IA's and IAR's and B/D's Flashcards
State Registration of an Investment Advisor becomes effective when
at noon the 30th day after the application was filed
Federal Registration of an Investment Advisor becomes effective when
within 45 days after the application is filed.
An administrator can cancel the registration if the investment advisor is
1.) no longer in business
2.) no longer existence
3.) court finds the IA mentally incompetent; or
4.) investment advisor cannot be located after reasonable search
Registration as an IA and IAR expires
on DECEMBER 31st of every year.
Must Pay a fee to renew
IA’s filing to withdraw state registration will become effective
30 days after filing withdrawal with the state administrator, unless disciplinary actions are pending
Cannot withdraw to avoid disciplinary actions
State administrators have jurisdiction to initiate disciplinary proceedings for how long after an IA withdraws its registration
1 year after withdrawal
What form do B/D’s file with the SEC to become registered?
FORM BD
What form do IA’s file to become registered?
Form ADV
Form ADV-W to withdraw
Investment Advisor Definition
Advice as a regular Business for Compensation
“ABC Rule”
Exclusions from registering as an IA
- IAR’s
- LATE Professionals (incidental to their work)
- BD’s and Agents (no advisory fees/wrap fees, commission only)
- Media programs if general advice
- Fed Covered Advisors - Excluded from state registration
- Banks and savings institutions
Exemptions from State Registration IA’s
- Vacation rule - no registration if engagign current clients visiting a state + no office in state
- Institution rule- no registration if only engaging institutions + no office in state
- De minimums rule - no registration if 5 or fewer retail clients in a state + no office in state
- Private Fund Advisors
IAR registration form and withdrawal form
U4 - registration
U5 - Withdrawal
Who files the U4 and U5 if the IAR is representing a federal covered IA?
- If representing Fed Covered IA = filed by IAR
Who files the U4 and U5 if the IAR is representing a state IA?
- If representing state IA = filed by IA
Exemptions from state registration B/Ds
- Agents, issuers, and banks
- Vacation rule
- Institution rule
- Canadian (limited registration)
IA’s MUST register as a Federal Covered Advisor (with SEC) when:
AUM exceeds $110M
Where does a BD need to register?
In a state where they have an office OR a state where they have more than 1 retail client. Note, BD registration has nothing to do with dealing with institutional clients.
Why is a bank, savings institutions, or trust company not considered a BD?
Because they are subject to their own laws.
How do you register as a BD?
Submit Form BD
Consent to Service of Process
Pay Fees
Publish an annoucement of registration
Meet minimum financial, bonding, and recordkeeping requirements
What is consent to service of process?
Allows the Administrator to receive and process non-criminal securities related complaints against the applicant
When does BD registration become effective? When must it be renewed?
Noon, 30 days after filing. Dec 31
If a BD has all of its offices / retail clients in State A, but broadcasts radio and TV ads that reach residents of State A, B, and C, where must BD register?
Only state A
If a BD does business with a client that resides in State A but lives in State B for 3 months, where must the BD register?
State A
Where do (BD) agents need to register?
In any state where the agent originates an offer or directs an offer.
If you work for an issuer of exempt securities or exempt transactions do you need to register as Agent? For example, if you work the Gov’t and sell US Treasuries to retail clients
No
How to register as an Agent?
Submit U4
Consent to Service of Process
Pay filing fees
Bonding may be required but no financial or net worth requirements
When is an Agent’s registration effective? When must it renew?
Noon, 30 days after filing. Dec 31
If an agent wants to terminate their registration in a state, who notify the admin?
All parties must notify – Agent, old firm, new firm (if applicable)
Consent to Service of Process is for what kind of lawsuits? Meaning, a lawsuit against an agent can proceed with notice to admin instead of to the agent?
Securities related civil actions – Ex. Civil Action for a USA violation
What is an Investment Advisor (IA)?
Any person (typically a firm) who provides securities related advice. In the ordinary course of business and for COMPENSATION
When does a natural person register as a IA?
If the IA is a sole proprietorship (would register as both IA and IAR)
If a BD offers a wrap or managed account that sells brokerage services and advice for a single what must they register as?
Both BD and IA
Who is excluded as a IA under USA?
Banks, agents, LATE professionals
Where do IAs register?
They register at the state level if they have an office or more than 5 retail clients in that state.
They register at the Federal Level if they have ~100m in AUM or are registered in more 15 or more states.