If You’re a Principal or Operations Professional, Your FINRA Exam Deadline May Be Extended

If you’re a newly promoted principal at your firm, FINRA may have just delivered you some good news. Continue reading

If you’re a newly promoted principal at your firm, FINRA may have just delivered you some good news.

In response to current events, FINRA has adopted a temporary rule change giving many new principals until December 31st to complete their FINRA exams.

To qualify for the extension, the principal must have been promoted from representative by her firm before September 3rd.

Among the principals included in the extension are General Securities Principals (Series 24), Financial and Operations Principals (Series 27 or 28), Investment Company/Variable Contract Limited Principals (Series 26), and Compliance Officers (Series 14).

The extension also applies to one rep-level license. Operations Professionals (Series 99) hired before September 3rd also have until December 31st to pass their exams.

The Solomon Exam Prep team is always on the lookout for how current developments affect the securities industry. For more updates from our Industry News blog, use the subscribe form on this page.

Study Question of the Month – April 2016

This month’s study question from the Solomon Online Exam Simulator question database is now available! Relevant to the Series 6, 7, 24, 26, 62, and 82. –ANSWER POSTED– Continue reading

This month’s study question from the Solomon Online Exam Simulator question database is now available!

***Submit your answer to info@solomonexamprep.com to be entered to win a $10 Starbucks gift card.***

Study Question

Question (Relevant to the Series 6, Series 7, Series 24, Series 26, Series 62, and Series 82): Which of the following would most likely be classified as a branch office?

Answers: 

A. The floor of a registered exchange

B. A vacation home where the registered representative works for 45 business days a year

C. A customer service office where no sales activities are conducted

D. A location used primarily for non-securities activities and from which 25 securities transactions are effected a year

Correct Answer: B. A vacation home where the registered representative works for 45 business days a year

Rationale: A branch office is any location where one or more associated employees is in the business of soliciting or effecting (but not executing) the purchase or sale of any security.

A location outside of a primary residence, for example, a vacation home, is considered a non-branch location as long as it is used for securities business fewer than 30 business days per year.

The floor of a registered exchange is also considered a non-branch office if it is where a member firm conducts business with public customers.

Other examples of non-branch offices include:

  • Any location that is used primarily to engage in non-securities activities and from which the associated persons effect no more than 25 securities transactions in any one calendar year (provided that any retail communication identifying such location also sets forth the address and telephone number of the location from which the associated persons conducting business at the non-branch locations are directly supervised)
  • Any office location established solely for customer service and/or back office type functions where no sales activities are conducted

Congratulations to Alexa M. this month’s Study Question of the Month winner!

Study Question of the Month – March 2016

This month’s study question from the Solomon Online Exam Simulator question database is now available! Relevant to the Series 24 and 26. –ANSWER POSTED– Continue reading

This month’s study question from the Solomon Online Exam Simulator question database is now available!

***Submit your answer to info@solomonexamprep.com to be entered to win a $10 Starbucks gift card.***

Study Question

Question (Relevant to the Series 24 and Series 26):

Member firms that execute investment company transactions for their customers must transmit payments to underwriters, investment companies or their designated agents by the later of: the end of the _______business day after receiving a customer’s order or the end of _________ after receiving a customer’s payment for such shares.

Answers:

A. seventh, 3 business days

B. second, 1 business day

C. third, 1 business day

D. fifth, 3 business days

Correct Answer: C. third, 1 business day

Rationale: Member firms that execute investment company transactions for their customers must transmit payments to underwriters, investment companies or their designated agents by the later of: the end of the third business day after receiving a customer’s order or the end of 1 business day after receiving a customer’s payment for such shares.

Congratulations to Janet K. this month’s Study Question of the Month winner!

***Submit your answer to info@solomonexamprep.com to be entered to win a $10 Starbucks gift card.***

FINRA Enacts New Rule 2040 on Payments to Unregistered Persons

FINRA Rule 2040 became effective August 24, 2015. It replaces NASD Rules 2420 and 1060(b). This change affects the Series 6, 7, 24, 26, 27, 28, 62, and 82 exams. Continue reading

Exam AlertFINRA Rule 2040 became effective August 24, 2015.  It replaces NASD Rules 2420 and 1060(b).  This change affects the Series 6, 7, 24, 26, 27, 28, 62, and 82 exams.

FINRA Rule 2040 explains that an entity must register as a broker-dealer in order to receive commissions and fees for a securities transaction, unless it is a transaction that does not require registration.  FINRA does not explicitly outline which transactions do not require registration, but it states that member firms can make this determination on their own by:

  • Relying on releases, no-action letters, and interpretations from the SEC
  • Requesting a no-action letter from the SEC
  • Seeking a legal opinion

Rule 2040 further states that retired representatives may continue to be paid commissions on customer accounts if the representative and member have agreed upon the continuing payments before retirement.

Finally, Rule 2040 (c) states that members may conduct transactions with foreign finders as long as certain requirements are met, including:

  • The member firm is sure that the finder does not need to register as a broker-dealer in the U.S. and the compensation arrangement doesn’t violate foreign law
  • Neither the finder nor the customer is a U.S. citizen, and both live abroad
  • Customers receive a document disclosing the compensation paid to the finder by the member firm
  • Customers acknowledge receipt of this disclosure to the member firm in writing, which the firm retains and keeps available for inspection
  • Confirmation of each transaction indicates that a finder’s fee is being paid by written agreement

Source: Regulatory Notice 15-07

Solomon’s Industry News: September 2015 Edition

Solomon Exam Prep is happy to release this month’s edition of “Solomon’s Industry News.” Continue reading

Solomon Exam Prep is happy to release this month’s edition of “Solomon’s Industry News.” Every month we will send out industry updates from the past month, so you can stay current and up-to-date on everything that is happening here at Solomon Exam Prep and in the industry.

Check out this month’s edition here: Solomon’s Industry News – September 2015.

To be added to our monthly mailing list, please click here.

Solomon Exam Prep Launches “Series 26 FINRA Investment Company and Variable Contract Products Principal Examination” Study Program

Solomon Exam Prep is excited to announce the launch of the Solomon Exam Prep study program for the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority’s (FINRA) Series 26 Investment Company and Variable Contracts Products Principal Examination. Continue reading


prod_bkSEP26prod_sim26Solomon Exam Prep is excited to announce the launch of the Solomon Exam Prep study program for the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority’s (FINRA) Series 26 Investment Company and Variable Contracts Products Principal Examination (http://www.finra.org/industry/series26). Solomon Exam Prep’s study program consists of an Exam Study Guide, Online Exam Simulator, and soon-to-be-released Audiobook.

A Series 26 license will qualify an individual to function as a principal for the solicitation, purchase, and/or sale of redeemable securities of companies registered pursuant to the Investment Company Act of 1940; securities of closed-end companies registered pursuant to the Investment Company Act of 1940 during the period of original distribution only; and variable contracts and insurance premium funding programs and other contracts issued by an insurance company. The Series 26 does have a prerequisite exam requirement – candidates must have taken and passed either the Series 6 or Series 7 exam.

The Series 26 exam consists of 110 questions taken over 165 minutes and is broken down in to the following three functions:

  • Function 1 – Personnel management activities and registration of the broker-dealer – 15%
  • Function 2 – Supervises associated persons and oversees sales practices – 44%
  • Function 3 – Oversees compliance and business processes of the broker-dealer and its offices – 41%

Solomon Exam Prep has been writing study questions for the Series 26 for many years and has recently published an Exam Study Guide to pair with our Online Exam Simulator. By focusing on the most important aspects of the exam, and including lots of exercises and practice questions, as well as a glossary, the Solomon Exam Prep Study Guide will get you on track to pass in the Series 26 in no time.  Let our expertise help guide you through the Series 26 maze so you can enter the exam room with confidence.


Past Solomon Exam Prep students have a lot to say about our Series 26 materials:

Solomon Exam Prep was the ticket to passing my Series 26 test. I would like to thank you all for your help! I would highly recommend their study material for the FINRA exams.” –David H. Viar

I am so glad I used the Solomon prep information for my series 26. The simulator is awesome and helped me the most in having success in passing exam. I strongly recommend the materials for anyone taking the 26. Thanks Rosie!” –Dan Smoot


For more information and/ or to purchase study materials for the Series 26 check out the Solomon Exam Prep website: http://solomonexamprep.com/Series26.

Exam Alert: FINRA Provides Guidance on Communications

On May 22, 2015, FINRA issued guidance concerning communications with the public. Here are some notable points from the guidance… Continue reading

Exam Alert

On May 22, 2015, FINRA issued guidance concerning communications with the public. Here are some notable points from the guidance.

  • Non-promotional communications (i.e. communications that do not promote or recommend a specific product or service) do not need to be filed with FINRA
  • Electronic forum posts are considered retail communication, but are specifically excluded from filing requirements
  • Template updates do not need to be filed with FINRA if all that changed was statistical information
  • Various non-material changes to previously filed communications do not require refiling the communication
  • A reprinted article does not need to be filed with FINRA
  • Promotional items that only have the name of a mutual fund are not considered “advertisements” under Rule 482
  • If a firm includes mutual fund performance in a retail communication or correspondence, they must also include the fund’s expense ratio
  • Firm must file retail communications regarding registered business development companies
  • A Series 26 registration does not permit a principal to approve retail communications concerning a business development company. The principal must have a Series 24, Series 9/10, or Series 39 registration instead.

Sources:
Regulatory Notice 15-17: Guidance on Rules Governing Communications With the Public
FINRA Rule 2210 Questions and Answers

This alert applies to the Series 6, Series 7, Series 9/10, Series 24, Series 26, Series 39, Series 62, Series 82, and Series 99.

Exam Alert: FINRA Revises Public, Non-public Arbitrator Standards

Effective June 26, 2015, FINRA will alter its rules regarding who will be consider a public or non-public arbitrator. The change will make it so that any arbitrator who has worked in the financial industry for any period of time will be considered a non-public arbitrator. Also, arbitrators who represent investors or the financial industry as a significant part of their business will be considered non-public arbitrators, but may become public arbitrators after a cooling-off period. Continue reading

Exam AlertEffective June 26, 2015, FINRA will alter its rules regarding who will be considered a public or non-public arbitrator. The change will make it so that any arbitrator who has worked in the financial industry for any period of time will be considered a non-public arbitrator. Also, arbitrators who represent investors or the financial industry as a significant part of their business will be considered non-public arbitrators, but may become public arbitrators after a cooling-off period. The cooling-off period lasts five years if they were disqualified from being a public arbitrator based on their own actions. The cooling-off period lasts two years if they were disqualified from being a public arbitrator based on someone else’s actions.

Source: SEC Approves Amendments to Arbitration Codes to Revise the Definitions of Non-Public and Public Arbitrator

This alert applies to the Series 6, Series 7, Series 24, Series 26, Series 27, Series 28, Series 62, Series 79, and Series 82.