FINRA fines are significantly lower for the first half of 2013, according to a new report by Sutherland Asbill & Brennan, LLP. An analysis of Disciplinary and Other FINRA Actions projects that fines will drop 41 percent in 2013 compared to last year’s figures, if the agency keeps its current pace.
The picture is a bit deceptive, though. The actual number of disciplinary actions has only decreased slightly, dropping from 609 in the first six months of 2012 to597 actions in the same period this year.
The dramatic drop in total fines is likely attributable to the conclusion of cases related to the 2008 financial crisis which generally resulted in “supersize” fines. FINRA has only levied two large financial penalties this year, compared to seven in 2012.
The latest report also reveals trends about who FINRA is targeting now and why. The top five enforcement issues in 2013 include:
- Municipal securities: 25 cases with fines totaling $4.3 million
- Electronic communications: 27 cases with fines totaling $2.5 million
- Mutual funds: 18 cases with fines totaling $2.1 million
- Suitability: 31 cases with fines totaling $1.7 million
- Short selling: 16 cases with fines totaling $1.5 million
FINRA is also increasingly pursuing firms rather than individual actors. For the first six months of 2013, firms were named in 38 percent of enforcement actions, compared to 34 percent last year.
The report is most notable for FINRA’s current focus areas. Numbers are projections, let’s see what the second half of 2013 reveals.
As always, if you have questions or comments, please call, e-mail or tweet me @Bettina Eckerle.
Eckerle Law offers legal advice in a variety of transactional and regulatory matters and serves companies’ plenary business law needs. Its founder, Bettina Eckerle, is a veteran of Debevoise & Plimpton and Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz. She also served as the General Counsel of two companies en route to IPO. Please visit the Eckerle Law website for more details.