As we approach the end of the year, it is crucial for investment adviser firms to review their 2024 Preliminary Renewal Statements, which are now accessible through their IARD accounts. This statement is an overview of the firm’s current registration status and the associated renewal fees. Let us delve into the specifics of this renewal statement and its implications for your investment adviser firm.
Investment adviser firms can now access to their Preliminary Renewal Statement for 2024 through their IARD (Investment Adviser Registration Depository) accounts.
The Maryland Division of Securities is proposing to require all investment adviser representatives (“IARs”) registered in Maryland to complete continuing education (“CE”).
The Nebraska Department of Banking & Finance recently published proposed revisions to its rules for investment advisers under the Securities Act of Nebraska.
Mississippi is the first state to adopt the Model Rule on Investment Adviser Representative Continuing Education (“Model Rule”) published by the North American Securities Administrators Association (“NASAA”) in 2020. Adopted without substantive changes, Mississippi’s new IAR CE rule closely tracks the Model Rule which will simplify compliance for investment adviser representatives registered in multiple states. As states continue to adopt the IAR CE Model Rule, NASAA will update its list of member states that are adopting the Model Rule.
The Texas Securities Commissioner recently entered into a consent order with an investment adviser representative (also referred to as an “IAR”) related to his performance fee arrangement and trading practices.
In light of the new investment adviser representative (“IAR”) licensing requirement of the State of New York, RIA Compliance Consultants has updated its sample compliance manual section for investment adviser representative licensing in New York.
The State of New York recently announced a special exam waiver window on the Central Registration Depository (“CRD”) system, which will affect existing investment adviser representatives (“IARs”) seeking registration in New York via an exam waiver (in lieu of taking and passing the Series 65 or Series 66 & 7 examinations). IAR applicants requesting an exam waiver should apply between February 27, 2021 and August 31, 2021 in order to avoid opening an unnecessary exam window on the CRD system and being charged an examination fee. Between Feb. 27, 2021 and August 31, 2021, FINRA will temporarily modify the CRD system for NY only RA registration requests to allow the applicants who qualify for an exam waiver to avoid opening a window.
The State of New York’s new investment adviser representative (“IAR”) registration requirements are now effective. Prior February 1, 2021, New York remained the final state that did not require investment adviser representatives to be licensed with the state securities regulator by filing the Form U4. Adopted in December 2020, the rule changes now require the registration of investment adviser representatives – including principals, supervisors and solicitors for registered investment adviser firms – by filing the Form U4 via the WebCRD/IARD system. Registration is required for investment adviser representatives of New York state registered investment adviser firms, as well as for investment adviser representatives of SEC-registered investment adviser firms, if the investment adviser representative conducts advisory activities from a place of business in New York.
In December 2020, the New York Attorney General’s Investor Protection Bureau (IPB) adopted proposed rule changes to 13 N.Y.C.R.R. Part 11. These rule changes require the registration of investment adviser representatives – including principals, supervisors and solicitors for registered investment advisers – through the WebCRD/IARD system beginning February 1, 2021. Prior to the rule change, New York was the only state that did not license investment adviser representatives via the WebCRD/IARD system. Click here to read the final adopted rule.
