FINRA Registration Question

Hello WSO community,


I’m reaching out here as another source of info hopefully as I’m looking to try to understand a certain topic / receive guidance on what to do. 
 

I understand from my own personal experience/knowledge and reading through FINRA’s website as a non-lawyer that anyone who works at an investment bank helping to execute M&A deals and the like may need to be registered with FINRA prior to being able to work on those deals. (I think this understanding may even include interns but I may be off and that is besides the point here). Unless I’m wrong, I understand that for me to be working for an investment bank as a full-time analyst helping to execute M&A deals, I may need to be registered with FINRA. If my firm is not taking the time to register me but is still requiring me to work as an investment banker and facilitate M&A deals, can I potentially be found liable by FINRA for violating securities law? 
 

I believe I may appreciate any knowledgeable guidance on this matter if anyone reading this has some information or input they think may help. Thank you. Best wishes to all

 

If my firm is not taking the time to register me but is still requiring me to work as an investment banker and facilitate M&A deals, can I potentially be found liable by FINRA for violating securities law? 

Yes, it's possible but it's highly dependent on what you're actually doing at your job. 

Do you happen to not work in a bulge bracket by chance? Every analyst I know at one is registered with FINRA, but at smaller shops I see this way less often for analysts. Instead only their principals (MD, VP, etc.) are registered while all lower level employees (analysts, associates, etc.) aren't. 

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