what is finra brokercheck 
finra brokercheck is a free online tool that helps individuals research brokers investment firms and financial advisers investors can obtain a variety of information including descriptions services offered credentials sanctions and registrations that may be helpful in the selection and vetting of an individual financial advice provider or brokerage firm brokercheck is offered and administered by the financial industry regulatory authority finra the largest non governmental securities firm regulator in the united states the data and information available in brokercheck come mainly from the central registration depository crd the securities industry online registration and licensing database which provides broker and brokerage information and the securities and exchange commission s investment adviser registration depository iard database 1understanding finra brokercheckfinra brokercheck contains information on approximately 3 380 brokerage firms 150 650 branch offices and over 620 850 registered securities representatives and is an explanatory tool that shows how to properly use and manage the information provided with finra brokercheck an investor can find a firm s history learn of any indiscretions and locate and identify popular choices among investors 21