What is the primary obligation of representatives regarding products and customers?
Have a firm understanding of both the product and the customer
Representatives must understand all investment vehicles and products, including DPPs and derivatives.
What must representatives demonstrate when selling a complex product?
Participation in appropriate training regarding the product’s characteristics, risks, and rewards
FINRA examiners may ask for evidence of this training.
Before recommending a security transaction for a noninstitutional customer, representatives must consider the customer’s:
The key is suitability and fair dealing.
True or false: Representatives can recommend securities without understanding the customer’s investment profile.
FALSE
Recommendations must be consistent with the customer’s investment profile.
What are some red flags indicating unsuitable recommendations by a registered representative?
Supervisors must monitor for these signs.
In the fraudulent sale of securities situation, what did Mr. Landis omit?
Material information about downgrades and credit watch
This omission led to a violation of FINRA Rules 2010 and 2020.
What should a firm do when a representative changes firms regarding mutual funds?
Review the representative’s ability to service or sell existing mutual funds
The firm must ensure that conflicts of interest do not impair judgment.
What is a Direct Participation Program (DPP)?
Typically a limited partnership providing flow-through tax consequences
DPPs carry high risk and illiquidity.
Examples of DPPs include:
These programs must disclose material facts for customer evaluation.
What is a roll-up in the context of DPPs?
An attempt to convert direct participation interests into marketable securities
Roll-ups seek to increase liquidity for illiquid DPPs.
What are the characteristics of a Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT)?
REITs are not considered flow-through investments like DPPs.
What are some risks associated with nontraded REITs?
These risks can affect investors’ ability to assess their investments.
What is the purpose of the Investment Company Act of 1940?
To protect investors from unfair dealings and regulate investment company management
This act was a response to the issues observed during the Great Depression.
What act gave the SEC regulatory power over investment companies and their activities?
Investment Company Act of 1940
This act was part of a series of laws enacted during the Great Depression to protect investors.
The Trust Indenture Act of 1939 requires issuers of U.S. and Canadian corporate debt securities to appoint what?
An independent and qualified trustee
The trustee acts on behalf of the holders of the securities and enforces the issuer’s obligations.
An investment company is defined as an issuer that engages in the business of investing in securities and owns investment securities exceeding what percentage of its total assets?
40%
This definition excludes government securities and cash items.
Name the three classifications of investment companies created by the Investment Company Act of 1940.
These companies pool public money for investment purposes.
True or false: A holding company is considered an investment company under the Investment Company Act of 1940.
FALSE
The definition of an investment company does not include holding companies.
What are the two types of management companies?
Open-end companies continuously offer shares, while closed-end companies issue shares that trade in the secondary market.
What is a redeemable security?
Any security that entitles the holder to receive a proportionate share of the issuer’s current net assets
This definition typically refers to mutual funds, variable annuities, and unit investment trusts.
What is the sales load?
The difference between the price of a security to the public and the net proceeds received by the issuer
It accounts for various fees and expenses deducted from the sale.
What are the two types of unit investment trusts?
Fixed trusts have a set portfolio, while participating trusts purchase shares of mutual funds.
Under the Investment Company Act of 1940, what is the 75-5-10 test for a diversified investment company?
At least 75% of total assets in non-affiliated securities, no more than 5% in any one issuer, and no more than 10% of voting securities of any one issuer
This test ensures diversification in investment companies.
What is required for a management company to issue securities to the public?
Registration with the SEC on Form N-IA and a minimum capital of $100,000
This ensures compliance with the Investment Company Act of 1940.