What is FINRA?

FINRA is the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, an independent, non-profit organization tasked by Congress to ensure the securities industry operates fairly and according to government regulations. FINRA examines firms to ensure compliance with finance and securities policies. These efforts seek to protect investors and promote transparency.

FINRA is also tasked with writing and enforcing rules that ultimately govern securities firms in the United States, which as of 2014, includes more than 4,100 securities firms and more than 600,000 brokers. FINRA also works to educate investors with training materials. Although the FINRA is tasked by Congress, the organization is not a government agency.