Series 65

Study Alert: New memory retention study finds reading hard copy is better than reading online

A University of Oregon study shows that readers of the printed New York Times “remember significantly more news stories than online news readers.” Continue reading

A University of Oregon study shows that readers of the printed New York Times “remember significantly more news stories than online news readers.” Additionally, the study shows that print readers “remember significantly more topics than online newsreaders” and that print readers remembered “more main points of news stories.”

For anyone studying for an exam and thinking about what type of study material to use, this study from Arthur D. Santana, Randall Livingstone and Yoon Cho is something to be aware of. Click on the following link below for the full article:

http://img.slate.com/media/66/MediumMatters.pdf.

Exam Alert: FINRA Charges New Fees for Canceling or Rescheduling Exams

FINRA has changed its rules regarding fees for canceling and rescheduling exams. Beginning September 1, 2011, if you cancel or reschedule an exam within Continue reading

FINRA has changed its rules regarding fees for canceling and rescheduling exams. Beginning September 1, 2011, if you cancel or reschedule an exam within 3-10 business days of the scheduled date, you will be charged one-half of the exam fee being canceled or rescheduled. If you cancel or reschedule within two days prior to the exam date, you will be charged the full exam fee.

You can check out the full notice from FINRA by clicking here.

Exam Alert: SEC alters investment adviser registration and reporting requirements

The SEC has adopted changes to the registration and reporting requirements that private fund advisers face. Unless the private fund adviser meets Continue reading

The SEC has adopted changes to the registration and reporting requirements that private fund advisers face. Unless the private fund adviser meets an exemption, they must register with the SEC. Exemptions from registration are provided for venture capital fund advisers and private fund advisers with less than $150 million in assets under management in the U.S., though these advisers must still report certain business information. Foreign private advisers are exempt from the registration and reporting requirements.

Source: SEC Release 2011-133

Exam Alert: Mid-sized advisers must register with the states

The SEC has modified the standards for federal investment adviser registration. They have raised the bar for federal registration from Continue reading

The SEC has modified the standards for federal investment adviser registration. They have raised the bar for federal registration from $25 million in assets under management to $100 million. Advisers with between $25 million and $100 million in assets under management fall into the new category of “mid-sized advisers,” which must register with the states unless they qualify for federal registration based on other criteria. Mid-sized advisers have until June 28, 2012 to register at the state level.

Source: SEC Release 2011-133

Exam Alert: SEC approves exemption from investment adviser registration for “family offices”

On June 22, 2011, the SEC approved an exclusion for “family offices” from the regulations of the Investment Adviser Act of 1940. The new exemption applies Continue reading

On June 22, 2011, the SEC approved an exclusion for “family offices” from the regulations of the Investment Adviser Act of 1940. The new exemption applies to a company that only provides advice to “family clients,” is wholly owned by “family clients,” and does not hold itself out to the public as an investment adviser. “Family clients” include family members, key employees, and certain other clients.

Family offices were typically covered under the exemption for advisers with fewer than 15 clients, but that exemption will be removed under Dodd-Frank changes.

Relevant to the Series 7, 6, 65, 66, 63, 24 and Series 26 exams.

Source: SEC Release 2011-134

Exam Alert: FINRA pushes back implementation date for higher customer care standards

FINRA has changed the date on which its new know-your-customer and suitability rules will take effect. The new effective date is Continue reading

FINRA has changed the date on which its new know-your-customer and suitability rules (previously mentioned in this exam alert) will take effect. The new effective date is July 9, 2012. FINRA has also answered questions from firms about the new rules; the questions and answers may be found here.

http://www.finra.org/Industry/Regulation/Notices/2011/P123702

Exam Alert: SEC proposes rule to change standards for “qualified clients”

The SEC has proposed a rule to increase the dollar amount thresholds for “qualified clients” (clients that may be Continue reading

The SEC has proposed a rule to increase the dollar amount thresholds for “qualified clients” (clients that may be charged performance-based fees by an investment adviser). The current rule requires a qualified client to have $750,000 in assets under management or $1.5 million in net worth. Under the proposed rule, these thresholds will be increased to $1 million in assets under management and $2 million in net worth. This revision is required to occur by July 21, 2011. Relevant to sections 4.3.3 of the Series 24 exam, as well as the Series 63, Series 65 and Series 66 exams.

http://www.sec.gov/rules/proposed/2011/ia-3198.pdf

Exam Alert: IRS requires broker-dealers and mutual funds to report cost basis of stocks

Effective January 1, 2011, the IRS requires that when broker-dealers and mutual funds purchase stocks, the cost basis of the stocks must be reported to Continue reading

Effective January 1, 2011, the IRS requires that when broker-dealers and mutual funds purchase stocks, the cost basis of the stocks must be reported to the IRS and to investors. In 2011, this reporting requirement only applies to most stocks, while in 2012 and beyond, the requirement will apply to all stocks. In 2011, the rule will not apply to mutual fund shares and shares purchased via dividend reinvestment plans. Relevant to the Series 6, Series 7, Series 62, Series 65, and Series 66 exams.

IRS news release: http://www.irs.gov/newsroom/article/0,,id=228907,00.html

Analysis by the Securities Technology Monitor: http://www.securitiestechnologymonitor.com/photo_gallery/1_36/27400-1.html

Exam Alert: SEC to nationalize exam program

According to the Wall Street Journal, the SEC is putting the finishing touches on a new uniform manual for its examiners. The WSJ states that the SEC expects Continue reading

According to the Wall Street Journal, the SEC is putting the finishing touches on a new uniform manual for its examiners. The WSJ states that the SEC expects that the new manual will nationalize the agency’s examination program, allowing for uniform processes and procedures across all regional offices. The SEC intends to distribute the manual to examiners in 30 to 60 days and to the public in 30 to 90 days (as of 2/8/11), according to the WSJ.

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704364004576132231587877342.html

Exam Alert: NYSE Euronext and Deutsche Boerse announce merger

On February 15, 2011, Deutsche Boerse AG and NYSE Euronext announced a merger between the two companies. The combined company will serve as “the world’s Continue reading

On February 15, 2011, Deutsche Boerse AG and NYSE Euronext announced a merger between the two companies. The combined company will serve as “the world’s largest trading powerhouse,” according to the Securities Technology Monitor. The name of the combined company has not been announced. The deal has been structured such that Deutsche Boerse shareholders will own 60% of the company, while NYSE Euronext shareholders will own 40%.

http://www.nyse.com/press/1297768048707.html