWING BOARD MEMBERS ALSO SERVED TOGETHER AS MEMBERS OF THE BOARD OF NYSE REGULATION: ELLYN L. BROWN (ALSO NYSE EURONEXT) DR. SHIRLEY ANN JACKSON (ALSO NYSE EURONEXT) RICHARD S. PECHTER JOHN W. SCHMIDLIN KURT P. STOCKER DURING TAX YEAR 2012, OR A PORTION THEREOF, THE FOLLOWING BOARD MEMBERS ALSO SERVED TOGETHER AS MEMBERS OF THE NYSE REGULATION'S COMMITTEE FOR REVIEW: ELLYN L. BROWN RICHARD S. PECHTER JOHN W. SCHMIDLIN |
| DESCRIPTION OF CLASSES OF MEMBERS OR STOCKHOLDERS | FORM 990, PART VI, LINE 6 | FINRA IS ORGANIZED AS A NONSTOCK, NOT-FOR-PROFIT, MEMBERSHIP CORPORATION. NO REVENUES OR EARNINGS MAY BE USED FOR THE BENEFIT OF ANY INDIVIDUAL OR MEMBER. ANY REGISTERED BROKER, DEALER, MUNICIPAL SECURITIES BROKER OR DEALER, OR GOVERNMENT SECURITIES BROKER OR DEALER IS ELIGIBLE FOR MEMBERSHIP IN THE CORPORATION, EXCEPT FOR THOSE WHO FAIL OR CEASE TO SATISFY THE CORPORATION'S QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS, OR BECOMES DISQUALIFIED, OR FAILS TO FILE CERTAIN FORMS AS THE CORPORATION PRESCRIBES. THE MEMBERS OF THE CORPORATION GENERALLY HAVE NO VOTING RIGHTS, OTHER THAN TO VOTE ON (1) AMENDMENTS TO THE BY-LAWS OF THE CORPORATION, (2) BUSINESS RAISED DURING THE ANNUAL OR SPECIAL MEETINGS OF MEMBERS, (3) THE ELECTION OF THE SMALL FIRM, MID-SIZED FIRM AND LARGE FIRM GOVERNORS, OR (4) OTHERWISE PROVIDED BY THE GENERAL CORPORATION LAW OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE OR FINRA'S RESTATED CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION. SMALL FIRM MEMBERS (ANY BROKER OR DEALER ADMITTED TO MEMBERSHIP IN THE CORPORATION WHICH, AT THE TIME OF DETERMINATION, HAS AT LEAST 1 AND NO MORE THAN 150 REGISTERED PERSONS) ARE ENTITLED TO VOTE FOR THE ELECTION OF THE THREE SMALL FIRM GOVERNORS, MID-SIZE FIRM MEMBERS (AT LEAST 151 AND NO MORE THAN 499 REGISTERED PERSONS) ARE ENTITLED TO VOTE FOR THE ELECTION OF THE SINGLE MID-SIZE FIRM GOVERNOR, AND LARGE FIRM MEMBERS (500 OR MORE REGISTERED PERSONS) ARE ENTITLED TO VOTE FOR THE ELECTION OF THE THREE LARGE FIRM GOVERNORS. |
| DESCRIPTION OF CLASSES OF PERSONS AND THE NATURE OF THEIR RIGHTS | FORM 990, PART VI, LINE 7A | SMALL FIRM MEMBERS ARE ENTITLED TO VOTE FOR THE ELECTION OF SMALL FIRM GOVERNORS, MID-SIZE FIRM MEMBERS ARE ENTITLED TO VOTE FOR THE ELECTION OF MID-SIZE FIRM GOVERNORS, LARGE FIRM MEMBERS ARE ENTITLED TO VOTE FOR THE ELECTION OF LARGE FIRM GOVERNORS, IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE PROCEDURES FOR SUCH A VOTE AS PROVIDED IN THE CORPORATION'S BY-LAWS. |
| CLASSES OF PERSONS, DECISIONS REQUIRING APPROVAL & TYPE OF VOTING RIGHTS | FORM 990, PART VI, LINE 7B | THE CORPORATION'S MEMBERS ARE ENTITLED TO VOTE ON ANY AMENDMENT TO THE BY-LAWS OF THE CORPORATION, IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE PROCEDURES FOR SUCH A VOTE AS PROVIDED IN THE CORPORATION'S BY-LAWS. |
| PROCESS USED TO REVIEW FORM 990 | FORM 990, PART VI, LINE 11B | THE FORM 990 WAS REVIEWED BY SENIOR MANAGEMENT AT VARIOUS STEPS THROUGHOUT THE PREPARATION CYCLE. THE AUDIT AND MANAGEMENT COMPENSATION COMMITTEES REVIEWED AND APPROVED THE ORGANIZATION'S 2012 FORM 990 ON SEPTEMBER 18, 2013. THE BOARD WAS PROVIDED ACCESS TO THE FINAL FORM 990 FOR REVIEW (VIA A WEBSITE FOR BOARD MEMBERS ONLY) PRIOR TO FILING. |
| ENFORCEMENT OF CONFLICT OF INTEREST POLICY | FORM 990, PART VI, LINE 12C | THE ORGANIZATION HAS WRITTEN CONFLICT OF INTEREST POLICIES FOR BOARD MEMBERS AND EMPLOYEES. THE WRITTEN CONFLICT OF INTEREST POLICY FOR BOARD MEMBERS REQUIRES INITIAL DISCLOSURE OF INTERESTS THAT COULD GIVE RISE TO CONFLICTS AS WELL AS ANNUAL DISCLOSURE BY THE SAME BOARD MEMBERS. ADDITIONALLY, THE WRITTEN POLICY CONTAINS AN ONGOING OBLIGATION OF BOARD MEMBERS TO DISCLOSE POTENTIAL CONFLICTS OF INTEREST AS THEY ARISE. THE EMPLOYEE CONFLICT OF INTEREST POLICY REQUIRES EMPLOYEES TO CERTIFY ANNUALLY AS TO THEIR COMPLIANCE WITH THE WRITTEN POLICY. THE WRITTEN POLICY CONTAINS AN ONGOING OBLIGATION FOR EMPLOYEES TO INFORM FINRA OF ALL BROKERAGE ACCOUNTS IN WHICH THEY HAVE AN INTEREST AND TO ARRANGE FOR FINRA TO RECEIVE DUPLICATE ACCOUNT STATEMENTS. FINRA REVIEWS TRANSACTIONS IN EMPLOYEES' BROKERAGE ACCOUNTS TO ENSURE COMPLIANCE WITH FINRA'S INVESTMENT RESTRICTIONS. AMONG OTHER THINGS, THESE RESTRICTIONS PROHIBIT EMPLOYEES FROM HAVING AN INTEREST IN A BROKER-DEALER OR ENTITY THAT DERIVES 10% OR MORE OF ITS REVENUE, NET OF INTEREST EXPENSE, FROM BROKER-DEALER SUBSIDIARIES OR AFFILIATES. A LIST OF PROHIBITED COMPANIES IS POSTED ON FINRA'S CORPORATE INTRANET. FINRA'S DEPARTMENT HEADS HAVE ACCESS TO SEVERAL ONLINE REPORTS THAT HELP THEM AVOID ASSIGNING AN EMPLOYEE TO WORK ON A PROJECT THAT WOULD GIVE RISE TO A CONFLICT. FOR INSTANCE, A MANAGER CAN DETERMINE WHETHER AN EMPLOYEE'S STOCK HOLDINGS WOULD CONFLICT WITH A PROPOSED FINRA ASSIGNMENT (E.G., ASSIGNING AN EMPLOYEE TO NEGOTIATE A CONTRACT WITH A VENDOR IN WHICH THE EMPLOYEE HAS A SIGNIFICANT STOCK POSITION). EMPLOYEES ARE REGULARLY REMINDED OF THE RESOURCES THAT ARE AVAILABLE WHEN THEY ARE UNSURE WHAT TO DO. IN ADDITION TO TALKING TO DEPARTMENTAL MANAGEMENT, EMPLOYEES CAN DISCUSS CONFLICT-RELATED CONCERNS WITH FINRA'S OFFICE OF GENERAL COUNSEL OR ETHICS MANAGER. IF THEY ARE UNCOMFORTABLE DISCLOSING AN ISSUE AND DISCLOSING THEIR IDENTITY, THEY CAN USE FINRA'S 24-HOUR ETHICSPOINT HOTLINE TO POSE QUESTIONS OR REPORT CONCERNS. COMMUNICATIONS MADE THROUGH ETHICSPOINT ARE CONFIDENTIAL AND, IF THE EMPLOYEE WISHES, ANONYMOUS. FINRA'S WHISTLEBLOWER POLICY FORBIDS RETALIATION AGAINST EMPLOYEES WHO REPORT SUSPECTED MISCONDUCT IN GOOD FAITH, EVEN IF THE REPORT ULTIMATELY PROVES TO BE ERRONEOUS. |
| PROCESS TO DETERMINE COMPENSATION OF TOP OFFICIALS, OFFICERS & KEY EMP. | FORM 990, PART VI, LINES 15A AND 15B | THE MANAGEMENT COMPENSATION COMMITTEE OF THE FINRA BOARD OF GOVERNORS (THE "COMMITTEE") IS RESPONSIBLE FOR SETTING PAY FOR EXECUTIVES OF FINRA AND SUBSIDIARIES WHOSE TOTAL COMPENSATION, INCLUDING INCENTIVE COMPENSATION, MAY EXCEED $1 MILLION. THE COMMITTEE IS COMPRISED OF FOUR NON-EMPLOYEE, NON-SECURITIES INDUSTRY MEMBERS OF THE BOARD OF GOVERNORS. THE COMMITTEE MET ON JANUARY 18, 2012 AND FEBRUARY 15, 2012 TO ESTABLISH INCENTIVE COMPENSATION ATTRIBUTABLE TO THE PERFORMANCE OF SERVICES DURING CALENDAR YEAR 2011 AND TO ESTABLISH BASE SALARIES FOR CALENDAR YEAR 2012. AS A GENERAL POLICY, FINRA HAS DETERMINED ITS COMPETITIVE COMPENSATION POSITIONING SHOULD BE CONSIDERED AGAINST A BROAD SECTION OF FINANCIAL SERVICES/CAPITAL MARKET COMPANIES, AS THIS SECTOR IS THE MOST LIKELY FROM WHICH WE RECRUIT TALENT AND TALENT IS RECRUITED FROM US. WE ALSO BENCHMARK AGAINST GENERAL INDUSTRY POSITIONS AND LAW DEPARTMENTS FOR JOBS THAT ARE NOT UNIQUE TO THE FINANCIAL SERVICES INDUSTRY. THE COMMITTEE ENGAGED MERCER, INC. ("MERCER"), A THIRD-PARTY COMPENSATION CONSULTANT, TO PREPARE A COMPENSATION STUDY FOR REVIEW AT THESE MEETINGS. IN DETERMINING A BENCHMARKING STRATEGY FOR KEY EXECUTIVES, FINANCIAL SERVICES ORGANIZATIONS (BROKER-DEALERS, INVESTMENT BANKS, FEDERAL RESERVE BANKS, COMMERCIAL BANKS, INSURANCE COMPANIES, EXCHANGES AND REGULATORS) WERE DETERMINED TO BE THE MOST RELEVANT GROUPS FOR COMPARISON PURPOSES. THE COMMITTEE AND MERCER ENGAGED IN SUBSTANTIAL RESEARCH AND CONSIDERATION OF THE FUNCTIONS AND OPERATIONS OF SEVERAL POTENTIAL COMPARATORS AS WELL AS GENERAL COMPETITIVE CONDITIONS. IN DETERMINING SPECIFIC SALARY AND INCENTIVE COMPENSATION LEVELS FOR OFFICERS AND KEY EMPLOYEES, MANAGEMENET AND THE COMMITTEE CONSIDER: 1) OPERATIONAL RESULTS 2) STRATEGIC INITIATIVES 3) FINANCIAL HEALTH/RESULTS 4) INDIVIDUAL PERFORMANCE 5) COMPETITIVE COMPENSATION LEVELS AS PREPARED BY MERCER THE COMMITTEE'S MINUTES OF THE JANUARY 18, 2012 AND FEBRUARY 15, 2012 MEETINGS WERE REVIEWED AND APPROVED AS ACCURATE AND COMPLETE FOLLOWING THE COMMITTEE'S APPROVAL OF THE SENIOR EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION PACKAGES. THE FULL BOARD FURTHER APPROVED THE 2011 INCENTIVE COMPENSATION OF THE CEO AT ITS MEETING ON FEBRUARY 16, 2012. ALL COMPENSATION COMMITTEE MEMBERS VOTED FOR THE PROPOSED LEVEL OF EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION. |
| PUBLIC AVAILABILITY OF GOVERNING DOCUMENTS, CONFLICT | OF INTEREST POLICY, AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS | FORM 990, PART VI, LINE 19 THE ORGANIZATION MAKES ITS GOVERNING DOCUMENTS AND THE FINRA CONSOLIDATED AUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST. |
| ESTIMATED AVERAGE HOURS PER WEEK | FORM 990, PART VII, COLUMN B | THE OFFICERS / KEY EMPLOYEES LISTED IN FORM 990, PART VII, DEVOTE AN AVERAGE TOTAL OF 60 HOURS PER WEEK TO THE FILING ORGANIZATION AND ANY OR ALL OF THE FOLLOWING RELATED ORGANIZATIONS: FINRA REGULATION, INC., FINRA DISPUTE RESOLUTION, INC. AND FINRA INVESTOR EDUCATION FOUNDATION. |
| OTHER CHANGES IN NET ASSETS OR FUND BALANCES | FORM 990, PART XI, LINE 9 | OTHER CHANGES IN NET ASSETS OR FUND BALANCES PRIMARILY RELATE TO ANY OR ALL OF THE FOLLOWING: CHANGES IN NET INCOME/(LOSS), UNRECOGNIZED EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLAN AMOUNTS AND UNREALIZED GAIN/(LOSS) ON INVESTMENTS. FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION PLEASE SEE THE 2012 FINRA ANNUAL FINANCIAL REPORT WHICH IS AVAILABLE @ WWW.FINRA.ORG. |
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