Chapter one Flashcards
Uniform Securities Act Definitions
Two purposes of the USA
Minimize duplication of federal and state registration requirements and to prevent fraud (blue sky laws)
Broker (Agent capacity)
buy and sell security and charge commisison
Dealer (principal capacity)
Buy and sell securities from own inventory , charge mark up/down
Exclusion of term Broker dealer
- Agents
- issuers
- banks, savings institutions and trust companies,
- person who has no place of biz in a state and works EXCLUSIVELY with institutional clients (non retail)
ie. BD in state A only biz is working with BD in state B not be defined as BD b/c only customer is a financial institutions - If BD in state A has client vacation in state B, BD not required to register in state B- snowbird rule
Agent (Register)
Individual who represents a BD OR an issuer in affecting securities
An agent must be registered in all states where they act within the scope of an agent. ,
Receipt of commission not requirement to be agent
If worked with two BD, registration and supervision required by both firms (dual registration atypical but theoretically possible)
* Individual that represents the sale of an interest in an LP is an agent and must be registered as such
Issuer exclusion in definition of an agent ( some exempt Securites)
- US gov securities,
- Municipal securities
- CAD gov securities,
- Banks,
- promissory notes and investment contracts
* Insurance company and Fed Savings/Loans are exempt securities but NOT included in this list
Issuer exclusion in definition of an agent (Exempt transactions)
- non issuer transaction (secondary),
- covered secuirities sold in private placement
- Transaction with investing employees partners or directors of issuer if no commission is paid (ie. HR public stock in 401k plan)
BD exclusions from agent definition
- BD in one state who servicing client temporarily in another state
- Partner, officer or director of BD (only would be agent if personally effect transaction)
Unregistered assistant of an agent
okay if post and update account records,
May NOT handle trades or make recommendations
Investment Advisor (IA)
For compensation, engages in biz of advising others, PM and financial planner
“ABC”
Advise about securities, for thier busines, for compensation
No requirement that client implement the advise
Acting as an IA and BD on same transaction requires written disclosure to the client
A person hired by an investment adviser to perform solicitation activities on behalf of the IA must be registered in each state in which it solicits or transacts business.
Exclusions from definition of IA- Investment Advisor
- IAR
- banks, savings, institutions, trust companies (but not insurance companies), investment companies (all even if they charge a fee for advisory service),
- LATE (Lawyers, accountants, teachers, and engineer) if advise lNCIDENTAL to practice profession
- BD and agents if advise is INCIDENTAL to normal brokerage and no extra comp
- Publishers of newspapers etc general advise
- Federal covered advisors
- Employee benefit plans (401k plans)
IAR
makes recommendations, determines suitability etc, supervises employees who perform function
Must actually give the advise
Include solicitors for fee, must be registered
USA rules define an IAR as one who makes recommendations or gives advice regarding securities, manages clients’ accounts or portfolios, determines suitability of recommendations, solicits, sells, or negotiates investment advisory services, or supervises employees performing such functions. The issuing of securities to the public would be performed by an issuer and an underwriter, not an IA. Effecting securities transactions for other people’s accounts would fall under the actions of a broker/dealer.
Exclusion from IAR
only perform clerical tasks
Only solicit sales of fixed annuities
Even if registration not required, subject to ant-fraud
Federal covered advisor
Register with SEC ONLY- must actually register
1940 act require
May require file a notice with states in which 6 or more clients do biz
Advisor to registered investment company or
Manages investment portfolio >$110M must register with SEC (90 days)
Old state number was $25M
Exclusion from Fed covered advisor
IA who give advise on US gov only
Banks and Bank holding companies
Publishers of general advice about secuirites
LATE professions
Issuer exclusion
Issuing certificates of interest in oil, gas, or mining titles or leases
Four basic elements of investment contracts (type of security)
Investment of money
Common enterprise
expectation of profit
Management by a third party (Howey)
Exclusion of security definition
- Fixed life insurance policies
- Endowment policies
- Fixed annuity contracts
4, Commodity future contracts - Collectibles (antiques)
- precious metals
- Real estate
Federal covered security: “Covered security” - Examples that must be registered with SEC
Must be registered with the SEC OR exempt from registration with the SEC
- Securities listed or authorized on national stock exchange (must be SEC)
- Investment company or pooled investment fund shares (mutual funds) (Must be SEC)
- Securities sold to qualified purchasers (wealthy) (Must be SEC)