Unit 7 (14) Flashcards
When is the use of a hedge clause by an IA acceptable?
When the clause is used to limit liability due to losses from events beyond its control like war, strikes, natural disasters, new gov. restrictions, market fluctuations, communications disruptions, etc. The “market fluctuations” part refers to the overall market, you can’t do anything about the market in general going down
What is the max prison sentence for insider trading?
20 years
Fiduciaries should act how
With skill and caution in an effort to meet their clients objectives. They should attempt to maximize returns while minimizing risks.
How often must the Chief Compliance Officer review the policies and procedures designed to prevent violation of securities laws?
Annually
Under rule 206(4)-7 of the IA act of 1940, each IA reg. with the SEC is required to adopt and implement policies and procedures to prevent violating securities law. Who’s responsibility is that at the firm?
The chief compliance officer
How long do you have to file form 13f
Within 45 days of the end of the quarter
Who is permitted to maintain custody of client assets, IAR or IA?
IAs can have custody if not prohibited by the administrator
What is the wealth requirement for someone to have performance based compensation for an individual
1 mil under mgmt of the advisor or 2.1 mil net worth
The securities exchange act of 1934 requires written authority for a discretionary account, unless the securities professional’s discretionary authority is limited to determining
- The price of the stock
- The amount of the stock
- The time of the order
1 and 3. The ability to determine the time or price at which a specific customer order will be executed does not constitute discretionary power and therefore does not require written authorization
What is the difference under state law about performance based fees?
The agent must make additional disclosures including the one about incentive to take more risks
What is the purpose of form 13f
It allows the public to look at the strategies/holdings of the top money managers.
Can an agent share in the profits and losses in a clients account?
Yes, as long as there is written consent from the client and the agent’s BD. IAs and IARs cannot share in profits/losses
Who is responsible for administering the Bank Secrecy Act?
The Financial Crimes Enforcement Network or FinCEN
An IA registered in state A decides it wishes to maintain custody of customer assets. As long as the securities laws of state A don’t prohibit custody, the investment advisor would have to promptly notify
The administrator using form ADV
Is there a minimum net worth standard for IARs?
No, the minimum net worth standard is for IAs
Written discretionary auth. is NOT required for an agent to choose which of the following order instructions?
- Security to be bought or sold
- # of shares
- Time of execution
- Price
Time and Price. If an agent chooses price or timing only, that order is not a discretionary order, and written auth. is not required. To be discretionary, the agent must choose one or more of: asset, action, amount.
What is the first thing you must do when you find out your client wants to trade on insider info?
Tell your immediate supervisor/principal
Which of the following may be in violating of the USA?
- IA charges a flat fee for all acts < 100k
- Adviser charges all accounts a percentage of assets under mgmt
- Client agrees to compensate adviser on a % of capital gains in excess of the SNP 500 in return for guaranteeing the SNP return
3 only is prohibited. Guaranteeing a level of performance is prohibited whether the client agrees to it or not. An adviser may charge clients a flat fee, as long as its fair and reasonable. Charging accounts a percentage of assets under mgmt is acceptable under the USA
Who can have discretionary powers - an IA or IARs
Both. If so, only the IA may be required to be bonded (adequate net worth will suffice)
What are the exceptions to the brochure rule?
Client is:
- Investment co
- Someone receiving impersonal advice with an annual fee less than $500
Can you solicit orders in unregistered exempt securities?
Yes. Securities that do not require registration are exempt under the USA. The agent who solicits must be registered as well as the agents BD.
Omitting non-material facts is not fraudulent
Nonmaterial facts are those that do not impact an investors decision making process. Omitting material facts is fraudulent.
It is unlawful for any IA to take or have custody of customer funds or securities if
- The administrator prohibits custody by rule
2. In the absence of rule, the IA fails to notify the administrator that he has, or may have custody
What is the wealth requirement for someone to have performance based compensation for an individual
1 mil under mgmt of the advisor or 2.1 mil net worth
Under the USA, which of the following IAs would be required to include a balance sheet in their brochure?
- An IA who exercises discretion
- IA who maintains custody over client funds and securities
- IA who maintains less than 35k in net worth
- IA who, 6 or more months in advance, collects prepaid fees of > $500
2 and 4. An IA who maintains custody and an IA who collects prepayment of > $500 6 or more mos in advance
Securities that don’t require registration under the USA are
Exempt securities
If a customer wants to trade on insider info, do you need to bring it to the attention of the administrator?
No, you only need to tell your direct supervisor/principal
Discretionary authority must be in written form with 2 exceptions
- Client has determined the specific security and amount, leaving discretion as to price or timing only
- If the client has just entered into an advisory contract or discretionary agreement and will give written authority within 10 biz days
Can the adviser be named the agent or trustee of customers funds in a discretionary account?
Yes. Unless using a qualified custodian, the adviser must be named as agent or trustee.
Under which of the following circumstances does NASAA allow an investment adviser to charge performance-based fees?
- Client must initially have 1mil under mgmt or net worth > 2.1mil
- Compensation paid in this way must be for gains reduced by losses
- Disclosure that the fee arrangement may cause riskier or more speculative trades than if there wasn’t performance based fees
All three. Performance based is permitted if client has 1mil under mgmt and net worth > 2.1mil, provided the compensation is based on gains and losses. NASAA is different in that state reg advisors must make addtl disclosures about incentive to take addtl risk
Under which of the following circumstances does NASAA allow an investment adviser to charge performance-based fees?
- Client must initially have 1mil under mgmt or net worth > 2.1mil
- Compensation paid in this way must be for gains reduced by losses
- Disclosure that the fee arrangement may cause riskier or more speculative trades than if there wasn’t performance based fees
All three. Performance based is permitted if client has 1mil under mgmt and net worth > 2.1mil, provided the compensation is based on gains and losses. NASAA is different in that state reg advisors must make addtl disclosures about incentive to take addtl risk
A customer upset with his agent for the execution price of a recent trade sends the agent a complaint via email. The agent should
Bring the customer complaint to his supervisor immediately.
Do you have to tell your client if you are splitting commissions?
No. You can split with someone at your BD or an affiliate BD
Your client owns a stock that has dropped 10% but you tell her it’s still been going up
This is fraudulent bc it is giving fictitious quotes/not accurate quotes
To come under the SEC’s requirement to file form 13f, an institutional manager must have discretion over
- A portfolio of at least 50mil
- A portfolio of at least 100mil
- More than 10% of the outstanding voting securities of a reporting company
- A portfolio of at least 100mil of 13(f) securities
An institutional money manager with at least 100mil of 13(f) securities under discretionary management is required to file form 13(f). This form must be filed within 45 days of the end of the quarter.
Which of the following regarding an IAs use of a full-service broker for an account over which the IA has discretion is true?
- Full service broker may not be used for any transaction that could be done by a discount broker
- Full service broker may only be used if the broker is not affiliated with the IA
- Sales incentives such as free vacations, may be taken into consideration by the adviser in determining whether to use full service broker
- A full service broker may only be used if the charge is reasonable in relation to the advice, analyses, or other services provided.
- Use of a full service broker to effect transactions for an account the IA has discretion is not a breach of fiduciary duty, provided the full service brokers commission is reasonable in view of the services provided.
Can an IA or IAR share in profits or losses with a client?
No, only an agent of a BD can share in profits/losses and only with written permission from the client and the employing BD