SEC and FINRA have recently announced several regulatory and procedural enhancements designed to improve transparency, strengthen cybersecurity, and enhance the integrity of the regulatory process.

One of the most significant operational changes is FINRA’s implementation of identity verification through ID.me for users of the FINRA Entitlement Platform. This new requirement is intended to strengthen cybersecurity, protect sensitive regulatory information, and reduce the risk of unauthorized access to FINRA systems. Users who meet FINRA’s identity verification
criteria will be required to complete this process in order to maintain access to applicable FINRA
systems.

What This Means for Your Firm

FINRA will implement the new identity verification requirements through a phased rollout based
on organization type:

• On May 11, 2026: The rollout began for Investment Adviser (IA) Firms, Service Providers, and Regulators.
• Beginning September 28, 2026: The rollout will begin for the Broker-Dealer (BD) community, including Broker-Dealers, Joint BD/IA Firms, and Funding Portals.

Users will receive an email notification from FINRA approximately one week before they are required to complete identity verification. Because the rollout is phased, not all users within the same organization will be required to verify on the same date, and individuals with multiple

FINRA Entitlement accounts may be asked to verify each account separately.

To help ensure a smooth verification process, FINRA recommends having the following
available before you begin:

• A valid government-issued photo ID (driver’s license, state-issued ID, or passport)
• Your Social Security Number, if applicable
• A smartphone with a camera or a computer/tablet with a webcam
• A stable internet connection
• A personal email address for your ID.me account (rather than a business email address)
• If you already have an ID.me account, do not create a new one—simply use your existing credentials.

Frequently Asked Questions

What if I do not have a U.S. passport?
If you are a non-U.S. resident, you may generally use a valid foreign passport to complete the verification process. Depending on your residency status, FINRA may also require a live video verification and, in some cases, proof of address.

What if I do not have a Social Security Number?
International users who do not have a Social Security Number will be guided through an alternative verification process. Depending on your circumstances, you may be asked to provide additional documentation, such as proof of your international address, and complete a live video verification.

What if I already have an ID.me account?
If you already use ID.me to access another government agency, such as the IRS or Social Security Administration, you should use your existing account. FINRA recommends maintaining only one ID.me account.

What if I cannot complete the online verification?
If the automated verification process cannot verify your identity, ID.me will provide instructions for completing verification through a secure live video call with a verification agent. In limited circumstances, in-person verification may also be available.

If you have questions regarding these new requirements or would like assistance preparing for the rollout, please contact your ICS representative.

For additional information, please visit:

FINRA Identity Verification: https://www.finra.org/filing-reporting/entitlement/identity-verification
ID.me Help Center (24/7 Support): https://help.id.me