4.2. Unlawful Representations Concerning Registrations

The financial services industry is overflowing with designations and titles consumers don’t understand. In fact, financial regulators have taken steps in recent years to limit the usage of superfluous professional titles, as well as educate the public about what actually means what.

Some titles and distinctions can be misleading to potential clients. For instance, though a professional might earn credentials such as a Certified Financial Planner (CFP) or Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA), such distinctions are not endorsed by FINRA. Instead, they are bestowed upon a professional by an independent organization, and that should never be repres