FINRA Enforcement Chief Schroeder to Leave Later This Year

FINRA will search both internally and externally for Schroeder's replacement.

FINRA enforcement chief Susan Schroeder.

Susan Schroeder, the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority’s enforcement chief, plans to leave her post later this year, the broker-dealer self-regulator said Thursday.

Jessica Hopper, deputy head of enforcement, has been named the acting head of enforcement. FINRA will search both internally and externally for a new head of enforcement.

No specific date was given for Schroeder’s departure.

Schroeder, who became FINRA’s enforcement chief in 2017, led the consolidation of FINRA’s enforcement functions into a new, unified group.

The consolidated enforcement team now comprises 340 employees working in New York, Rockville, Md., and 14 district offices handling disciplinary actions from across FINRA, from potential fraud to trading-based misconduct to sales practice violations, according to FINRA.

“The transformation of the enforcement programs under Susan’s leadership has enhanced FINRA’s ability to advance that mission and target developing issues that can put investors and markets at risk. I would like to thank Susan for her dedication and service to FINRA,” said FINRA CEO Robert Cook, in a statement.

Schroeder added in the statement that “Enforcement removes bad actors from the market, returns money to wronged investors, and prevents future harm — critical functions so that investors can rely on a safe market to fund their educations, retirements and lives. I am so grateful to have been a part of that important work. The opportunity to lead the department’s consolidation was an additional honor, and I am proud of the innovative solutions FINRA has implemented as part of its commitment to constantly enhancing regulation.”

Prior to becoming FINRA’s head of enforcement, Schroeder was senior vice president and deputy chief of enforcement at FINRA for six years.

Before joining FINRA, Schroeder was a partner in WilmerHale’s Securities Litigation and Enforcement practice.

— Check out FINRA Enforcement Units, Unite! on ThinkAdvisor.