Tr?id=566623520170033&ev=PageView&noscript=1

FINRA Proposes Rule Change to Delay Immediate Sanctions Pending SEC Review

Posted on July 3rd, 2025 at 9:57 AM
FINRA Proposes Rule Change to Delay Immediate Sanctions Pending SEC Review

From the desk of Jim Eccleston at Eccleston Law

The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (“FINRA”) has proposed a rule change that would allow broker-dealers and registered representatives to seek a stay of certain disciplinary sanctions before those penalties take effect. AdvisorHub reports that the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) still must approve the proposal.

Under current FINRA rules, many sanctions, including suspensions and industry bars, take immediate effect upon issuance. As reported by AdvisorHub, firms and individuals have little recourse before pursuing an appeal with the SEC. The proposed amendment would authorize FINRA staff and adjudicators to delay the effectiveness of certain sanctions, giving respondents time to request a stay from the SEC or take other appropriate action.

This shift follows increased scrutiny over the immediacy of FINRA’s disciplinary actions, particularly in light of the Alpine Securities case. In June, the U.S. Supreme Court declined to hear Alpine’s appeal after a lower court declined to halt a FINRA expulsion before SEC review. Although FINRA maintains that the Alpine litigation remains ongoing, the proposed rule acknowledges concerns raised by the case regarding the fairness of immediate sanctions without SEC oversight.

 

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

Tags: eccleston, eccleston law, finra, sec

Return to Archive

TESTIMONIALS

Previous
Next
Quotes Bigger

Thank you so very much for your guidance, patience, and expertise.

Beth and Steve K.

LATEST NEWS AND ARTICLES

1788893582 Law
September 8, 2026
Drive Planning Founder Sentenced to 20 Years for $380 Million Ponzi Scheme

Todd Burkhalter, founder and CEO of Georgia-based financial advisory group Drive Planning LLC, received a 20-year federal prison sentence for orchestrating a years-long Ponzi scheme that defrauded more than 2,000 investors of approximately $380 million.

1788870175 Law
September 8, 2026
Merrill Lynch and Advisor Settle Court Case for $6 Million After Advisor Allegedly Exploited Grieving Widow

A financial advisor allegedly exploited a client's grief over the deaths of her father and husband, showering her with attention before persuading her to hand over millions of dollars in gifts, according to reporting by InvestmentNews.

1788461574 Law
September 3, 2026
Texas Investment Adviser Faces Washington State Charges Over Misleading Crypto Portfolio Claims

Washington state securities regulators have charged an Austin, Texas registered investment adviser (RIA) and its founder with making misleading statements about the risks tied to one of its model portfolios, which invested heavily in crypto-backed products and volatile exchange-traded funds, according to InvestmentNews.