Chapter 2 - Customer Accounts Flashcards
Customer Account Form
Basic info:
1. Name
2. Address
3. SSN or TIN
4. Date of Birth
Obtained prior to account opening directly from customer
Customer Account Form supplemental info
Margin/Cash, Occupation, Citizenship, Statutory insider
Customer Identification Program (CIP)
Inform customers they will be verified. Typically with active Driver’s License, can use database to verify.
SIPC
Provided at account opening.
Insures client against B/D failure
Arbitration agreement
Is not required by FINRA, but in practice every firm requires it. If required, client must also sign acknowledgement of the agreement (copy provided within 30 days of opening)
Pre-dispute Arbitration disclosures
- giving up right to sue
- arbitration is binding
- awards do not have to be explained
- panel will have minority representation of former industry professionals
KYC essential facts are required to
- service account
- handle special instructions
- understand any authority on behalf of customer
- comply with any applicable rules or laws
Account opening Rep Signature
only required if a suitability determination is made, otherwise just manager signs after reviewing info
Account profile
customer must verify within 30 days of opening and every 36 months thereafter (includes info other than basic info)
3 components to suitability
reasonable-basis suitability
customer specific suitability
quantitative suitability
reasonable basis suitability
big picture strategy that could be right for various investors
customer-specific suitability
after reasonable basis, compare it to their investment profile
quantitative suitability
after reasonable basis and customer specific suitability has been determined, how many times can this transaction occur? this rule is to prohibit churning.
Customer personal balance sheet
after all suitability determinations have been made, must be able to determine the client can afford it. know their liquid net worth.
Suitability rule exceptions
Institutional customers
Unsolicited Trades
Investment Analysis Tools
Long Term CD disclosures
subject to market risk
price may go below purchase price
limited secondary market
some are callable
step-up or step-down risk
FDIC only if in customer’s name
Structured Products
Can be very high risk.
Credit risk, there is no underlying portfolio, just the promise from the issuer
Can trade on secondary market, ETNs
Reverse Convertible Note
Buyer is typically neutral or slightly bullish.
Max Gain is 100% principal and yields, Max Loss is converting to worthless stock
PIPE offerings
Reg D, each instance must pass reasonable-basis suitability.
Then customer-specific, even if they are accredited.
Pattern Day Trader
4 or more day trades (round trip) in 5 business days. Must be in margin account
Day Trading Disclosure
Before opening Account
Risky, exaggerated claims, requires knowledge, commissions, margin risks
Day Trading Suitability facts
obtain prior to account opening, or within 10 days of finding out.
objectives, experience, finances, tax status, age/dependents,
Non-managed Fee Based Account (NMFBA)
must determine annually that it is more cost effective than commission based, prevent reverse churning
advisory product
all fee-based accounts, advisor must be an adviser rep.
Senior Citizen risks
firms do not have to “shield” senior citizens from risks they want to take, but must make sure they understand the risks associated
Recs for seniors that need extra justification
variable annuity/life, real estate LP, CDOs, mortgage/IRA funds for high risk investments
25-55 business day holds
if exploitation is suspected for senior or mentally impaired, account can be put on hold, can be extended another 30 days if still suspected. must notify “trusted contact” within 2 days
trusted contact
to disclose info about possible financial exploitation, confirm specifics regarding clients capacity, obtain identity of any guardian or POA
Free lunch seminars
are not prohibited but strongly discouraged
internal process for suspected mental capacity
document and escalate to firm designated persons. then stop trading in account and maintain contact with investor/emergency contact
Margin Account documents
- Must sign margin agreement & receive “margin disclosure statement”
- “loan consent” not mandatory but firms often require it
- “credit disclosure statement” explains loan balance and interest
joint with rights of survivorship, JTWROS
each party owns undivided interest, other person assumes ownership if one dies. new acct info needed for both people, but one will be primary for tax purposes
Tenancy in common
specified interest by each party, death puts their portion to their estate. needs both persons info.
Divorce & joint accounts
if rep knows about divorce, cannot distribute funds without written instructions from both parties
TOD accounts
instead of jt, individual acct, but specified beneficiary that bypasses probate. avoids divorce/second marriage issues
corporate account
copy of corporate charter required
must know who is legally responsible to trade acct via corporate resolution w/ seal
limited trading authorization
buy/sell orders can be entered, but no withdrawal of funds
full trading authorization
trading and money movements allowed
durable/non-durable POA
non-durable ceases if client is mentally incompetent, both cease upon death
fiduciary
a third party is acting in the best interest of the owner of the account
fiduciary accounts
cash account unless specified in appointment docs
follow prudent man/legal list rules OR prudent investor rule- can have risk adjusted profile instead of simply low risk investments
Discretionary accounts
requires POA before any trades
considered discretionary if more than time and price are chosen
not held orders
orders entered “not held” are NOT discretion and they bypass automated systems and are worked by a floor trader. Day orders only.
prohibited trades in discretion
if a principal finds trades are:
unsuitable
too frequent
too big
-any losses to reverse trades are charged to rep
bulk transfers
switching funds via negative consent if it is due to default, m&a, changes in sweep or clearing. must send letter with comparisons and prospectus and then wait 30 days to implement negative consent.
opening accounts for employees of another firm
must obtain, in writing,
1. their association with their member firm
2. approval from their firm before account opening
3. must send duplicate trade confirms and statements upon written request of the employees firm
MF/529 accounts are exempt
FINRA Employees
Cannot buy stock in IPO
Cannot have stake in B/D that contributes to more than 10% of B/D’s revenue
Cannot options trade on B/Ds
Must disclose all brokerage accounts to FINRA and send duplicate statements
UGMA accounts
Anyone can open them and be reimbursed for expenses related to operation
Gifts to account are irrevocable
All securities are in account name
Cannot sit in cash
Only one custodian, no third party authorization, but successor can be listed
No margin/options - “prudent man” but can do covered calls
rights or warrants must be exercised or sold, cannot let expire
UTMA accounts
newer version of UGMA, can include any kind of asset.
Typically goes until age 21 rather than 18
Omnibus account
For Investment Advisors to trade on behalf of large number of clients in one account.
Each client still needs to fill new account form and third party authorization
Charged an annual fee
Prime Brokerage Account
Hedge Fund will have an account at a firm with good clearing and margin capabilities, but still executes trades with other firms. Hence, in this instance, “trading away” is allowed.
Capital Introduction Services
Firms bringing HNW clients to prime brokers who in turn give their prime business to that firm. everything must be suitable.
Numbered Accounts
If the customer wishes to keep their name private, their account can be a number. Firm must keep written record of this agreement and monitor any potential AML issues.
Trade Confirms
Must be sent at or prior to completion of transaction. But typically firms send them on T+1
Account Statements
Monthly if activity, otherwise quarterly.
Any discrepancies must be brought to firm’s compliance department
Holding mail
only by written request can mail be held for up to 3 months. only for valid reasons can it be held longer, convenience does not count