Personal Finance

On June 30, 2020, new rules take effect that are designed to help retail investors better understand and navigate their relationships with investment professionals and make informed choices about the type of relationship for their needs and circumstances. The new Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) rules, among other things, enhance the standard of conduct broker-dealers must provide to their retail customers and require broker-dealers and SEC-registered investment advisers (RIAs) to provide a new relationship summary – Form CRS – to retail investors.

When markets drop sharply or show signs of turbulence, investors often shift their assets to what they perceive to be safer investments. But fraudsters know this—and they can quickly change their pitches to match what investors seek.

FINRA, NASAA, and the staff of the SEC’s Office of Investor Education and Advocacy have joined together to provide this warning to investors about promoters targeting retirement accounts, as well as to provide a few key considerations for investors thinking of using 401(k) withdrawals or loans to purchase securities.

The COVID-19 pandemic is affecting most aspects of our society and daily lives, as well as the U.S. economy and markets. Events with such profound impact routinely create opportunities for financial fraud. In addition to new scams focusing on COVID-19, previous scams may also find new life as fraudsters adapt to and exploit recent events and related vulnerabilities, especially those related to the remote working environment.

Stablecoins are crypto assets that aim to manage volatility by tracking the values of more stable assets, like fiat currencies, among other things. Though the name might imply otherwise, stablecoins are not without risks for investors.

The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act of 2020 provides more than $2 trillion in relief for businesses and individuals affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. The new law includes provisions that provide temporary support related to retirement assets and student loan payments to help Americans deal with the economic impacts of the pandemic. Here are 4 things to know.

The warning bells are ringing. From regulators, law enforcement agencies, and consumer organizations around the globe, the message is clear: fraudulent schemes related to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic have arrived, and they are coming in many forms, from investment fraud to fake CDC emails to phishing scams. And unfortunately, efforts to stop the spread of the virus may put investors in a precarious position when it comes to avoiding fraud.

When financial markets experience turbulence, Wall Street employs a jargon all its own to describe important elements of tough, uncertain times. Here's a look at some of the most common terms and what they mean.

When it feels like so many things are out of our control, sometimes the best thing to do is focus on the things that are. Here are five questions to ask for some financial peace of mind in the age of coronavirus.

FINRA and the SEC’s Office of Investor Education and Advocacy are issuing this Investor Bulletin to urge you to consider adding a “trusted contact person” to your brokerage account.