CRC-Oyster Strengthens Broker-Dealer Applications Team Support Amid Increased Demand

Led by former FINRA Membership Application Program professionals, the team supports firms through New (NMA) and Continuing (CMA) Membership Application approvals

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--CRC-Oyster, a full-service consulting firm providing compliance, risk, operational, and technology advisory services for the financial services industry, is continuing to strengthen its Broker-Dealer Applications Team, a longstanding vertical within the firm, that supports organizations seeking FINRA approval for new registrations and material changes to existing broker-dealer memberships.

The Broker-Dealer Applications Team is led by former FINRA professionals, including Lisa Robinson, former Senior Director of FINRA’s Membership Application Program Group, along with Jonathan Telfair and Armando Valdes, both former Applications Managers within FINRA’s MAP Group. Their experience reflects the team’s long-standing role advising firms on how a business’s vision, offerings, and long-term goals must be translated into a regulatory framework that meets FINRA’s expectations, a process that remains one of the most complex and often misunderstood in financial services.

The team works with both first-time applicants and established broker-dealers to translate business plans into clear, regulator-ready submissions that define how a firm will operate, supervise risk, and meet regulatory obligations. Each engagement begins with a detailed review of a firm’s current structure and future objectives, allowing the team to develop a tailored application strategy aligned with both regulatory requirements and long-term business goals.

“Firms often underestimate how much the membership process tests their business model,” said Mitch Avnet, CEO and Managing Partner of CRC-Oyster. “FINRA is not just reviewing paperwork. They are evaluating how a firm plans to operate, supervise risk, and scale over time. Our role is to help clients think through those questions early, so the application process supports the business they want to build rather than creating friction later.”

Drawing on experience on both sides of the regulatory table, the Broker-Dealer Applications Team applies a balance of technical precision and professional judgment to each application, helping firms anticipate regulatory questions, identify risk early, and address issues before they become obstacles.

“Membership work is both an art and a science,” said Robinson, Managing Director and Head of Membership Applications Advisory at CRC-Oyster. “The science is understanding the rules, the process, and what FINRA will focus on. The art is understanding the firm, its people, and its vision, and knowing how to present that story clearly and credibly to regulators. When those two elements come together, the process is more efficient and the outcome is stronger.”

Compliance Risk Concepts (CRC) acquired Oyster Consulting in June 2025. Following the integration of legacy CRC and Oyster capabilities, CRC-Oyster advises on a significant number of broker-dealer applications each year across a wide range of business models. In response to increased client activity around broker-dealer formation and business changes, CRC-Oyster has continued to invest in and expand resources within this established practice area. Beyond initial approval, the Broker-Dealer Applications Team works closely with CRC-Oyster’s broader compliance, risk, operations, and technology professionals to help firms establish a compliance foundation designed to endure as their business grows and evolves.

To learn more about CRC-Oyster’s Broker-Dealer Applications Team and how the firm supports broker-dealers from vision through FINRA membership and beyond, visit https://compliance-risk.com/service/broker-dealer-compliance-services/.

About CRC-Oyster

CRC-Oyster is a full-service consulting firm providing compliance, risk, operational, and technology advisory services to the financial services industry. The firm works with organizations across the financial services ecosystem to address complex business, regulatory, and operational challenges, supporting clients through key moments of growth, change, and oversight. CRC-Oyster combines senior-level advisory expertise with practical execution to help firms operate with confidence and build resilient, scalable businesses. For more information, visit https://compliance-risk.com/.

About Re-Sourcing Group

Re-Sourcing is a leading professional services firm offering staffing, consulting and direct hire services that specialize in finance & accounting, legal & compliance and information technology. Re-Sourcing serves clients through its distinguished portfolio of premium brands, including Compliance Risk Concepts, Conexus, JW Michaels, ExecuSource, Perennial Resources, Partnership Employment and Technology Navigators. Founded in 2003, Re-Sourcing and its brands are strategically located in 20 offices across 10 markets nationwide. Re-Sourcing’s differentiated operating partner model facilitates a strong focus on building direct client relationships to bolster retention and deepen the firm’s understanding of its client’s needs. For more information, visit https://www.myresourcing.com/.

About MidOcean Partners

MidOcean Partners is a premier New York-based alternative asset manager specializing in middle-market private equity and alternative credit investments. Since its inception in 2003, MidOcean Private Equity has targeted investments in high-quality middle-market companies in the consumer and business services sectors. For more information, visit https://www.midoceanpartners.com/.