On December 22, 2020, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) announced it has adopted amendments (also known as the “marketing rule”) to its rules under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 (“Advisers Act”) that govern advertising and cash solicitation activities by investment advisers registered with the SEC. Unlike the proposed amendments, the SEC’s finalized marketing rule addresses both advertising and soliciting under a single rule. Click here to read the SEC’s final rule release for this new marketing rule for investment advisers.
Category Archives: Solicitors
Additions to RIA Compliance Consultants’ Sample Forms Library
January 17, 2017
RIA Compliance Consultants added four new Sample Forms to our Sample Forms Library. The new Sample Forms are:
NASAA Proposes Model Rule Regarding Solicitors for Registered Investment Advisors
September 08, 2009
The Investment Adviser Regulatory Policy and Review Project Group of the North American Securities Administrators Association (known as “NASAA” and essentially consisting of state securities regulators) recently solicited comments from the public on a proposed model rule regarding solicitors for registered investment advisors. The comment period ended in August and NASAA has not yet released a final version of the model rule. According to NASAA’s website, the model rule “is necessary and appropriate to facilitate the regulation of solicitor activity for the benefit of investors, to promote uniformity among the states and between states and federal rules, and to provide guidance to the industry.”
Licensing of Solicitors as Investment Advisor Representatives Required by Most State Securities Regulators
August 10, 2009
Did you know that most state securities regulators require paid solicitors of registered investment advisor firms to license as investment advisor representatives? This means that the solicitor must either establish his/her own registered investment advisor or license under an existing registered investment advisor. From the solicitor’s perspective it is far easier to simply license under an existing registered investment advisor rather than forming a new registered investment advisor. However, what does that mean for the existing registered investment advisor holding the solicitor’s investment advisor representative license?
New Hampshire Waives the Series 65 Exam Requirement for Solicitors
September 03, 2007
Under House Bill 889, the State of New Hampshire recently amended its Uniform Securities Act (RSA 421-B:2) to exempt an individual, who is an investment adviser or investment adviser representative and conducting investment advisory business solely as a solicitor, from the Series 65 examination requirement.
Earlier this month, the California Department of Corporations announced proposed changes to rules regulating investment advisers registered in California. According to the release, the objective in proposing the amendments is to increase uniformity with the model rules suggested by the North American Securities Administrators Association (NASAA), rules already in effect in other states, and rules established by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). California is giving the public an opportunity to comment on the proposed changes. The time period for comment ends on October 30, 2007.
Ohio Prohibits Mortgage Brokers & Loan Officers From Obtaining Referral Fee From Affiliated Registered Investment Adviser
July 01, 2007
In the most recent quarterly Ohio Securities Bulletin, the Ohio Division of Securities, which is the regulator of state registered investment advisers in Ohio, noted a recent position taken by its sister division, the Ohio Division of Financial Institutions, which regulates banks and mortgage brokers, since it may have implications to registered investment advisers registered affiliated with banks or mortgage brokers in Ohio.
Client Referral Sources: Don’t Forget About the Regulations
September 03, 2005
A recent article in Investment Advisor magazine discussed the benefit of using clients as referral sources and the growing practice of using other professionals, such as CPAs and attorneys, to help land clients as well. This article brings to mind the importance of understanding SEC Rule 206(4)-3. (A state registered investment advisor should refer to the state rule on the subject.)