What is a Broker CRD Number

Introduction

A broker’s CRD number is a unique identifier FINRA assigns to each registered person and entity. It’s used to track their employment history, licensing, and disciplinary actions throughout their career in the financial industry. Understanding the importance of CRD numbers can help investors make informed decisions about who they work with and protect their financial interests.

What is a Broker CRD Number?

A broker’s CRD number, or Central Registration Depository number, is a seven-digit identifier assigned to them by FINRA. It’s used to track their employment and regulatory history in the financial industry. Brokers must have a CRD number if they work for a FINRA member firm, which includes most broker-dealers in the United States.

The Importance of Broker CRD Numbers

Broker CRD numbers are important because they help investors verify a broker’s employment and regulatory history. By researching a broker’s CRD number, investors can learn about their work experience, licenses, and disciplinary history. This information can help investors make informed decisions about who they work with and avoid potential scams or frauds.

How to Find a Broker’s CRD Number

Investors can find a broker’s CRD number by using FINRA’s BrokerCheck tool. BrokerCheck is a free tool that allows investors to search for information about brokers, including their CRD number, licensing, and employment history. Investors can also request a broker’s CRD number directly from the broker or their firm.

Understanding CRD Number Lookups

CRD number lookups allow investors to search for information about a broker’s employment and regulatory history. By entering a broker’s CRD number into FINRA’s BrokerCheck tool, investors can learn about their licenses, employment history, and disciplinary actions. CRD number lookups are an important tool for investors to use when researching potential brokers.

How to Verify a Broker’s CRD Number

Investors can verify a broker’s CRD number by using FINRA’s BrokerCheck tool. BrokerCheck provides up-to-date information about brokers’ employment and regulatory history, including their CRD numbers. Investors can verify a broker’s CRD number by contacting their firm or using the SEC‘s Investment Adviser Public Disclosure (IAPD) website.

Broker CRD Numbers and FINRA

FINRA is responsible for assigning and maintaining broker CRD numbers. They use CRD numbers to track brokers’ employment and regulatory history throughout their careers. FINRA also provides investors with access to information about brokers’ licenses, employment history, and disciplinary actions through their BrokerCheck tool.

Broker CRD Numbers and SEC

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) uses broker CRD numbers to track brokers

Broker CRD Numbers and State Securities Regulators

State securities regulators also use broker CRD numbers to track brokers’ employment and regulatory history within their state. Each state has its own securities regulator responsible for overseeing brokers and enforcing state securities laws. Investors can use state securities regulators’ websites to look up information about brokers, including their CRD numbers.

The Role of CRD Numbers in Investor Protection

CRD numbers play a critical role in protecting investors by giving them access to information about brokers’ employment and regulatory history. By researching a broker’s CRD number, investors can learn about their licenses, employment history, and disciplinary actions. This information can help investors decide who they work with and avoid potential scams or frauds.

How CRD Numbers Affect Broker Compliance

Brokers are required to maintain accurate and up-to-date information in their CRD records. Failure to do so can result in fines, sanctions, or even license loss. Brokers with disciplinary actions on their records may have difficulty finding employment with reputable firms. Using CRD numbers helps ensure that brokers are held accountable for their actions and that investors are protected.

The attorneys at Sallah Astarita & Cox, LLC are former SEC Staff Attorneys and brokerage firm counsel, with over 100 years of collective experience. If you have received a subpoena from the SEC, a document request from FINRA, or have a dispute with a brokerage firm, call 212-509-6544 for a free consultation. The firm represents investors and financial professionals nationwide.