FINRA Announces Improvements to BrokerCheck

FINRA announced new features to BrokerCheck to help users more easily access broker-dealer and investment adviser registration information. With the latest improvements, users now have:

• centralized access to licensing and registration information on current and former brokers and brokerage firms, and investment adviser representatives and investment adviser firms;
• the ability to search for and locate a financial services professional based on main office and branch locations, and the ability to conduct ZIP code radius searches (in increments of 5, 15 or 25 miles); and
• access to expanded educational content available on BrokerCheck, including new help icons that clarify commonly referenced terms throughout the system and within BrokerCheck reports.

In February 2012, FINRA issued Regulatory Notice 12-10, soliciting comments on ways to facilitate and increase investor use of BrokerCheck. The comment period ended on April 27 and FINRA is currently reviewing the 71 comments received.