In an effort to help protect the elderly U.S. population the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) has announced that the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has approved a new rule and an amendment that are specific to customers who are elders. Regulatory Notice 17-11 explains the new rule and amendment: (1) the adoption of new FINRA Rule 2165 (Financial Exploitation of Specified Adults) to permit members to place temporary holds on disbursements of funds or securities from the accounts of specified customers where there is a reasonable belief of financial exploitation of these customers; and (2) amendments to FINRA Rule 4512 (Customer Account Information) to require members to make reasonable efforts to obtain the name of and contact information for a trusted contact person for a customer’s account. Both New Rule 2165 and the amendments to Rule 4512 become effective February 5, 2018. The new rule and amendment are designed to enable financial specialists to be able to more quickly and effectively address suspected financial exploitation of seniors and other specified adults.
