FINRA International, as its name implies, works with international regulators to support and improve oversight of firms with multinational operations.  Specifically, FINRA’s International Department works to:

• establish and maintain close working relationships with key international regulators and regulatory bodies, fostering greater regulatory harmonization and cooperation;
• integrate international regulatory best practices at both the policy and operational levels at FINRA; and
• promote high standards of regulation worldwide through its cooperation with global regulatory organizations, such as International Organization of Securities Commissions (IOSCO) and the Council of Securities Regulators of the Americas.

Memorandums of Understanding.   "MoUs" get their fair share of ridicule, but they provide FINRA and its foreign counterparts with invaluable information sharing.  The need for international cooperation has been demonstrated time and again by cross-border market abuse, including numerous instances of foreign nationals trading U.S. securities on the basis of insider information. 

FINRA Rule 8210 provides FINRA with the authority to enter into agreements with domestic federal agency, or subdivision thereof, or foreign regulator to share information for any regulatory purpose.  MoUs are subject to certain confidentiality conditions, and, in the case of a foreign regulator, certain jurisdiction and reciprocity conditions.  The following MoUs were entered into pursuant to that authority:

• UK Financial Services Authority (FSA)
• France’s Autorité des marchés financiers (AMF)
• Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC)
• Investment Industry Regulatory Organization of Canada (IIROC)

For further information, visit:   [FINRA Int'l Page]