In a recent Acceptance, Waiver and Consent (“AWC”) a broker dealer was censured and fined for, among other things, the failure to conduct an adequate pre-hire investigation of a registered representative. The importance of this AWC is that it may signal FINRA’s mindset for what firms must do under Rule 3110(e).

Under Rule 3110(e), FINRA expects member firms to more of a background check than simply reviewing the new hire’s CRD, and requires firms to have written supervisory procedures specifically designed to verify the accuracy and completeness of the information on the applicant’s U-4. The AWC noted that the member firm only reviewed the new hire’s CRD, and did not conduct any more investigation of that information even though the CRD showed the following: reportable events, including criminal charges, a termination for cause and customer complaints of unauthorized trading.idea.jpg

Although the AWC pre-dates the “go-live” date for Rule 3110(e), it is instructive to member firms. The AWC echoes the fact that a firm will not be insulated if it limits its pre-hire review to the information that appears in the CRD of the potential new hire. Instead, the member firm must do more to get behind the information contained on the CRD for a more detailed understanding.

Rule 3110(e) becomes effective on July 1, 2015. Between now and then, firms should be reviewing their written supervisory procedures regarding pre-hire due diligence. Make sure you have procedures that go above and beyond the CRD, or be faced with possible consequences for the failure to do so.

* photo from freedigtalphotos.net