chapter 2 Flashcards
Supervision
Each member is required to establish, in writing, a supervisory system to manage the business in which it engages and the activities if its RR and AP’s Designate Principals to enforce the firms written procedures ID to FINRA which of its offices are designated as OSJ’s ID to FINRAwhich principles are responsible for reviewing and taking action to achieve compliance Suitability is high on the list
Supervisors must take reasonable steps to prohibit manipulative and deceptive practices in either exempt or non exempt?
Both are correct
If a customer refuse to provide financial information….
the member firm may use whatever information is available to decide whether to open the account. Recommendations must be suitable….if information is not provided, the account may be opened but no investment recommendations may be made.
OSJ
Order execution or market making public offerings or private placements Custody of customer funds and securities Final approval by principal Review and endorsement of orders approval retail comms, except office that solely conducts final approval of research reports
FINRA requires members to id other offices as OSJ’s. To make this determination….
Whether RR at location have regular contact with public # of RR at location Location is geographically distant from another OSJ Whether Securities activities are diverse and complex Whether the members RR are geographically diverse
Responsibilities of OSJ managed by at least one resident general securities principal are to:
Enforce written procedures of the firm periodically review customer accounts Maintain copies of customer records ( new account forms signed by principle, order tickets, confirms) Periodically inspect the branch offices beneath it
FINRA examines records at an OSJ the review all activities at location but also the activities of all non OSJ branch locations reporting to that OSJ…. TRUE/FALSe
TRUE- a copy of the MEMBERS written supervisory procedures and a copy of the FINRA manual mus tbe kept in each OSJ and at each location where supervisory activities are conducted. A copy of of the manual must be made available to customer on request. Access to FINRA manual electronically is ok too
How long must firms preserve a record of the names of all person who are designated as supervisory personnel and the dates the designation was effective
not less than 3 years
Designation Record which is appended to the firms written procedures must be retained for how long?
6 years
True/False A firms procedures must prohibit supervisory personnel from supervising their own activities or having their compensation or continued employment determined by a person they are supervising
TRUE
If the firms size or a supervisory personnel’s position within the firm makes compliance with self supervision impracticable
Sole proprietorship. Firm must document the factors the firm used to make determination and how supervision with respect to supervisory personnel complies with rule
Firms supervisory control policies must include reviews OSJ NON-OSJ NonBRanch Non-OSJ Branch NONbranch
OSJ-annually NON-OSJ Supervising NON-branch locatins- Annually Non OSJ branch- 3 years Non Branch- periodically subject to complexity
Recording rule- if a firm is notified by Finra for the 1st time that it is subject to recording rule, it has a onetime opportunity to do what?
Reduce staffing levels. It can only do so by terminating reps from disciplined firms and cannot do so by hirring additional stall to fall below threshold. Must do so withing 30 days of receiving written notice.
A branch Office is defined as any location heldout to be where one or more AP’s of a member regularly conduct business of effecting transaction in or inducing the purchase or sale of a security except:
- The primary residence of an AP’s ( can’t meet customers and no securities handled, AP assigned to a branch office which is reflection on stationary, orders must go thru branch office)
- Any location that is used for less than 30 bd’s annually (including vacation and 2nd home)
- Any location of convenience used occassionally, or backoffice, exchng floor
- location used primarily for non securities business
- temporary location as part of a business continuity plan
- If office conconvience is a bank, signage is neccessary to comply with rules of bank regulators, FINRA may be displayed and not deemed holding out as branch office under rule 3110
Any location responsible for supervising the activities of persons at one or more nonbranch locations is considered to be……
a branch office, in this case, a supervising branch office.
Finra rules require that there be at least how many principals at an OSJ?
at least one.
FINRA rules require that all RR and principals meet how many times a year to discuss compliance matters?
Once. Can held individually, groups by video, telephone class setting.
Networking arranagements
an agreement between a BD and a financial institution such as a federal or ste charted bank, savings bank, credit union that is contract that offers member services on or off the premises.
a Memeber must be clearly identified and to the extent possible that clearly displays the members name and to the extent practiable a location physically separate from the the banks normal routine.
FINRA and SEC must be permitted access to site.
Networking arrangements signage
Customers must be made aware that products are not FDIC insured, not deposits of the bank, subj to investment risk.
Confirms must state the members is provifing service, not FDIC, may lose value no bank guarentee
Recommendations to Non Institutiomnal accounts
Must be suitable in light of:
- Financial situation
- Tax status
- investment objectives
- risk tolerence
- other holdings
- FAIR dealing
Due diligence by member in obtaining new book of business with regards to customer suitablity
- Due dilegence concerning a prospective RR book, learn nature of business, new dealer agreements
- Advise cutomer that new firm is unwilling to service existing products, option to continue holding at old firm before liqudating
- New firm should review recommendations for a reasonable time following hiring.
Private securities transaction is any transaction executed outside the scope of an associated persons member firm.
Selling away
- Written notice to member describing role, comp, role
- if no comp… may require restrictions upon his particpiation
Exception - benfit for family member and no comp
Rule 3270 outside business activities
Registered person must provide written notice to member, member may impose conditions
finra does not require written consent only notification. The firm must maintain record for 3 years.
When a member firm is acting as a fiduciary on behalf of an issue of securities, such as a list of shareholders. Can member use for other activities?
No
Customer complaints be mainted in a file at the supervising OSJ but the rule does allow member to keep complaint file at office of origination.
What must file contacts n and how long must be kept?
- Each complaint must be accompanied by a statement of resolution and be endorsed by a principal.
- Member must file complaint electronically with finra
- filings must be made within 15 days end of each calendar quarter
- records must be maintained for 4 years
- all complaints resolved or not must be submitted to finra
- finra decides what hits broker check
*
Repurchase agreements are permissible only if:
They are in writing
they involve exempt securities
the time and price of the repurchase are specified
Firms cannot have joint accounts with customers. RR can have joint accounts with customer only if:
- The arrangement has been approved in writing by the member
- and customer and account proceeds are shared in proportion to each party’s contribution
*
Code of procedure. How long does respondent have to respond to complaint.
Respondent has 25 days after receiving complaint to respond.
answers must specifically admit, deny or state not enough information to submit to admit or deny.
if respondent doesnt answer the department will send a second notice requiring an answer within 14 days. If no answer hearing officer to enter a guilty as charged
amened answer is 14 days
Investigations
provide info orally
testimony under oath
access to books and records
how many days if associated person or member fails to comply with NAC?
If complaint is a minor rule violation, the fine does not exceed how much?
$2500
If a customer requests a comply of the predispute arbitration agreement signed on account opening, how many days must a firm respond within
Arbitrators for cases between 50k-100k one arbitrator is selected from where
The arbitrator will be a public arbitrator selected from the public chairperson roster.
FOr claims of more than 100k or for unspecified or non monetary claims, how many arbitrators are selected?
the parties will select and fines will appoint three arbitrators. FINRA rule 12403 allows any party to select an all public panel of arbitrators.
Arbitration involving only industry parties and that do not contain a statutory discrimination claim arbitrators are selected how?
- Disputes between BD’s 50k-100k- single nonpublic from nonpublic chairperson roster
- >100k or unspecified or non-monetary claims 3 non-public arbitrators
- 50-100k betwen and among a single public arbitrator
- >100k 1 non public 2 public arbitrators
Simplified arbitration
any dispute involving 50k or less.
- Customers-single chair qualified public arbitrator and renders a binding decision with in 30 days.
- Industry parties single non public arbitrator
Do customers have a right to request a written explanation as to why a claim was granted or denied?
Yes the request for a written explanation must be made before the arbitation panel holds its firs meeting,
Known as an explained Decision.mmThe parties must submit a joint request
Mediation- Once mediation begins can either party withdraw at any time without the consent of the oother party?
Yes. ( both parties must agree to a mediation prior to opening of hearings)
Mediators are prohibited from seving on an arbitration pannel regarding any matter in which that person served as a mediator.
Matter settled with a MOU
RULE 3130
required to designate and notify FINRA on form BD a principal to serve as CCO and to have a CEO certify that member has in place supervisory procedures.
CEO must conduct one or more meeting with CCO during 12 months and submit a report to BOD and Audit within 45 days of certification.
True or False
Any member who is a party to an open transaction or who has on deposit cash or securities of another member must, on written request, provide the other member with a statement of its financial condition as disclosed in its mist recently prepared balance sheet.
TRUE
Rule 4370
Business Continuity Plan
Rule 1160 Firms required to update the contact info properly no later than 30days and must review with 17 bd’s at end of each calendar year.
Control relationship
if member controls or is controlled by an issuer than before any recommendations must disclose to customer and if not made in writing at that time then it must be disclosed on confirm. Also applies to discretionary accounts.
DPP Roll-Up
Disclose all risks, diclose partners belief concerning fairness, include all reports, opinions and appraisals
Members are prohibited from soliciting votes from limited partners unless any compensation:
- is payable and equal in amount regardless of outcome and
- does not exceed 2%
Value of DPP’s
Member Firms may not participate in public offerings that is not subject to ICA of 1940 or of a REIT unless the issuer at a minimum discloses annually a per share estimated value. Must be accompanied by a written methodology.
Direct Registration System (DRS)
Is an offering of DTC that provides registered owners the option of holding their assets on the books and records of the issuer or their transfer agents in BE form. Alternative to being held in street name.
Offers Speed, accuracy and cost effeciency in transfers vs phsical
Non Durable vs Durable Powers of attorney
- Non Durable are cancled if the grantor becomes mentally ill, incompetent or dies.
- Durable power of attorney cxled on death but remains in forces during mental incompetence
True or False. A new account form requires the signatures of the customer, RR and the Principle approving the accoutn.
False- there is no requirement for the customers signature to be on the account. The only required signature is the principle approving the account.
TRUE/FALSE If a member firm is recommending an issuers securities to a customer and a control relationship exists between the issuer and the member the reltionship must be disclosed either in writting before the recommendation or on the customers confirm
TRUE
TRUE/FALSE- A discetionary trade is one in which the member chooses the action, the security or the price.
Discretionary authority is required if the member chooses the action (buy or sell), the security, or the number of shares being bought or sold.
A principle must approve all discretionary order tickets before executions
False. Discretionary tickets must be reviewed by a principle promptly after execution. In addition a principle must frequently review all discretionary accounts to detect potential abuses
DVP/RVP accounts under rule 2340
If customer account is carried solely for the purpose for execution on a DVP/RVP basis and all trades are done on a DVP/RVP basis, not neccessary to send quarterly statements.
Mahor exception to the rule… Confirms still delivered t+1
Prime Brokerage accounts
SEC rules, minimum of $500k of equity in the account.
Regulation T
sets the intial margin requirement for nonexempt securities at 50% of the market value of the securities being purchased.
Margin accounts with respect to Principals
It is principals responsibility to keep an eye open for how much leverage is used in the customers account.
- Red flags with regards to suitability include unexplained increase in leverage.
True/false Celasring firms that submit requests for extension of time to satisfy Reg T or the reserve equirements of the Customer Protection Rule must submit the request to FINRA
TRUE
A clearing Firm must file monthly report denoting as BD’s for which it clears that have overall ratio of requests for extension of time to total transaction>2%.
Also must submit a report indicating that no extensions were requested
Before letting a customer trade on margin, the customer must sign a margin agreement which has what components?
- Hypothecation Agreement
- Credit Agreement
- Loan consent agreement
Of the 3 section of margin agreemnts, which need to be signed.
While Hypothecation and credit agreemnts must be signed to open a margin account, the loan consent form is options.
At or before opening a margin account to noninstitional customers, members must deliver a disclosure document that addresses risk and must be provided on an annual basis
Margin Disclosures
- you can lose more funds than you deposit
- Forced sales
- Sell without consent
- Cant choose which securities are sold
- can increase its house margin at any time
- not entitled to an extension of time on a margin call
- might be able to extend but it is not a right
Not permitted for misnors and generally for sophiticated investors
Margin Requirements
LMV-Debit= Equity (50%)