Data is at the heart of everything we do at FINRA—from examining firms to detecting suspicious trading to protecting investors. But the process of requesting, gathering, and analyzing data involves significant effort across the board.

So, the question is: How do we work smarter? How do we use technology and collaboration to be more targeted in what we ask for, more efficient in how we use it, and more effective in the oversight we provide?

On this episode, Sam Draddy, Senior Vice President of Surveillance and Market Intelligence, and J. Koutros, Senior Vice President of Member Supervision Operations, Procedures, and Standards, explore how FINRA's approach to data requests is evolving. This effort embodies FINRA Forward, our commitment to continuous improvement, regulatory efficiency, and reducing burden while strengthening investor protection and market integrity.

Resources mentioned in this episode:

FINRA Rule 8210

Electronic Blue Sheets (EBS)

FINRA Quarterly Regulatory Policy Agenda

FINRA Forward

Blog Post: FINRA Forward’s Rule Modernization—An Update

Blog Post: Vendors, Intelligence Sharing and FINRA’s Mission

Blog Post: FINRA Forward Initiatives to Support Members, Markets and the Investors They Serve

Blog Post: A Progress Update on Rule Modernization

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Financial security is about more than just building wealth: It's about resilience, preparation, and having the tools to weather whatever comes your way. And right now, with rising costs, market volatility, and evolving fraud risks, investors need that security more than ever.

On this episode, FINRA Investor Education Foundation President and Senior Vice President of Investor Education Gerri Walsh discusses what financial security really means in 2026, and how firms can help protect and empower their customers. This conversation sits at the heart of FINRA Forward, our commitment to evolving alongside the rapidly changing securities industry in support of our mission of protecting investors and market integrity.

Resources mentioned in this episode:

BrokerCheck

Market Data Center

Fund Analyzer

Fixed Income Data

FINRA Investor Education Foundation

Protecting Consumers from Fraud

FINRA Forward

Blog Post: FINRA Forward’s Rule Modernization—An Update

Blog Post: Vendors, Intelligence Sharing and FINRA’s Mission

Blog Post: FINRA Forward Initiatives to Support Members, Markets and the Investors They Serve

Ep. 168: Investing Wisely in 2025: Avoiding Scams and Achieving Your Financial Goals

Ep. 183: Investors in the United States: Key Trends and Insights from the National Financial Capability Study

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The FINRA Investor Education Foundation’s National Financial Capability Study is an expansive source of data and insights about the financial lives of U.S. adults. Conducted every three years, this wide-ranging research effort includes the Investor Survey, an in-depth exploration of the attitudes, behaviors, knowledge and experiences of retail investors across the country.

In December, the FINRA Foundation published the latest iteration of the survey, titled "Investors in the United States: Results from the FINRA Foundation’s National Financial Capability Study." Drawing on responses from nearly 3,000 respondents in the U.S. with non-retirement investment accounts, the latest edition builds on previous Investor Survey reports, conducted every three years since 2015.

On this episode of FINRA Unscripted, FINRA Foundation President Gerri Walsh, the Foundation's Research Director Gary Mottola, and Senior Researcher Olivia Valdes discuss the study's wide-ranging findings and implications.

Resources mentioned in this episode:

The National Financial Capability Study (NFCS)

Investors in the United States A Report of the National Financial Capability Study

State-by-State NFCS

Investing Knowledge Quiz

Ep. 176: National Financial Capability Study: Key Trends and Insights

You Know More Than You Think: Unrealized Knowledge in “Don’t Know” Responses to Financial Knowledge Questions

2026 FINRA Annual Regulatory Oversight Report

BrokerCheck

Social Media Key Topics Page

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