FINRA BrokerCheck
FINRA BrokerCheck is a free, online tool that helps individuals research brokers, brokerage firms, investment adviser firms and advisers. For brokerage firms, BrokerCheck provides: A report summary of a firm and its background A firm profile describing a firm's origins, its leadership, and who owns it A firm history of acquisitions, mergers or name changes A firm operations section that includes its licenses and registrations, what kind of business it engages in, and any other operational disclosures A disclosures section that has information of arbitration awards, disciplinary events, and financial matters on its record (both past and pending). BrokerCheck does not contain any information that has not been disclosed to the CRD system, some personal or confidential information (Social Security numbers or residential addresses), as well as satisfied judgments or liens. Regarding brokers who are currently registered with FINRA, a national securities exchange, or who have been registered sometime during the last 10 years, FINRA BrokerCheck provides: A report summary of a broker and their credentials Broker qualifications, such as current registrations or licenses, including exams that they have passed Registration and employment history that includes a list of securities firms a broker is registered or was previously registered, as well as an employment history going back 10 years (both within and outside the industry). Disclosures regarding criminal, regulatory, civil judicial, or customer complaint activity The data and information available in BrokerCheck comes mainly from two sources: the Central Registration Depository (CRD), the securities industry online registration and licensing database, provides the broker and brokerage information, while information about investment adviser firms and representatives comes from the Securities and Exchange Commission's Investment Adviser Registration Depository (IARD) database. Given the breadth of its data sources, FINRA BrokerCheck (brokercheck.finra.org) contains information on roughly 820,000 brokers/brokerages and advisers/adviser firms, as well as thousands of previously registered ones.
What is FINRA BrokerCheck
FINRA BrokerCheck is a free, online tool that helps individuals research brokers, brokerage firms, investment adviser firms and advisers. By visiting BrokerCheck, investors can see a variety of information that may be helpful in the selection and vetting of an individual financial advice provider or broker/brokerage firm, such as descriptions, services offered, credentials, sanctions, registrations and more. BrokerCheck is offered and administered by the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA), the largest non-governmental securities firm regulator in the United States. The data and information available in BrokerCheck comes mainly from two sources: the Central Registration Depository (CRD), the securities industry online registration and licensing database, provides the broker and brokerage information, while information about investment adviser firms and representatives comes from the Securities and Exchange Commission's Investment Adviser Registration Depository (IARD) database.
Breaking Down FINRA BrokerCheck
Given the breadth of its data sources, FINRA BrokerCheck (brokercheck.finra.org) contains information on roughly 820,000 brokers/brokerages and advisers/adviser firms, as well as thousands of previously registered ones. FINRA BrokerCheck is also an explanatory tool that shows how to properly use and manage the information provided. With FINRA BrokerCheck, an investor can find a firm's history, learn of any indiscretions and locate and identify popular choices among investors.
FINRA BrokerCheck: Available Information
Regarding brokers who are currently registered with FINRA, a national securities exchange, or who have been registered sometime during the last 10 years, FINRA BrokerCheck provides:
For brokerage firms, BrokerCheck provides:
BrokerCheck does not contain any information that has not been disclosed to the CRD system, some personal or confidential information (Social Security numbers or residential addresses), as well as satisfied judgments or liens. For more, see the FINRA BrokerCheck informational page and FAQs.
FiINRA BrokerCheck Other Resources
In addition to BrokerCheck, individuals considering hiring a broker or investment adviser should search the resources of their state securities regulators, which also oversee and may require the registration of brokers or advisers. FINRA also provides two additional supplementary databases: FINRA Arbitration Awards Online and FINRA Disciplinary Actions Online.
Related terms:
Broker and Example
A broker is an individual or firm that charges a fee or commission for executing buy and sell orders submitted by an investor. read more
Central Registration Depository—CRD
The Central Registration Depository (CRD) is a database maintained by FINRA of all firms and individuals involved in the U.S. securities industry. read more
Expunge
Expunge is the act of eliminating a formal customer complaint lodged against a securities broker from FINRA's public records. read more
Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA)
The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) is a nongovernmental organization that writes and enforces rules for brokers and broker-dealers. read more
Investment Adviser Registration Depository (IARD)
The Investment Adviser Registration Depository (IARD) is an electronic system through which investment advisors register and file forms. read more
Investment Advisor
An investment advisor is any person or group that makes investment recommendations or conducts securities analysis in return for a fee. read more
Registered Representative (RR)
A registered representative (RR) is a financial professional who works with clients who are trading investments such as stocks and bonds. read more
SEC Form U-5S
SEC Form U-5S was a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) that had to be filed annually by every registered holding company. read more
Series 31
The Series 31 is an exam and securities license entitling the holder to sell managed futures funds or supervise those activities. read more
State Administrator
A state administrator regulates and enforces laws regarding securities transactions at the state level, while the SEC regulates the laws on the federal level. read more