Industry Rules Flashcards
Within a member firm, who must be a RR?
All persons engaged in the investment banking or securities business must be registered except those whose work is solely clerical or ministerial
What are forms U4 and U5?
U4 is for a new registration (amended on disciplinary sanction)
U5 is for a resignation or termination
A firm employing someone previously registered with FINRA must request their U5
How long after resignation of an RR does FINRA’s jurisdiction last?
Two years
What crimes lead to statutory disqualification?
Any felony in last 10 years, or misdemeanour involving false reports, bribery, perjury or crimes related to funds or securities
What must a BD do in regards to FINRA’s Investor Education and Protection Rule?
In writing, provide details of BrokerCheck hotline, FINRA website and availability of a brochure describing BrokerCheck
What’s the Regulatory Element of Continuing Education?
Regulator administered program where RR’s must participate in training on second anniversary of qualification and every three years thereafter
What’s the firm element of Continuing Education?
Annual analysis, prioritisation of training needs and provision of training.
What’s a WSP?
Written Supervisory Procedures manual where a firm documents its policies and procedures
What defines an OSJ?
One or more of
- market making/ execution
- structuring of public offerings or private placements
- maintaining custody of funds/securities
- final acceptance of new accounts
- final approval retail Comms
- review and endorsement of orders
A branch office is where one or more firm personnel…
Regularly conduct business of inducing purchase or sale of any security
Locations not considered a branch office include:
- Non-sales office
- location primarily used for non-securities business where fewer than 25 securities transactions handled annually
- RR’s primary residence not used as an office for public
When can a client be considered long in regards to a sale of securities?
If they’re at the BD or RR believes client will bring them in by settlement date, or in a binding contract to buy
What’s the difference in charging mechanism between broker and dealer activity?
Broker acts as agent and charges commission (which it must disclose)
Dealer acts as principal and adds markup, which generally doesn’t have to be disclosed
What does the 5% markup policy cover?
- Transactions as agent or principal
- Guide not mandatory
- Based on current market price not dealer’s inventory cost
- The relation to actual cost (so inactively traded stocks or small transactions justify higher commissions)
What’s not covered by 5% markup policy?
- Transactions requiring a prospectus (new issues, registered secondaries and mutual funds)
- municipal and US government securities
Markups and markdowns on debt securities must be based on prevailing market price. If the dealer’s contemporaneous cost is obsolete (eg through news about issuer) how determined?
- Contemporaneous inter dealer transactions in same security, then transactions with institutions, then quotes.
- Contemporaneous price of similar securities
- Pricing models
Four different capacities in which BDs may operate when executing customer traded… And how compensated for each
- Agent - commission
- Principal - markup
- Riskless principal (buy into inventory to fill pre-existing orders)
- markup on BD’s price paid - Net basis (as 3 but sold at different price to price paid)
What are disclosure and consent requirements on riskless principal and net basis transactions?
Riskless principal - must be disclosed to customer, with markup disclosed on customer confirmation.
Net basis - for retail customers, written consent on order by order basis; institutional, written or oral consent, or blanket consent
What’s front running?
Executing an option order for an account in which BD has an interest or over which it has discretion, when they have nonpublic knowledge about an imminent block transaction (10,000 shares it more). Doesn’t apply to market makers accepting automatic executions)
What is Trading Ahead?
Establishing, increasing, decreasing or liquidating an equity position (or derivative thereof) based on nonpublic advanced knowledge of timing/content of a research report
How must firms ensure they are providing best execution?
Requirement is to use reasonable diligence to obtain best price. Firms must conduct a rigorous review at least quarterly.
For stocks with limited quotes or pricing information, use three quote rule
How is correspondence defined by FINRA?
Written or electronic messages sent to 25 or fewer retail investors within any 30day calendar period
How is retail communication defined by FINRA?
Written or electronic communication to more than 25 retail investors
What’s the key feature defining a public appearance?
It’s unscripted. Otherwise it would be a retail communication.