FINRA Announces Enhancements to Advisor Expungement Process

Posted on August 22nd, 2023 at 1:43 PM
FINRA Announces Enhancements to Advisor Expungement Process

From the desk of Jim Eccleston at Eccleston Law 

The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) has adopted several reforms to tighten the expungement process and has set an implementation date of October 16.

According to AdvisorHub, the reforms are a component of a rulemaking package that the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) approved in April, which has been in development for three years. The changes include a mandate for expungement cases to be unanimously decided by a three-member panel of public arbitrators with specialized "enhanced expungement training" replacing the current option of a sole arbitrator.

Additionally, according to the rules, advisors' expungement requests will be limited to two years after the closing of an arbitration or litigation or three years if the complaint did not result in a formal proceeding. The amendments also mandate that advisors notify state securities regulators of all expungement requests and allow them to participate when attempting to clear their records.

The Public Investors Advocate Bar Association (PIABA) endorsed the final version of FINRA's proposals as a “significant improvement” to prior versions. On the other hand, some state securities regulators believe FINRA should dig deeper, including expanding the rule to prohibit expungement of any arbitrations or litigation where the advisor was found to be liable.

 

Eccleston Law LLC represents investors and financial advisors nationwide in securities, employment, transition, regulatory, and disciplinary matters.

Tags: eccleston, eccleston law

Return to Archive

TESTIMONIALS

Previous
Next

We just wanted to say thanks for your work in helping us get back some of the money we lost. We are not by any means rich, but we have saved some money and we have done so through a tight-fisted approach to most everything we do. So losing a significant chunk of money hurt…especially at a time when everyone else was growing their accounts. We really appreciate the work you did.

Allan and Adele

LATEST NEWS AND ARTICLES

February 25, 2026
Advisors Increase Crypto Allocations as Merrill Lynch Warns of Significant Risks

Financial advisors are placing more client assets into digital currencies, even as major firms caution investors about the asset class's volatility and speculative nature.

February 24, 2026
Merrill Lynch Highlights AI Risks as FINRA Urges Greater Oversight of Emerging Technology

Merrill Lynch has warned that the expanded use of artificial intelligence and machine learning introduces material operational, compliance, and cybersecurity risks for advisory firms.

February 23, 2026
Drive Planning Founder Pleads Guilty to $380 Million Ponzi Scheme

Todd Burkhalter, founder and chief executive officer of Drive Planning LLC, has pleaded guilty to wire fraud after admitting he orchestrated a $380 million Ponzi scheme that defrauded more than 2,000 investors.