What are FINRA record retention requirements?

FINRA Rule 4511 requires member firms to preserve books and records in a format and media that comply with SEC Rule 17a-4, with a default retention period of at least six years for records that have no specified period elsewhere. Customer account records are generally retained for at least six years after account closure, while customer communications typically require three years. A defensible bank document management program maps each record type to its governing rule and retention period.