In the 1930s, the Securities and Exchange Commission introduced a doctrine of sorts that contained the shingle theory. It’s a little outdated today, especially since brokerages can operate without a brick-and-mortar store (ergo the “shingle”), but also for other reasons. The shingle theory is the theory that a broker who opens up a shop (“hanging a shingle”) will be an honest and fair businessman with his customers, taking responsibility where it’s due.
It’s a nice idea, but the real world tells us to be on our guard with brokerages. While there are legit brokerages out there, there are also scam brokerages, and everything in-between (think: “grey” brokerages that aren’t all scams, but aren’t totally honest, either).
The U.S. government has tried to keep brokers honest. There’s the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA), and other agencies that have slapped rules, regulations, and oversight onto brokerages. A few bad apples ruin the party for everyone.
Related or Semi-related Video
Finance: What is FINRA?5 Views
finance a la shmoop what is FINRA? Financial Industry Regulatory Authority
once again for those in the back that's Financial Industry Regulatory
Authority FINRA it's kind of a yoga mantra thing because firms get FINRA'd [Woman meditating with yoga]
every day well FINRA is the private agency that
regulates exchanges and brokerage firms that are members they administer tests
and actually create them you know like these the series exams which we just [Series exams appear]
happen to have shmoop if you've got 70 to 80 spare hours and want to give them
a looksie... think about all the bad PR that sleazy financial wheeler-dealers [Financial dealers discussing matters]
got back in the 1930s before the various acts were enacted you know the 33 34 40
nobody was gonna trust "Wall Street people" unless there was a kind
of Good Housekeeping Seal of fair-and-square dealers who made sure
that the various laws and compliance things were actually upheld..Note,
importantly that it isn't the job of FINRA or well any government body to
recommend buying selling or holding any particular security because you're gonna
make money it's only their job to be sure that the letter of the law is [Letter of law appears]
followed and that that letter is presented in a way so that everyone has
fair access to relevant and similar information it's all about making a fair
and square level playing field for all without that well Manhattan would look a
lot more like Mogadishu than Manhattan [Manhattan skyline appears]
Up Next
What is insider trading and the Securities Fraud Enforcement Act of 1988? It's nothing too complicated, if this minute long video is any indication.
The Securities Amendments Act of 1975 created a national market clearing system to standardize stock prices and transaction costs from state to state.
What's the SEC? Easy. Seals Eating Candy. Or maybe Silly Elephants Canoodling? We can never remember. Guess it's time to watch this video and refre...