FINRA Regulatory Head Luparello Leaving to Join D.C. Law Firm

The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) announced Tuesday that FINRA Vice Chairman Stephen Luparello, who has been at FINRA and one of its predecessor organizations, NASD, for more than 16 years, is leaving to join the WilmerHale law firm in Washington, D.C.

Luparello, whose last day at FINRA will be Oct. 7, served as interim CEO prior to being named Vice Chairman in 2009. He oversees FINRA’s regulatory operations, including Enforcement, Market Regulation, Member Regulation and Business Solutions, and was instrumental in the creation of the Office of the Whistleblower and the Office of Fraud Detection and Market Intelligence in 2009.

“Steve has been at the heart of the work FINRA has done to protect investors for almost 16 years,” said FINRA CEO Richard Ketchum, in a statement. “He helped lead the organization through one of the most critical times for securities regulators and helped build and shape many of FINRA’s regulatory programs. Steve’s leadership in helping FINRA respond to the challenges and changes in the markets has been paramount to FINRA fulfilling its mission of investor protection and market integrity.”