Series 63 - Based on Class Book Flashcards
What is the USA (Uniform Securities Act)?
- model act which represents best practices
- each state has to put up its own version
- STATE LEVEL ACT
What do you think of when you see NASAA?
-think STATE LEVEL ACT (state regulation)
What is the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 and what do you think of when you hear it?
- deals with registration and regulation of investment advisors
- “federal covered” meaning subject to federal regulation
- FEDERAL LAW
What do you think of when you hear NSMIA (National Securities Market Improvements Act)?
- divides role of state vs. federal regulation
- tries to make the regulation more efficient
Who is considered a person?
- broadly defined: individuals (natural person/human), corporations, trusts, governments, government agencies, municipalities
- entity!
Who is NOT considered a person?
(1) minors [custodians who act on their behalf can be registered/regulated]
(2) deceased [executors who have control of the will can be registered/regulated]
(3) mentally incompetent [guardians can be registered/regulated]
What is a broker-dealer? Who does it register with?
- any person effecting securities transactions for (1) its own account OR (2) the accounts of others
- must be registered with BOTH the SEC AND the state (subject to federal and state regulation)
What is an agent? Who does he/she register with?
- individual (natural person) who represents broker-dealers
- must be registered at the STATE level; NOT registered at the federal level
What is an investment adviser? Who do they register with?
- sells investment-related advice (state registered or federal covered); provides advice for a fee
- registered at the state level OR the federal level but NOT BOTH
What is an investment adviser representative? Who do they register with?
- individual (natural person) who represents IA firms
- registered at state level NOT federal level
Where/when do broker-dealers need to register?
-needs to register if they (1) have an office in the state OR (2) have at least one resident retail client in the state (NOT institutional client, ONLY retail client)
Who is NOT considered a broker-dealer?
- agents (employees of broker-dealers)
- issuers (customers of broker-dealers)
- individuals trading their personal brokerage accounts
- out-of-state broker-dealers - no retail AND no office in the state
- banks, savings institutions, or trust companies
How does one register as a BD?
- submit application (consent to service of process)
- pay filing fees
- publish an announcement of the registration
- meet minimum financial (net worth/net capital), bonding, and recordkeeping requirements
- each state can have its own requirement for BDs, but NO requirements can be higher than SEC
What is the effectiveness period for a BD?
- by noon, 30 days after filing
- technically it is determined by administrator but no later than this unless they’re in the process of denying it
What is the renewal process for BD?
-by December 31 (then have to pay more fees)
When registering a BD, what do the bonding requirements refer to?
-insurance that protects a firm from theft or loss - bond will cover loss
What is the two-pronged test with regard to broker dealer registration?
(1) office test
(2) retail client
* *doesn’t matter where you have communications**
When/where do AGENTS need to register?
- in any state where they do business, which means:
(1) originating an offer in the state
(2) directing an offer in the state - *registration does not matter if the client is retail or institutional
Remember: AGENT registration is based on _____, not _______vs_______.
based on offers; not retail vs. institutional
Who is EXEMPT for registration as an agent?
- administrative and clerical staff (they do not effect securities transactions) = MINISTERIAL
- Employees representing ISSUERS in connection with:
(1) exempt securities
(2) exempt transactions [private placement]
(3) sales to existing employees without earning commissions
How do AGENTS register?
-submit a FORM U-4 application
-consent to service of process
-pay filing fees
-bonding may be required (but no financial or net worth requirements)
ONLY REGISTER AT STATE LEVEL
What is the effectiveness period for AGENTS?
-by noon, 30 days after filing
What is the renewal period for AGENTS?
-required by December 31
What does an agent do if he wants to terminate?
-ALL parties must notify state administrator (Agent, Old Firm, New Firm)
A consent to service of process is used for/covers:
-securities related CIVIL actions (not criminal)
When would a natural person register as an IA?
-sole proprietor would register as an IA
What are examples of investment advisers?
-financial planners, pension or retirement consultants, and sports and entertainment representatives
Who is EXCLUDED from the definition of an IA under the USA?
- banks, savings institutions, and trusts
- agents
- broker-dealers
- bona fide financial publications
- investment adviser reps (IARs)
- LATE professionals (lawyer, accountant, teacher, engineer) - KEY WORD: incidental
- *these don’t need to register as IAs**
When would a BD dual register as an IA?
-if in a WRAP ACCOUNT, a BD is paid for doing the transaction AND giving advice on investments
Are wrap accounts suitable for buy and hold investors?
-NO
With whom do IAs register?
- either on the federal OR the state level
- State Level: any office in that state or has more than five retail clients
- Federal Level: more than $100M AUM, present in 15 states OR advises only investment companies