sie chapter 5-8 Flashcards
study
What is the regulatory status of Municipal Securities with respect to Federal Regulation?
a. Fully regulated
b. Partially regulated
c. Exempt from Federal Regulation
d. Subject to periodic reviews
c. Exempt from Federal Regulation
Municipal Securities are exempt from Federal Regulation, providing issuers with certain exemptions and regulatory flexibility. This exemption allows municipalities to tailor their financial instruments to meet specific local needs without being subject to the same regulations as other securities.
Who regulates broker-dealers and advisors dealing in municipal securities?
a. SEC (Securities and Exchange Commission)
b. FINRA (Financial Industry Regulatory Authority)
c. MSRB (Municipal Securities Rulemaking Board)
d. CFTC (Commodity Futures Trading Commission
c. MSRB (Municipal Securities Rulemaking Board)
The Municipal Securities Rulemaking Board regulates broker-dealers and advisors dealing in municipal securities. It establishes rules to ensure fair practices and transparency in the municipal securities market, promoting investor protection and market integrity.
In the absence of a prospectus, where can disclosures for exempt securities be found?
a. Annual report
b. Legal opinion
c. Official statement
d. Bond council report
c. Official statement
While exempt securities don’t require a prospectus, information about them can be found in the official statement. This document contains essential disclosures and details about the municipal securities, ensuring transparency for investors.
What does a bond council examine for validity, legality, and tax-exempt status of municipal securities?
a. Feasibility study
b. Official statement
c. Legal opinion
d. Disclosure document
c. Legal opinion
A bond council is retained to examine the issue for its validity, legality, and tax-exempt status. The legal opinion is crucial for investors as it verifies the municipality’s authority to issue the bonds and provides assurance regarding their legal standing.
What type of opinion is required from a bond council for municipal securities?
a. Qualified opinion
b. Unqualified opinion
c. Conditional opinion
d. Limited opinion
b. Unqualified opinion
An unqualified opinion from a bond council means that everything is in order regarding the validity, legality, and tax-exempt status of the municipal securities. This assurance is necessary for investors, signaling that the bonds meet all necessary legal criteria.
Under what conditions are interest payments on Municipal Bonds typically exempt from federal taxes?
a. Exempt for all bondholders
b. Depends on bondholder’s state of residence
c. Exempt only for residents of the issuing state
d. Subject to federal taxes regardless of residence
b. Depends on bondholder’s state of residence
The tax status of interest payments on Municipal Bonds depends on the bondholder’s state of residence. While they are typically exempt from federal taxes, the exemption from state and local taxes may vary based on the investor’s residence.
What is the term used for bonds issued by U.S. territories with interest exempt from federal, state, and local taxes?
a. Double-barrel bonds
b. GO bonds
c. Revenue bonds
d. Triple tax-exempt bonds
d. Triple tax-exempt bonds
Bonds issued by U.S. territories, such as Puerto Rico, are known as “Triple tax-exempt” bonds. This means that interest on these bonds is exempt from federal, state, and local taxes, regardless of the bondholder’s residence.
What backs General Obligation (G.O.) bonds?
a. User fees
b. Full faith, credit, and taxing power of the municipality
c. Private corporations
d. Federal government guarantee
b. Full faith, credit, and taxing power of the municipality
General Obligation (G.O.) bonds are backed by the full faith, credit, and taxing power of the municipality. This means that the municipality is legally obligated to use its taxing power to repay the bonds, providing a strong level of security for investors.
How can municipalities exceed statutory debt limits for General Obligation (G.O.) bonds?
a. Approval from bondholders
b. Public referendum vote
c. Executive order
d. Judicial review
b. Public referendum vote
To exceed statutory debt limits for General Obligation (G.O.) bonds, a public referendum vote is required. This democratic process allows the local community to decide whether to approve additional debt issuance beyond the statutory limits.
What is the primary source of repayment for Revenue Bonds?
a. Income and sales taxes
b. User fees from an income-generating project
c. Ad valorem taxes
d. Federal grants
b. User fees from an income-generating project
Revenue Bonds are backed by the revenues generated from specific projects, such as toll roads or sewer systems. Unlike G.O. Bonds, they are supported by user fees, and the risk is tied to the success of the income-generating project.
What type of bonds are backed by taxes other than ad valorem taxes and are sometimes referred to as “Sin taxes”?
a. Special Assessment Bonds
b. Revenue Bonds
c. Moral Obligation Bonds
d. Special Tax Bonds
D. Special Tax Bonds
Special Tax Bonds are backed by taxes other than ad valorem taxes and are often associated with “Sin taxes” like those on alcohol or tobacco. These bonds provide a unique source of revenue for specific purposes.
What is the purpose of Capital Appreciation Bonds?
a. To pay debt on property taxes
b. To finance essential services
c. To provide immediate cash flow
d. To fund capital projects without interest payments
a. To pay debt on property taxes
Capital Appreciation Bonds do not pay interest but can be used to pay debt on property taxes. They are a form of municipal zero-coupon bonds that accumulate interest until maturity.
What is the characteristic of a Double-Barrel Bond?
a. Backed by both user fees and general taxes
b. Pays higher yields than G.O. Bonds
c. Exclusively funded by ad valorem taxes
d. Rated lower than Revenue Bonds
a. Backed by both user fees and general taxes
Double-Barrel Bonds are backed by both user fees and general taxes, making them similar to General Obligation (G.O.) Bonds. This dual backing enhances the security of these bonds.
What type of bonds allow municipalities to issue debt for facilities like a university dorm and lease those facilities?
a. Lease Rental Bonds
b. Industrial Development Bonds
c. Certificates of Participation (COP)
d. Special Tax Bonds
c. Certificates of Participation (COP)
Certificates of Participation (COP) allow municipalities to issue bonds for facilities like a university dorm and lease these facilities. The lease payments depend on an annual appropriation from tax collections, distinguishing them from G.O. Bonds.
What is the purpose of Tax Anticipation Notes (TANs)?
a. To finance essential services
b. To fund capital projects
c. To pull forward funds for upcoming tax collections
d. To generate cash flow for short-term needs
c. To pull forward funds for upcoming tax collections
Tax Anticipation Notes (TANs) are issued by municipalities to pull forward funds that will be collected as taxes in later months. They provide a short-term financing solution for municipalities facing cash flow challenges between tax collection periods.
What type of risk is associated with Variable Rate Demand Notes (VRDN)?
a. Liquidity risk
b. Default risk
c. Interest rate risk
d. Market risk
c. Interest rate risk
Variable Rate Demand Notes (VRDN) carry interest rate risk because the interest rate is reset periodically based on a market index. This exposes investors to fluctuations in interest rates, affecting the returns on the investment.
In which market are Munis primarily traded?
a. Over-the-counter (OTC)
b. Stock exchange floor
c. Options market
d. Commodity market
a. Over-the-counter (OTC)
Municipal Securities are primarily traded over-the-counter (OTC), not on a stock exchange floor. This “thin” trading market for munis can result in liquidity risk for investors.
What is the tax status of interest received on Municipal Securities?
a. Fully taxable
b. Exempt from federal tax
c. Exempt from state tax
d. Subject to local tax
b. Exempt from federal tax
The tax status of interest received on Municipal Securities is exempt from federal tax. While it may be subject to state tax, the federal exemption is a key attraction for investors seeking tax advantages.
Which document must be provided to customers by a broker-dealer when selling municipal bonds?
a. Prospectus
b. Official statement
c. Legal opinion
d. Feasibility study
b. Official statement
The official statement is the disclosure document for new municipal issues, providing information about the bonds and the financial condition of the issuer. It serves a similar purpose to a prospectus but is required for municipal securities exempt from the Securities Act of 1933.
What is the purpose of Build America Bonds, and what can the proceeds be used for?
a. To fund infrastructure projects; cannot pre-fund outstanding issues
b. To pre-fund outstanding issues; cannot fund infrastructure projects
c. To support essential services; can pre-fund outstanding issues
d. To pay off existing debt; cannot fund infrastructure projects
a. To fund infrastructure projects; cannot pre-fund outstanding issues
Build America Bonds are issued to fund infrastructure projects and can’t be used to pre-fund outstanding issues. They provide municipalities with a financing tool to support essential public projects.
What does an investment company do to raise capital?
a. Actively manages portfolios
b. Issues securities
c. Trades on stock exchanges
d. Purchases shares of other companies
B. Issues securities
Investment companies raise capital by issuing securities, which can include stocks, bonds, or other financial instruments.
What is the primary regulation governing open-end management companies (mutual funds)?
a. Securities Act of 1933
b. Investment Company Act of 1940
c. Securities Exchange Act of 1934
d. Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act
b. Investment Company Act of 1940
The primary regulation governing open-end management companies (mutual funds) is the Investment Company Act of 1940, which sets forth the regulatory framework for these investment vehicles.
How are closed-end funds different from open-end funds?
a. Closed-end funds continuously issue new shares
b. Open-end funds have a fixed number of shares
c. Closed-end funds can be redeemed at NAV
d. Open-end funds typically trade at a discount to NAV
a. Closed-end funds continuously issue new shares
Closed-end funds differ from open-end funds as they continuously issue a fixed number of shares through initial public offerings (IPOs) rather than through continuous offerings.
Which type of investment company issues stocks or bonds in an initial public offering (IPO)?
b. Open-End Management Company
c. Closed-End Management Company
d. Face Amount Certificates
c. Closed-End Management Company
Closed-End Management Companies issue stocks or bonds in an initial public offering (IPO) and have a fixed number of shares that trade on stock exchanges.