FINRA Unscripted

Data is at the heart of everything we do at FINRA—from examining firms to detecting suspicious trading to protecting investors. But the process of requesting, gathering, and analyzing data involves significant effort across the board.

So, the question is: How do we work smarter? How do we use technology and collaboration to be more targeted in what we ask for, more efficient in how we use it, and more effective in the oversight we provide?

On this episode, Sam Draddy, Senior Vice President of Surveillance and Market Intelligence, and J. Koutros, Senior Vice President of Member Supervision Operations, Procedures, and Standards, explore how FINRA's approach to data requests is evolving. This effort embodies FINRA Forward, our commitment to continuous improvement, regulatory efficiency, and reducing burden while strengthening investor protection and market integrity.

Resources mentioned in this episode:

FINRA Rule 8210

Electronic Blue Sheets (EBS)

FINRA Quarterly Regulatory Policy Agenda

FINRA Forward

Blog Post: FINRA Forward’s Rule Modernization—An Update

Blog Post: Vendors, Intelligence Sharing and FINRA’s Mission

Blog Post: FINRA Forward Initiatives to Support Members, Markets and the Investors They Serve

Blog Post: A Progress Update on Rule Modernization

Find us: LinkedIn / X / YouTube / Facebook / Instagram / E-mail

Subscribe to our show on Apple Podcasts, Google Play and by RSS.

Financial security is about more than just building wealth: It's about resilience, preparation, and having the tools to weather whatever comes your way. And right now, with rising costs, market volatility, and evolving fraud risks, investors need that security more than ever. 
On this episode, FINRA Investor Education Foundation President and Senior Vice President of Investor Education Gerri Walsh discusses what financial security really means in 2026, and how firms can help protect and empower their customers. This conversation sits at the heart of FINRA Forward, our commitment to evolving alongside the rapidly changing securities industry in support of our mission of protecting investors and market integrity.
Resources mentioned in this episode:
BrokerCheck
Market Data Center
Fund Analyzer
Fixed Income Data
FINRA Investor Education Foundation
Protecting Consumers from Fraud
FINRA Forward
Blog Post: FINRA Forward’s Rule Modernization—An Update
Blog Post: Vendors, Intelligence Sharing and FINRA’s Mission
Blog Post: FINRA Forward Initiatives to Support Members, Markets and the Investors They Serve
Ep. 168: Investing Wisely in 2025: Avoiding Scams and Achieving Your Financial Goals
Ep. 183: Investors in the United States: Key Trends and Insights from the National Financial Capability Study

Find us: LinkedIn / X / YouTube / Facebook / Instagram / E-mail

Subscribe to our show on Apple Podcasts, Google Play and by RSS.

The FINRA Investor Education Foundation’s National Financial Capability Study is an expansive source of data and insights about the financial lives of U.S. adults. Conducted every three years, this wide-ranging research effort includes the Investor Survey, an in-depth exploration of the attitudes, behaviors, knowledge and experiences of retail investors across the country.
In December, the FINRA Foundation published the latest iteration of the survey, titled "Investors in the United States: Results from the FINRA Foundation’s National Financial Capability Study." Drawing on responses from nearly 3,000 respondents in the U.S. with non-retirement investment accounts, the latest edition builds on previous Investor Survey reports, conducted every three years since 2015.
On this episode of FINRA Unscripted, FINRA Foundation President Gerri Walsh, the Foundation's Research Director Gary Mottola, and Senior Researcher Olivia Valdes discuss the study's wide-ranging findings and implications.
Resources mentioned in this episode:
The National Financial Capability Study (NFCS)
Investors in the United States A Report of the National Financial Capability Study
State-by-State NFCS
Investing Knowledge Quiz
Ep. 176: National Financial Capability Study: Key Trends and Insights
You Know More Than You Think: Unrealized Knowledge in “Don’t Know” Responses to Financial Knowledge Questions
2026 FINRA Annual Regulatory Oversight Report
BrokerCheck
Social Media Key Topics Page

Find us: LinkedIn / X / YouTube / Facebook / Instagram / E-mail

Subscribe to our show on Apple Podcasts, Google Play and by RSS.

The Annual Regulatory Oversight Report is one of FINRA’s most valued resources for member firms—and this year, we're publishing it earlier than ever in response to member feedback. The 2026 Report features insights on cyber-enabled fraud, senior investor protection, generative AI, and much more. It also reflects our FINRA Forward commitment to empowering member firm compliance by sharing intelligence from across our Regulatory Operations.
This episode features four FINRA leaders: Ornella Bergeron, Senior Vice President, Risk Monitoring, and Acting Head of Member Supervision; Bill St. Louis, Executive Vice President and Head of Enforcement; Feral Talib, Executive Vice President and Head of Market Oversight; and Bryan Smith, Senior Vice President and Acting Head of Strategic Intelligence. They discuss takeaways from the report, and how firms can leverage its effective practices and research to strengthen their compliance programs.
Resources mentioned in this episode:
2026 Regulatory Oversight Report
FINRA Forward
FINRA Crypto and Blockchain Education Program
Blog Post: FINRA Forward’s Rule Modernization—An Update
Blog Post: Vendors, Intelligence Sharing and FINRA’s Mission
Blog Post: FINRA Forward Initiatives to Support Members, Markets and the Investors They Serve
SEC Regulation Best Interest (Reg BI)
5310. Best Execution and Interpositioning
Ep. 168: Investing Wisely in 2025: Avoiding Scams and Achieving Your Financial Goals
Ep. 173: Vendor Vigilance: Navigating Third-Party Risk
Ep. 177: Previewing FINRA’s Crypto and Blockchain Education Program
Ep. 180: Building Cybersecurity Resilience Through FINRA Forward

Find us: LinkedIn / X / YouTube / Facebook / Instagram / E-mail

Subscribe to our show on Apple Podcasts, Google Play and by RSS.

As a self-regulatory organization, engagement with member firms is vital to FINRA’s success. On this episode, we highlight engagement opportunities, provide insight into how FINRA is listening and taking action on what we're hearing, and encourage even more listeners to get actively involved in FINRA's outreach.
FINRA Senior Vice President Kayte Toczylowski is joined by two current FINRA regional committee members: Serving on FINRA's Midwest regional committee, Margaret Dubil, Director of Surveillance for Stifel, Nicolaus & Company, and Stifel Independent Advisors; and serving on the New York regional committee, Peter Garcia, Head of Business Development and Controls at Rabobank and Officer of Rabo Securities USA, Rabobank's U.S. broker- dealer. The two provide firsthand experience on engaging with FINRA.
Resources mentioned in this episode:
FINRA Forward
FINRA Crypto and Blockchain Education Program
Blog Post: FINRA Forward’s Rule Modernization—An Update
Blog Post: FINRA Forward Initiatives to Support Members, Markets and the Investors They Serve
FINRA Conferences and Events
2025 Involvement and Election Process Overview
FINRA Engagement Portal
FINRA Advisory Committees

Find us: LinkedIn / X / YouTube / Facebook / Instagram / E-mail

Subscribe to our show on Apple Podcasts, Google Play and by RSS.