Unit 3 Flashcards
Who is a Broker-Dealer?
Any person engaged in the business of effecting transactions in securities for the accounts of others or for its own account.
One of the roles of a BD is underwriting (distributing) shares of new securities for issuers.
Persons not included in the definition of BDs are:
- Agents
- Issuers
- Banks, savings institutions, and trust companies
- BDs with no place of business in the state
Are BDs allowed to do business with existing customers who are temporarily in a state?
Yes - to avoid unnecessary multiple registrations
When official residency is changed…
the 30-day rule applies
Is there a de minimis exception for broker-dealers?
NO.
Even if the BD does not maintain a pace of business in the state and has a single retail client → registration is required!
Federal Exemptions from Registration as a BD:
Conduct all of their business in one state - you do NOT have to register with the SEC
Without SEC registration, a BD cannot…
participate in any transaction executed on a national securities exchange
State Exemptions from Registration as a BD:
USA exempts a BD without a place a business in a state if the only transactions effected in the state are with the issuer of the securities involved in the transaction
Under the USA, you are a BD if:
- you have a place of business in the state regardless of the nature of your clients
OR
- you have even one retail client in the state
Under the USA, you are NOT a BD if:
- you have no place of business in the state
AND
- your only clients are other BDS, institutions, and issuers of the security involved in the transaction
OR
- you are registered in a state where you do maintain a place of business and only do business in a state with existing clients who are snowbirds
Agent
any individual (other than a BD) who represents a BD or issuers in transactions of securities
(only a natural person can be an agent)
Associated person
any person directly/indirectly controlling/controlled by the BD, any person who contributes capital, and any employees of the BD
(NOT including any clerical or ministerial employees)
Cold callers working for a BD would be defined as an agent if:
they did any more than ask if clients wanted to receive information.
In addition, anyones who receives compensation for solicited clients, they would be considered agents and would have to register.
Exclusions from the definition of agent for personnel representing issuers:
- When effecting transactions in exempt securities
- When effecting transactions exempt from registration
- When effecting transactions with existing employees, partners, or directors if no sales-related commission is paid for soliciting any person in this state
List the exempt securities
- U.S. government securities
- Foreign securities
- Securities issued by or guaranteed by a bank
- Commercial paper $50k or more with 9 months or less
- Investment contracts issued in connection with employee’s stock purchase, savings, pensions, profit-sharing plans
List the exempt transactions
- Unsolicited brokerage transactions
- Transactions between the issuer and underwriters
- Transactions with financial institutions
- Private placements