Session 3 Flashcards
Two primary purposes of the Investment Adviser Act of 1940 are:
1- the regulation of persons, natural/legal, in the business of giving investment advice
2- the establishment of standards of ethical business conduct for the industry
Investment Adviser Act of 1940
is a federal legislation that defines the term investment adviser and requires persons that fall within the definition to register with the SEC OR with the states does business with
Broker
is any person engaged in the business of effecting transactions in securities for accounts of others
Dealer
is any person regularly engaged in the business of buying and selling securities as principal for his own acct (NOT INCLUDING BANK< INVESTMENT COMPANY OR INSURANCE COMPANY)
What three organizations aren’t included in the definition of dealer?
1- bank
2- investment company
3- insurance company
Fiduciary
is a person legally appointed and authorized to hold assets in trust for another person…fiduciary manages the assets for the benefit of the other person rather than for his or her own profits.
Person Associated with an Investment Adviser
any partner. officer or director of the investment adviser or an person directly or indirectly controlling or controlled by the investment adviser
Supervised Person
any person associated with an investment adviser plus the cleric clerical functions and aren’t require to become registered
Investment Adviser
is any person who, for compensation, engages in the business of advising other as to the value of securities or the advisability of investing in securities or issues analyses or reports concerning securities
Release IA-1092 IDs an investment adviser as the following (3)
1-provide investment advice, reports or analyses with respect to securities
2-is in the business of providing advice or analyses
3-received compensation, directly or indirectly, for these service
Financial Planners
make recommendations regarding a person’s financial resources or perform analyses that concern securities are investment adviser if the services are performed for business or compensation
Pension Consultants
who advise employee benefit plans on the selection, performance and retention of investment a mangers to be investment advisers
Sports and Entertainment Representatives
perform advice related to investments, tax planning, budgeting and money management to celebrities and athletes
In the business of Providing Advice if you meet these two points:
1-gives advice on a regular basis such a that it constitutes a business activity conducted with some regularity (frequency of the activity isn’t the only factor)
2- advertises investment advisory service and presents himself to the public as an investment adviser
6 Exclusions from Investment Advisers under Federal Law (6)
1- any holding bank
2- lawyer, accountant, teacher or engineer whose advice incidental to the practice of the profession
3- any BD whose performance of such service is solely incidental to the conduct of his business as a broker or dealer who receives no special compensation
4- publisher of any bona fide newspaper, new magazine, or business/publication of general and regular circulation
5- Any person whose advice, analyses or reports are related only to securities that are direct/guaranteed obligations of US or US Gov’t sponsored corps
6- Any nationally recognized statistical rating organization (as long as they don’t recommend an action)
Special Compensation
is compensation to the BD or salesperson in excess of that which he or she would be paid for providing a brokerage or dealer service alone
8 Exclusions from Investment Advisers under State Law
1- Banks, Saving Institutions and trust companies
2- lawyer, accountant, teacher or engineer whose advice incidental to the practice of the profession
3-any BD whose performance of such service is solely incidental to the conduct of his business as a broker or dealer who receives no special compensation (wrap fee)
4-publisher of any bona fide newspaper, new magazine, or business/publication of general and regular circulation
5-Investment adviser rep
6- any person who is federal covered adviser
7-any person excused by Investment Adviser Act of 1940
8-any other person that Administrator specifies
Under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, can a unregistered investment adviser to use the mail for his business?
NO
Who are exemption from the registration requirements under Federal Law?
1- Intrastate Advisers
2- Advisers to Insurance Companies
3- Private Fund Advisers
Intrastate Advisers
advisers whose clients, not including investment advisers to private funds, are residents of the state in which the adviser has its principle office and place of business and who don’t give advice dealing with securities on national exchange
Advisers to Insurance Companies
advisers whose only clients are insurance companies are exempt
Private Fund Advisers
1- an exemption for advisers solely to private funds with less than 150 million in assets under management in the US
2- an exemption for certain non US advisers with no place of business in the US and minimal assets under management (less than $25 Million) attributable to US clients and investors
3- An exemption for advisers solely to venture capital funds
Dodd- Frank Act define private fund as
an issuer that would be an investment company, as defined in section 3 of the investment company act of 1940, but for section 3(c)(1) or 3(c)(7)
Section 3(c)(1)
issuer is one whose outstanding securities are beneficially owned by not more than 100 persons and which is not making and doesn’t presently propose to make an IPO of its securities
Section 3(c)(7)
is one whose outstanding securities are owned by persons who, at the time of acquisition of such securities, are qualified purchasers (at least $5 mill for individuals and 25 mill investments for business) and doesn’t propose to go public
Foreign Private Advisers is defined in the Dodd Frank Act as any investment adviser than (4)
1- has no place of business in the US
2- has fewer than 15 clients and investors in the US in private funds advised by the adviser
3- has aggregate assets under management attributable to clients/investors in the US in the US in private funds advised by the adviser of less than 25 mill
4-doesn’t hold itself out to the public in the US as an investment adviser or act as an investment adviser to an investment company
The rules define a venture capital fund as a private fund that:
1- has limited leverage
2- doesn’t, except in certain limited circumstances, offer its investors redemption rights or other similar liquidity rights
3- represents itself as a venture capital to investors
4- is not registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940
Exempt Reporting Advisers (ERAs)
are exempt from registration…they are required to complete and electronically file reports using the IARD system on certain amended items set forth in Form ADV
Federal Covered Investment Advisers?
1- those required to be registered or registered as an investment adviser with the SEC bc they meet the minimum threshold of assets under management (110Mil)
2-those under contract to manage Investment Company who fall in line with the act regardless of AUM
3- those not registered with the SEC bc they are excluded from the definition of an investment adviser by the Investment Adviser Act of 1940
Large Investment Advisers
those advisers with at lest 100 million or more in assets under management are eligible for SEC registration; once the AUM hit 110mill must register
Small Investment Advisers
advisers that manage assets of less than 25 million must be registered with the state
Exemptions to Small Investment Advisers to registering with the state?
1- the investment adviser is an adviser to an investment company registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940
2- Seeking registration in more than 15 states
How many states would the investment adviser need to be actively registered in before they must register with the SEC?
15
Mid-size Advisers
are those whose AUM is between 25 and 100 million must register with the State
Mid -size Advisers will register with the SEC when:
1- if the adviser is not required to be registered as an investment adviser with the securities administrator of the state where principal office is located
2- if registered, the adviser wouldn’t be subject to examination as an investment adviser by that securities Administrator
3- if the adviser is required to register in 15 or more states
4- the adviser elect to take advantage of the buffer
Exceptions Under Dodd-Frank from the prohibition on registration: (6)
1- pension consultant with 200 in AUM
2- Mid size advisers with at least 100 million in AUM, but less than 110 who elect to register with the SEC
3-Investment advisers affiliated with an adviser already registered with the SEC
4-Investment advisers expecting to be eligible for SEC registration with 120 days of filing form adv
5- multistate investment adviser
6- internet adviser
20 Million Buffer
since funds constantly move in and out from investment advisers there is a buffer just in case so you don’t have to spend registering fees and paperwork once you achieve a certain status
Time Measurement for AUM
are based on annual updating amendment
How many days does the Investment Adviser have to withdraw from the SEC and register with appropriate state?
180 days
How many days does the Investment Adviser have to register with SEC?
90 days
Advisers exempt from registration with the state Administrator are those who have no place of business in the state, but are registered in another state provided their only clients in the state are:
1- BD registered under the act
2-other investment advisers
3-Instituional investors
4- existing clients who aren’t residents
5- limited to five or fewer clients of resident of the state
6-any others the administrator exempts by rule or order
De minimis exemption
limited to five or fewer clients of resident of the state
Investment Advisers use Forms ADV to:
1- Register with the SEC
2- Register with one or more state securities authorities
3- amend those registration
Investment Adviser Registration Depository (IARD)
is an electronic filing system that facilitates investment adviser registration, regulatory review and the public disclosure info of investment adviser firms
Form ADV Part 1A:
ask number of questions about the investment adviser, it business practices, the persons who own and control the firm and the persons who provide investment advice on behalf of the firm
Form ADV Part 1B:
asks additional questions required by state securities authorities. Investment advisers who are registered with the SEC don’t have to complete
Form ADV Part 2A:
requires advisers to create brochures containing info about the advisory firm..applies to every investment adviser that register with SEC and most states
Form ADV Part 2B:
requires advisers to create brochures supplements containing info about certain supervised persons…applies to every investment adviser that register with SEC and most states
A controlled person is defined as owning what percentage under the Investment Company Act and Adviser Act?
ICA= More than 25% AA= 25% or more
Form ADV Part 1 Contains info about the IA including (9):
1-location of principal office
2-Location of books and records
3-form of business org
4-method of business
5-other business activities
6- maintaining custody of customer assets or exercising discretions
7-details relating to all control persons
8- disciplinary history
9-for state registered IAs, states in which the IA intends to or is already registered
Form ADV Part 2A contains:
1- compensation arrangements
2-types of clients
3- types of investments
4- types of strategies employed (buy and hold, growth value)
5-Mehtods of analysis used (tech or fundamental)
6-Educatinal and business background of those whose render advice
7-an audited BS
Form ADV must be update?
Annually within 90 days
Amendment for Material Changes for form ADV that must be changed promptly: (8)
1- Change of the registrant’s name
2- Change in the principal business location
3- Change in the location of books and records
4- Change to the contact person preparing the form
5- Change in organizational structure
6- Information provided in the brochure becomes materially inaccurate
7- Change to any of the questions regarding disciplinary actions
8- Change in policy regarding custody of the customer funds and/or securities
Fees for Form ADV:
there is an annual renewal and initial fee
What is the effective date of registration with the SEC Investment Adviser and State registered investment advisers?
SEC- 45th day after filing of a complete application
State- at noon of the 30th day
Form ADV-W
is filled out when an adviser no longer desires to engage in business.
How many days until the Effective date of Form ADV-W with the SEC and State Registered?
SEC- 60 days after filing
State- 30 days