Exam Alert: FINRA to track trades in all listed US stocks

Effective July 11, 2011, FINRA will start a three-phase plan to track trades in all listed US stocks. Trades will be tracked using Continue reading

Effective July 11, 2011, FINRA will start a three-phase plan to track trades in all listed US stocks.  Trades will be tracked using the Order Audit Trail System (OATS), which is currently used in recording and reporting trades on NASDAQ and in OTC equity securities. Relevant to Series 7, Series 24 and Series 62 exams.

http://www.finra.org/Industry/Regulation/Notices/2011/P122786

Exam Alert: FINRA members prohibited from keeping assets at certain non-member institutions

On February 1, 2011, FINRA Rule 4160, Verification of Assets, was put into effect. This rule states that if the following conditions are true: Continue reading

On February 1, 2011, FINRA Rule 4160, Verification of Assets, was put into effect.  This rule states that if the following conditions are true:

1. A member keeps assets or records at a non-member institution,

2. FINRA has asked the non-member institution to verify what assets or records are being kept for the member, and

3. The non-member fails to promptly provide verification,

Then FINRA will notify the member that they are prohibited from keeping assets and records with the non-member.

http://www.finra.org/Industry/Regulation/Notices/2010/P122526

Exam Alert: Private advisers must register with the SEC

Effective July 21, 2011, investment advisers to most private funds (hedge funds and private equity funds) must register with the SEC. Previously, these Continue reading

Effective July 21, 2011, investment advisers to most private funds (hedge funds and private equity funds) must register with the SEC.  Previously, these advisers had been exempt due to the “private adviser”” exemption.  The Dodd-Frank Act replaces this exemption with narrower exemptions for certain advisers, including advisers that exclusively advise venture capital funds and private fund advisers with less than $150 million in assets under management in the United States.

http://www.sec.gov/spotlight/dodd-frank/hedgefundadvisers.shtml

Exam Alert: FINRA to hold broker-dealers to a higher standard of customer care

Effective October 7, 2011, broker-dealers must adhere to stricter know-your-customer and suitability standards than before. The new rules require Continue reading

Effective October 7, 2011, broker-dealers must adhere to stricter know-your-customer and suitability standards than before.  The new rules require that consideration be given to a customer’s age, investment experience, time horizon, liquidity needs and risk tolerance, in addition to factors that were already required to be considered (other holdings, financial situation and needs, tax status and investment objectives).  These new requirements are similar to the fiduciary standard used by investment advisers. Relevant to the Series 7, Series 66, Series 24, Series 62 and Series 79 exam.

http://www.finra.org/Industry/Regulation/Notices/2011/P122779

Exam Alert: 30-second trade reporting requirement is in effect

Effective November 10, 2010, FINRA’s prior 90-second trade reporting requirement has been replaced with a Continue reading

Effective November 10, 2010, FINRA’s prior 90-second trade reporting requirement has been replaced with a 30-second trade reporting requirement.  This applies to OTC trades made in equity securities during the hours that FINRA trade reporting facilities are open (generally 8 AM to 8 PM Eastern Time). This change also affects trade cancellations that were subject to 90-second reporting.  Note that bonds are typically have a 15-minute trade reporting requirement.
Relevant to the Series 7, Series 62 and the Series 24 General Securities Principal exam.

http://www.finra.org/Industry/Regulation/Notices/2010/P121342

Exam Alert: Underwriters must report indications of interest and final allocations to issuers

Effective May 27, 2011, during a new issue, the underwriting manager must report indications of interest and aggregate demand for the security to Continue reading

Effective May 27, 2011, during a new issue, the underwriting manager must report indications of interest and aggregate demand for the security to the issuer.  After the settlement date of the new issue, a report of the final allocation of shares to institutional investors must be provided to the issuer, along with the aggregate sales to retail investors.  This change was made to increase transparency in the book-building process. Relevant to FINRA Series 7, Series 24, Series 62 and the Series 79 Investment Banking Exam.

http://www.finra.org/Industry/Regulation/Notices/2010/P122491

Exam Alert: NASAA develops list of “Best Practices”

A 2010 NASAA review of broker-dealers found that the three most common compliance problem areas were failure to follow supervisory policy, Continue reading

A 2010 NASAA review of broker-dealers found that the three most common compliance problem areas were failure to follow supervisory policy, advertising and sales literature, and suitability issues. NASAA developed a list of ten best practices and released them in October of 2010.  The recommendations focus on suitability, exception reports, supervisory procedures, and communications.  Relevant to Series 6, Series 7, Series 63, Series 65, Series 66, Series 24, Series 26, Series 62 and Series 79. The list can be found here: http://www.nasaa.org/NASAA_Newsroom/Current_NASAA_Headlines/13382.cfm.

Exam Alert: “Buy-in” notices must be rejected in writing by 6 PM, EST

Effective December 15, if a seller does not accept a “buy-in” notice, it must send a signed, written rejection to the buyer no later than 6:00 PM Eastern Continue reading

Effective December 15, if a seller does not accept a “buy-in” notice, the seller must send a signed, written rejection to the buyer no later than 6:00 PM, Eastern Standard Time.  If no rejection is sent, the notice is accepted.  A “buy-in” notice is sent to a seller when the seller fails to deliver securities.  It allows the buyer to repurchase the securities, with the seller making up any price difference. Relevant to: Series 7, Series 24, Series 62.

http://www.finra.org/Industry/Regulation/Notices/2010/P122271

Exam Alert: Outside business activities require prior notice

Effective December 15, 2010, registered persons must provide prior written notice to their member firms before engaging in Continue reading

Effective December 15, 2010, registered persons must provide prior written notice to their member firms before engaging in outside business activities.  The previous rule only required registered persons to provide prompt written notice.  The new rule also requires that firms review the proposed activities.  For registered persons who were engaged in outside business activities as of December 15, 2010, firms have until June 15, 2011 to review such activities. Relevant to: Series 7, Series 6, Series 24, Series 26, Series 79, Series 62.

http://www.finra.org/Industry/Regulation/Notices/2010/P122271

Series 7 Crossword Puzzle Contest

We know how much you love reading our Pass the 7 book but take a break and try your hand at our Series 7 crossword puzzle! You might even win Continue reading

We know how much you love reading our Pass the 7 book but take a break and try your hand at our Series 7 crossword puzzle! You might even win a Starbucks® gift card.

All you have to do is download the crossword puzzle here, fill it out, and send it to us. If all of your answers are correct, you’ll be entered into a drawing for a Starbucks® gift card!

Mail your completed Series 7 crossword puzzle to:
6750 SW Franklin St.
Portland, OR 97223
Att: Solomon Exam Prep Crossword Contest

Or email your answers to info@solomonexamprep.com.

All entries must be received by Oct. 1, 2010.

Good luck!