Inaccurate, false, or defamatory customer disputes don’t have to follow you permanently. We manage the entire FINRA expungement process — from case evaluation to final CRD removal.
Customer disputes appear publicly on BrokerCheck — where clients, prospects, and employers can see them. Even when the allegations are false, exaggerated, or entirely without merit, those disclosures stay visible for years.
FINRA allows qualified registered representatives and investment advisers to remove customer dispute disclosures through an arbitration process when the grounds for expungement are met. The process is thorough and requires experienced legal representation — but when you have a strong case, it’s worth pursuing.
We handle the full process: case evaluation, FINRA arbitration filing, evidence development, hearing representation, and post-award CRD removal. You focus on your practice while we manage the legal work.
CRD expungement is the process of permanently removing a customer dispute disclosure from your Central Registration Depository (CRD) record — the regulatory database maintained by FINRA that tracks the history of brokers and investment advisers.
Your CRD record is the source of what appears on BrokerCheck, FINRA’s public disclosure website. When someone looks you up, they see customer complaints, regulatory actions, and employment history pulled directly from your CRD record.
A successful expungement removes the disclosure from your CRD record entirely — it no longer appears on BrokerCheck. The process goes through FINRA arbitration and, upon a favorable award, requires court confirmation before FINRA updates the record.
Customer disputes remain on BrokerCheck even if the claim was settled for nuisance value, you were never found liable, or the allegations were demonstrably false. Expungement is the process for correcting the record.
Our FINRA expungement lawyers manage the entire process from initial evaluation through final removal. Here’s what’s covered:
Not every disclosure can be expunged. FINRA Rule 2080 sets specific criteria that must be met. There are three grounds on which expungement may be granted:
1.
The alleged conduct could not have occurred as described. The timeline, facts, or documentary record makes the claim impossible.
Example: Customer claims you recommended a specific investment on a date when you were not registered or employed at the firm.
2.
The claim is demonstrably false and without factual basis. Evidence clearly proves the allegation did not occur and there is no merit to the complaint.
Example: Customer claims you made unauthorized trades, but all account documentation shows proper written authorization.
3.
The claim is clearly defamatory — it damages your reputation without justification and was made without a factual basis.
Example: Customer filed a complaint solely to harm your professional reputation after you declined to act against your obligations.
Each case is unique. If your situation seems borderline, schedule a free evaluation — we’ll give you an honest assessment.
Typically 4–8 months from FINRA filing to final CRD removal. The timeline depends on FINRA’s arbitration scheduling (usually 3–6 months for a hearing date), case complexity, and court confirmation processing time. We’ll give you a realistic estimate during your case evaluation.
In most cases, customers do not actively oppose expungements. They’re notified of the arbitration but often don’t participate. If they do oppose it, we handle all responses and arguments on your behalf.
No. Expungement removes the disclosure from your CRD record — it doesn’t reverse settlements or recover money paid. The two are entirely separate: you’re correcting the public record, not undoing the financial resolution.
Your former firm will be notified and may take a position. We’ve successfully obtained expungements even when firms initially expressed opposition. Our job is to present the case effectively to the arbitration panel.
Yes, but each disclosure requires separate analysis. Some can be combined in a single arbitration proceeding; others require separate filings. We’ll advise on the most efficient strategy during your evaluation.
If the panel denies expungement, the disclosure remains on your CRD record. This is why the initial case evaluation is critical — we only recommend proceeding when the case is strong. There’s no cost to the evaluation, and we’ll give you our honest assessment before recommending next steps.
If you’re carrying a false, defamatory, or factually impossible disclosure on your CRD record, expungement may be an option.