AD Banker Comprehensive Questions- Series 63 Flashcards
Under the USA, which of the following are agents?
I An individual who represents a broker-dealer in the sale of exempt securities
II An individual who represents an issuer in the sale of exempt securities
III An individual who represents an issuer in the sale of non-exempt securities in exempt transactions
IV An individual represents an issuer in sales of the issuer’s common stock to employees of the issuer for commissions
A
I and IV
An individual representing an issuer in the sale of common stock to its employees for compensation (commission) must be registered as an issuer agent in that state. If the individual representing the issuer did not receive compensation for the issuer employee transactions, then they would be excluded from registering as an agent. In general, sales people that represent BDs must register as agents. Individuals who directly represent issuers in selling exempt securities or engaging in exempt transactions are excluded from the Uniform Securities Act’s definition of an agent.
If a broker-dealer loses its registration, what will happen with the agent’s registration with that firm?
A
The agent’s registration is terminated and they must repeat the licensing examination
B
The agent’s registration remains active as long as they register with another broker-dealer within 30 days
C
The agent’s registration remains active
D
The agent’s registration is terminated and their license is inactive until they register with another broker-dealer
D
The agent’s registration is terminated and their license is inactive until they register with another broker-dealer
If a broker-dealer loses its registration, the registration for the firm’s agents are terminated. The agent’s license will be inactive until the agent becomes associated with another broker-dealer.
SEC Release IA-1092 specifically mentions all the following as entities who may be required to register as investment advisers, except:
A
Estate planning attorneys
B
Financial planners
C
Pension consultants
D
Sports and entertainment agents
A
Estate planning attorneys
SEC Release IA-1092 was intended to clarify the definition of an investment adviser and its application to categories of persons whose possible inclusion was not anticipated when the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 was passed. IA-1092 specifically references financial planners, pension consultants, and sports and entertainment representatives as being considered investment advisers if their business involves advising on securities.
All the following are correct concerning where an agent must be registered, except:
A
In any state in which the prospect owns real estate
B
In the state where securities are offered or solicited by the agent
C
In the state where securities are sold by the agent
D
In a state where the agent maintains an office
A
In any state in which the prospect owns real estate
An agent must be registered in the agent’s state of residence, the state where the securities are offered, solicited, or advertised by the agent, the state where the securities are sold by the agent, and where the customer resides.
An investment adviser representative (IAR) who is associated with a federal covered IA, has their registration in the state of Idaho terminated. Regarding the IAR’s registration termination:
A
Both the IA and IAR are responsible for notifying the Idaho State Administrator
B
It is the IA who is responsible for notifying the Idaho State Administrator
C
No notification to a state administrator is required if the IA is federal covered
D
It is the IAR who is responsible for notifying the Idaho State Administrator
D
It is the IAR who is responsible for notifying the Idaho State Administrator
If employed by a federal covered investment adviser, the IAR must notify the Administrator when a registration is being terminated.
HT Advisers, a single-office investment advisory firm based in State A, is looking to transact business in State B. Under the Uniform Securities Act, in which of the following cases would HT Advisers not be required to register as an adviser in State B?
I The firm only transacts business with State B broker-dealers and has no office in the state
II The firm only transacts business with small employee benefit plans located in the state, with assets under $1,000,000
III The firm transacts business with 10 or fewer noninstitutional customers in a 12-month period in State B
IV The firm only transacts business in State B with federal covered advisers
A
I, II, and IV
B
I, III, and IV
C
I and IV
D
I and II
C
I and IV
A firm with no office in a state that deals only with institutional clients or with 5 or fewer retail customers would be exempt from registration. The institutional clients include employee benefit plans with assets of at least $1 million. Therefore, the firm in answer choice II does not get the institutional exemption and would be required to register with the state.
According to the Uniform Securities Act, which of the following is true regarding the Administrator?
A
The Administrator does not review advertising and sales literature unless specifically directed by the SEC
B
The Administrator is always appointed by the Governor
C
The Administrator must be elected by majority vote
D
The Administrator may review advertisements for non-exempt securities
D
The Administrator may review advertisements for non-exempt securities
The Administrator does not write the securities law but, rather, enforces the laws that are created by the legislature. The Administrator has the power to review advertising and sales literature for non-exempt securities and may examine records both in and out of their home state.
Which of the following would not be an agent under the Uniform Securities Act?
A
An individual that works for JKR Brokerage that deals exclusively with large corporate clients
B
An individual that works for CSH Brokerage that accepts unsolicited orders and is paid a salary
C
An individual that works for BST Advisory Services creating financial plans for compensation
D
The head of human resources of XYZ Corporation who enrolls employees in the corporate retirement and stock option plans and receives compensation for each enrollment
C
An individual that works for BST Advisory Services creating financial plans for compensation
Under the USA, any individual who represents a broker-dealer or an issuer when buying or selling securities is referred to as an agent. An agent’s compensation may be based on salary or commission. An individual employed by an investment adviser is an investment adviser representative, not an agent. The head of human resources is an individual who represents an issuer and would be excluded from the definition of agent if they received no compensation specific to those transactions. In this question the individual is compensated and is an agent that must be registered. An individual that represents a broker-dealer must be registered unless an exemption applies, for example if the agent works for an exempt Canadian BD.
The effective date of an agent’s or investment adviser representative’s registration is:
A
At noon on the business day after the day on which the application was received by the Administrator
B
At noon on the 30th day after the application was filed
C
5 business days following the submission by the applicant
D
Midnight on the 30th day after the application was filed if the Administrator does not deny it
B
At noon on the 30th day after the application was filed
Registration becomes effective at noon on the 30th day after the application is filed with the Administrator.
Which of the following is an example of an issuer transaction?
A
Exempt transaction
B
OTC trading
C
Initial public offering
D
Private placement
C
Initial public offering
In an issuer or primary market transaction, the proceeds of the sale or benefits of the transaction go to the issuer of the security. New issues of securities, as well as transactions between an issuer and underwriter, are examples of issuer or primary market transactions.
A retail customer of a broker-dealer who temporarily moved to Florida for the winter months has decided to relocate there permanently and notifies their registered representative at the broker-dealer. Regarding the continuance of doing business with the customer, which of the following is true?
A
If not already registered in Florida, the BD will be exempt from registration if they only want to continue doing business with the existing customer
B
If not already registered in Florida, to continue doing business with the customer, the BD will now be defined as a BD in the state of Florida and need to register there
C
If not already registered in Florida, to continue doing business with the customer, the BD will only be required to open an office in Florida, which will exempt it from registration there
D
If not already registered in Florida, the BD will not be a BD in the state of Florida and will be excluded from registering there
B
If not already registered in Florida, to continue doing business with the customer, the BD will now be defined as a BD in the state of Florida and need to register there
Given the retail customer’s new residency in the state of Florida, to continue to do business with the customer the BD will be considered a BD in that state and be required to register there.
Of the following, who must pass a license qualification exam?
A
A broker-dealer agent and an investment adviser representative
B
An officer of an insurance company
C
A broker-dealer and investment adviser
D
A registered mortgage broker
A
A broker-dealer agent and an investment adviser representative
Broker-dealer agents and investment adviser representatives must pass a qualifying exam. Broker-dealers and investment advisers are the firms that employ agents and investment adviser representatives, respectively.
When transactions or the securities involved are exempt from state registration requirements, the agent representing a broker-dealer in such transactions:
A
Is also exempt from registration
B
Is dually registered
C
Must be registered
D
Is exempt only if their broker-dealer is not exempt
C
Must be registered
While certain registration exemptions apply to an agent representing an issuer, an agent representing a broker-dealer must always be registered, whether the security is exempt or non-exempt. When working for a BD, the only time an individual is not required to register is when they are not working in a sales capacity or when they are an agent of an exempt BD.
Advertisements, circulars, fliers, and prospectuses may be subject to filing requirements with the:
A
Consumer protection division of the Office of the State Attorney General
B
Governor’s office
C
Better Business Bureau
D
Administrator
D
Administrator
The Administrator may require that all advertising, marketing, and sales materials that are provided to clients be filed with the Administrator. Exempt securities, exempt transactions, and federal covered securities are not subject to the advertising filing requirements of the USA.
Which of the following persons are considered agents as defined in the Uniform Securities Act?
A
Individuals representing issuers in exempt transactions
B
Individuals representing issuers of certain exempt securities
C
Individuals representing issuers in transactions with employees, and no commission is received
D
Individuals representing issuers in securities transactions
D
Individuals representing issuers in securities transactions
Individuals representing broker-dealers and issuers in securities transactions are defined as agents under the Uniform Securities Act. There are some exclusions. They are: (1) individuals representing issuers of certain exempt securities, (2) individuals representing issuers in exempt transactions, and (3) individuals representing issuers in transactions with employees (where no commissions are involved).
An adviser is ready to register in a state. They will not accept custody of, or have discretionary authority over, customer funds. According to the Uniform Securities Act and NASAA policies and rules, which of the following is not required as part of the adviser’s application?
A
A consent to service of process
B
The qualifications and business history of the applicant
C
An audited balance sheet
D
A description of the firm’s proposed business plan
C
An audited balance sheet
Just like every other category of registrant, investment advisers must file an application with the Administrator. The information that must be included is similar to that required for a broker-dealer: *The applicant’s name and place of organization *The applicant’s proposed method of doing business *The applicant’s financial condition and history *The qualifications and business history of any partner, officer, director, or other person performing a similar function *Any injunction or administrative order involving the securities business *Any misdemeanor conviction involving the securities business, or any felony conviction *A consent to service of process IAs who have custody of customer funds or who require prepayment of fees greater than $500 more than 6 months in advance must submit an audited balance sheet. IAs who have discretionary authority over customer funds, but who do not have custody or require prepayment of fees, must submit an unaudited balance sheet.
According to the USA, all the following investment advisory firms must register as investment advisers in the state if they are not federal covered, except:
A
Firm C, which is located out of state and advises only 14 non-institutional clients in the state
B
Firm D, which is located out of state but advises several major insurance companies and pension funds in the state
C
Firm A, which is located in the state but only advises 1 large pension fund there
D
Firm B, which is located in the state but only advises 5 clients there
B
Firm D, which is located out of state but advises several major insurance companies and pension funds in the state
All investment advisers with places of business in the state must register there. If the investment adviser has no office in the state and only deals with institutional investors in the state, they are exempt from registration. For the de minimis exemption, the firm must not have an office in the state and cannot have more than 5 clients in a 12-month period.
Which of the following broker-dealers must be registered in Texas?
A
A BD with a home office in Idaho, no offices in Texas, and wanting to do business only with institutional investors in Texas
B
A BD with a home office in Idaho, no offices in Texas, and wanting to do business only with other BDs in Texas
C
A BD with a home office in Idaho, no offices in Texas, and wanting to do business only with the issuers of securities involved in a transaction of their own securities who are located in Texas
D
A BD, with a home office in Idaho, wanting to have branch offices in Texas to do business with other BDs in Texas
D
A BD, with a home office in Idaho, wanting to have branch offices in Texas to do business with other BDs in Texas
If the BD wants to have branch offices in Texas, they would need to be registered there. Having no offices in Texas and doing business only with other BDs, institutions, or issuers of securities involved in a transaction of their own securities there would allow for the BD to be excluded from registering there. Remember, BDs must register in any state they maintain an office,and/or a retail client resides in the state.
Acting as an adviser to a private fund with assets of $75 million requires registration for the adviser:
A
In the state where they are located and in any state they solicit or conduct advisory business
B
In the state where the adviser is located only
C
In any state the adviser solicits or conducts advisory business only
D
At the federal level with the Securities Exchange Commission only
A
In the state where they are located and in any state they solicit or conduct advisory business
Advisers to private funds with less than $150 million in assets under management are required to register in the state where they are physically located and in any state where they solicit or conduct advisory business. These state-registered PFAs are known as “exempt reporting advisers”.
The definition of an investment adviser includes which of the following?
A
Publisher of financial advice with specific recommendations for each client
B
Publisher of bona-fide newspapers of general and paid circulation
C
Publisher of bona-fide financial magazines
D
Business and financial publication with specific stock forecasts
A
Publisher of financial advice with specific recommendations for each client
Publishers of financial advice are considered investment advisers if the advice is applied to specific client investment situations. The term investment adviser does not include publishers or columnists of any generally circulated magazine, newspaper, or other business or financial publication that does not give advice on the basis of the specific investment situation of each client.
Which of the following is defined as an investment adviser?
A
An individual that manages and solicits the sale of investment advisory services
B
A firm that makes a market in VCX common stock
C
An individual that works for DCC Brokerage effecting securities transactions for retail investors
D
A firm that provides others with securities-related reports and analysis
D
A firm that provides others with securities-related reports and analysis
An investment adviser is a person (firm) that engages in the business of advising others, either directly or indirectly, through analysis, publications, or writings, as to the value of securities or as to the advisability of investing in, purchasing, or selling securities, and charges a separate fee for such services. An individual that effects securities transactions for a broker-dealer is defined as an agent. A firm that is a market maker is acting in a dealer or principal capacity. An individual that makes any recommendations or gives investment advice regarding securities, manages client accounts or portfolios, determines the nature of recommendations or advice given, solicits, offers, or negotiates for the sale of or sells investment advisory services is defined as an investment adviser representative.
Which of the following is exempt from the broker-dealer registration requirements in State A, but is still a broker-dealer?
A
DEF Investments, a broker-dealer that has offices in State B, transacting business with other broker-dealers in State A
B
ABC Brokerage, with no office in the state, which processed a trade for a customer temporarily in State A, without having an office in State A
C
LMNOP, Inc., a firm that provides investment advice to retail customers in State A
D
XYZ Brokerage, a Canadian BD with no office in the state that conducts transactions with their existing customer that is temporarily in State A
D
XYZ Brokerage, a Canadian BD with no office in the state that conducts transactions with their existing customer that is temporarily in State A
XYZ Brokerage is a broker-dealer, they are conducting securities transactions with a client. XYZ is exempt from registration in State A if they are registered as a BD in Canada. XYZ cannot solicit new clients in the state under this exemption.. ABC Brokerage is excluded from the definition of broker-dealer in State A, since the firm is dealing with an existing customer who is in State A temporarily and they have no office in the state. DEF Investments is solely doing business with broker-dealers in State A, and has no office in the state, so the firm is excluded from the definition of a broker-dealer in State A. LMNOP, Inc. is not a broker-dealer in State A, since they only provide advice on securities. LMNOP is considered an investment adviser. It is important to remember the difference between an exclusion and an exemption. An exclusion means that the person does not meet the definition so is therefore excluded from the group in question. An exemption means that they are part of the group but for some reason they have been released from the obligations for the group in questio
Agents’ and investment adviser representatives’ registrations expire:
A
Annually, on the registration’s anniversary date
B
Biannually
C
Annually, on December 31st
D
License is in force until terminated
C
Annually, on December 31st
The registrations of persons, broker-dealers, agents, investment advisers, and investment adviser representatives, expire annually on December 31 unless they are renewed by paying the appropriate fee to the Administrator.
The USA is preempted by the rules of the:
A
Commissioners
B
Regulatory oversight committee
C
SEC
D
Department of Enforcement
C
SEC
Under NSMIA, when conflict exists between federal and state regulation, federal regulation will always supersede. The SEC has preemptive authority over rules of the Uniform Securities Act and state securities administrators.