Legal Persons Flashcards
Agent
An agent is an individual who is not a broker-dealer, but who acts as a representative of a broker-dealer to handle security purchases and/or security sales. An agent can also be a representative for an issuer of a security who handles the purchase or sale of that issuer’s securities.
Agents are sometimes referred to as Sales Representatives, or Registered Representatives.
Broker Dealer
A broker-dealer is an individual or a company (firm) that charges other individuals or entities for handling securities transactions on their behalf.
Broker-dealers may receive compensation through fees or commissions.
The term broker-dealer does not include agents (representatives of broker-dealers or the issuer of a security); issuers (an entity that makes its own securities available for purchase); international banking institutions; or any other person or entity specifically excluded by the Uniform Security Act.
Investment Advisor
An investment adviser is an individual or a company that receives compensation to provide advice to others concerning the investment, purchase, or sale of securities. The advice may be provided directly or indirectly.
Investment Advisor Representative
An investment adviser representative is an individual who is not an investment adviser, but who acts as a representative of an investment adviser. Investment adviser representatives include individuals who provide advice regarding securities, handle client accounts and/or portfolios, and/or receive compensation for seeking or obtaining clients for an investment adviser. Investment advisers also include individuals who supervise employees that perform the activities discussed above.
Clerical personnel in an investment adviser firm are not considered investment adviser representatives. Agents are sometimes called registered representatives or sales representatives.
Direct Advice
In person, or on the phone, email
Indirect Advice
Advice contained in monthly reports that analyzed securities for a subscription fee.
Investment Advisor Characteristics
- Offer advice to others concerning securities. Recommendation, or evaluation of the securities.
- The offering of said advice must be part of the person’s continuing line of business.
- Person must receive compensation for the advice.
Federal Covered Investment Adviser
Federal covered advisors are investment advisors who are registered with the SEC. An investment advisor is any person or firm that, in exchange for compensation, is engaged in the business of providing advice to others about securities. Regulation of investment advisors generally falls to the state in which the advisor has its principal office and place of business. However, the advisor may register with the SEC, or may be required to register with the SEC, if certain asset thresholds are met.
Not required to register with the state Administrator, but needs to provide notice of it’s status and pay filing fees.
Exempt from Investment Adviser Registration
- Teacher
- Attorney
- Engineer
- Accountant
Incidental advise must be an incidental component of the services provided.
National Securities Markets Improvements Act - 1996
Exempts persons that must register as Investment Advisers with the SEC from the requirement of the requirement to register as Investment Advisers with any state Administrators
Notice Filing
Payment by a Federal Covered Investment Adviser to the state for it’s status.
Investment Adviser Representatives for Federally Covered Investment Advisers still have to file with state Administrator
Conducting Business in a State Without Being Registered
If the investment adviser’s only clients within the state are all registered broker-dealers, investment advisers, institutional investors, and/or persons whose primary residence is an another state where the investment adviser is registered, the investment adviser is not required to register in that state.
if the investment adviser has no more than five clients within the state beyond the type of clients described above, and if the investment adviser is registered in another state, the investment adviser is not obligated to register in the state to conduct business.
Bond Requirements for Investment Advisers
Limited to the maximum amount permitted by Federal regulation
Discretionary Accounts - $10,000
Custody of Client’s Accounts - $35,000
Fiduciaries
Persons that provide investment advice.
Client’s interest ahead of their own
Must disclose any conflicts of interest that may arise from the advice.
Advertising Limitations
Message about the investment adviser.
May not include testimonials of any kind.
If historical performance is referenced, the advertisement must accurately reflect recommendations resulting in losses as well as those resulting in gains.
Applies equally to physical correspondence, email, social media, etc.
Not Considered an Investment Adviser Representative
- Performs only clerical, or ministerial work
- Incidental advice and does not receive compensation for advice
- Is employed by, or associated with a Federally Covered Investment Adviser unless the person has a place of business in the state.
- Is excluded by the order adopted.
Investment Advisers Registration
Do not have to register with state Administrator if they manage over $100M, but register with the SEC.
If managing < $100M they must register with the state Administrator.
Must notify Administrator of each Representative employed.
MAY not be required to register in a state if they are registered in another state.
Broker-Dealer: U.S.A
Person engaged in the business of effecting securities transactions for the account of others, or their own account
NOT a Broker-Dealer
Agent
Issuer
Bank, or Savings Institution
International Banking Institution
Broker actions
Performing security trading activities for a client
Dealer actions
Performs trading activities for itself. Including selling securities from it’s own account.
Registration for an Agent
Tied to a specific Broker-Dealer, or an Issuer
Broker-Dealer and Agent must notify Administrator of any changes.
Consent to Service of Process
Consenting to service of the process means that you agree to have the papers served on you in another way. This could be in the form of an alternative service, which we will discuss below. By consenting to the service of the process, you agree to receive notice of the lawsuit in a way that is less intrusive and more convenient for you.
Additional Application Requirements
the consent to service of process allows the litigating party to serve papers for the applicant by simply serving them on the Administrator.
It may also be necessary to meet financial qualifications.
Broker-dealers and investment advisers may be required to meet minimum requirements for net capital.
In addition, the Administrator may require broker-dealers, investment advisers, agents, and investment adviser representatives to obtain and maintain surety bonds up to $10,000. If required, the deposit for the surety bonds may be made by cash or securities.
If securities are used to secure the surety bond, the Administrator may specify the type of security that may be used.
Retain Licensing After Registration
All of the information contained in documents filed with the Administrator must not only be accurate and complete at the time of filing, the documents must also remain accurate and complete after filing.
If changes occur after the information has been filed with the Administrator, and any of information contained in a field document is no longer accurate or complete, the filing party must correct the document by filing an amendment.
Licenses are valid for no longer than a year. The renewal process requires that the registrant pay a fee. If the registrant does not renew prior to the license’s expiration, the license will expire at the end of the year (on December 31).
Dual Registration
Broker-Dealers may also register as Investment Advisers. They need to meet both requirements, and file applications and fees for both.
If Administrator does not approve the Investment Advisor registration they can issue the Broker-Dealer portion and the applicant would have to refrain from operating as an Investment Adviser.
Registration for Successors
Registration for Broker-Dealers and Investment Advisers may be transferred to a successor.
Allowed to operate under the previous registration for one year. Do not have to pay additional fees.
Automatic Registration
The registration of a broker-dealer or an investment adviser may cause the automatic registration of individuals associated with the broker-dealer or investment adviser. When a broker-dealer is registered, all of the directors, partners and/or officers for the broker-dealer, as well as any individual acting in a similar capacity, that are active participants in the broker-dealer’s registered activities will automatically be registered as agents.
Same applies to Investment Advisers.
Administrator may require exams from others.
RIA
Registered Investment Advisers
IAR
Investment Adviser Representative
Registered Agent represent multiple DB
- If the separate DB are affiliated with each other.
- If they receive approval from Administrator.
Terminating Registration
In the event that registered individuals decide of their own volition to terminate their registration, their employing agency must notify the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) in writing at least 30 days prior to that individual’s termination.
Margin Agreement
Must be obtained by Broker-Dealer with the client. Can make initial trade without the agreement, but needs one asap.
Securities Available To Be Sold
- A Federally covered security
- Registered with the state Administrator
- Exempt from both Federal and State registration
Investment Contract
- Considered Securities
One form is a financial investment in a common enterprise. Hoping to earn profits if enterprise realizes profits. Can incur losses as well.
Investment providing interest in a Limited Partnership
- Other Investors
- Issuer
- Third Party
Registration by Coordination
Each of the state registrations becomes effective on or after the SEC registration.
This is done to avoid duplication and time. Registered with SEC when designated for interstate trade.
Documentation - Registration by Coordination
Copies of: the most recent form of the prospectus filed with the SEC under the provisions of the Securities Act of 1933;
The articles of incorporation and current bylaws (or equivalent); any agreement that exists between or with the underwriters; and any indenture or instrument that governs the issuance of the security.
The issuer must also provide a copy, sample, or description of the security.
The issuer must also update the filing by forwarding any amendments, other than amendments that postpone the effective date of the federal registration, to the federal prospectus in a timely manner.
Notification - Registration by Coordination
Must provide timely notice to state Administrator when it will be effective with SEC
Prompt notification of any changes
Administrator could issue Stop Order without notice or hearing if not abided by
Effective Date for Registration
Tied to the effective date of federal registration.
and if the registration statement has been on file with the state Administrator for twenty days (or a shorter period designated by the Administrator).
Example: if registration has been on file with state 10 days prior to federal approval, it will be registered in state 10 days after federal approval.
Registration by Qualification
Process to be followed if not qualified for Coordination or Notification.
Requires additional information to be provided. Includes Consent to Service.
Only becomes effective when deemed so by state Administrator.
Information - Registration by Qualification
- Must provide copies of any promotional materials used with the security.
- Signed copy of intent from attorney
Additional Information - RbQ
Includes specific information about directors and officers.
Volume of issuers securities possessed by officers/directors 30 days prior to the issue.
Compensation from last year of Directors/Officers and anticipation for next year.
Information - RbQ
- Type of security
- Anticipated offer price
- Projected volume
- Estimated compensation to Underwriters
- Any anticipated finders fees
Discussion of the competition in which they operate.
Information - RbQ (Large Investors)
Anyone who owns 10% or more
Issuer must specify the volume the large investor owns on a date that is no later then 30 days prior to issue.
Regarding the Planned Issuance
- must disclose any options granted, or will be granted.
Volumes possessed by officers/directors and anyone with 10% or more.
Estimate of revenue to be generated by the issuance as well as the planned use of the revenue.