FINRA Finalizes SLATE Rule 6540: The Definitive Guide to Securities Lending Transparency Requirements (Effective 2026)

On April 2, 2026, FINRA Rule 6540 under the new SLATE (Securities Lending and Transparency Engine) Rule 6500 Series will take effect, ushering in a new era of regulatory transparency in the securities lending market. Mandated by SEC Rule 10c-1a under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, FINRA’s new framework sets out detailed reporting and public dissemination requirements for securities loans and their modifications. These changes represent a significant expansion in regulatory oversight and transparency and will affect broker-dealers, agent lenders, institutional investors, and other market participants engaged in securities lending. This guide outlines the obligations, timeline, mechanics, legal challenges, and implications of Rule 6540 in a comprehensive manner, providing all the information market participants need to comply and strategize under the new regime.