Under FINRA's suitability rules, a registered representative must have a reasonable basis to believe a recommendation is suitable based on the customer's:

Why D — Investment profile including objectives, risk tolerance, financial situation, and time horizon

FINRA's suitability obligation (now part of Reg BI for broker-dealers) requires that recommendations be based on the customer's investment profile, which includes: investment objectives (growth, income, preservation), risk tolerance, financial situation (income, net worth, liquid net worth), time horizon, liquidity needs, tax status, and other investments. Credit scores (A), social media (C), and family portfolios (D) are not part of the required investment profile.