Firm Element Course Catalog - Training | WebCE · Understanding Your Role - Vol. 1 ... FINRA: Private Placements: Conducting Reasonable Investigations for Regulation D Offerings

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Firm Element Course Catalog

Contents BANKING ..................................................................................................... Error! Bookmark not defined.

FINRA: AML - Bank Affiliated Broker-Dealers: Understanding Your Role - Vol. 1 – NEW!

.................................................................................................................................................................. 1

COMPLIANCE ............................................................................................................................................ 1

FINRA: AML - Compliance: Suspicious Activity Surveillance - Part 1 ................................... 1

FINRA: AML - Compliance: Suspicious Activity Surveillance - Part 2 ................................... 1

FINRA: Gifts: Understanding Compliance Responsibilities ..................................................... 1

INDEPENDENTS ....................................................................................................................................... 1

FINRA: AML - Independents: More Key Issues – NEW! ............................................................. 1

FINRA: AML - Independents: Understanding Your Compliance Obligations ....................... 1

FINRA: Communications with the Public: Compliance Issues for Independent

Registered Representatives .............................................................................................................. 1

FINRA: Electronic Communications: What Independent Registered Representatives

Need to Know ........................................................................................................................................ 1

FINRA: Gifts: Independent Registered Representative Responsibilities .............................. 2

FINRA: Outside Business Activities for Independent Registered Representatives ........... 2

INSTITUTIONAL ........................................................................................................................................ 2

FINRA: AML - Institutional: Customer Identification Procedures............................................ 2

FINRA: AML - Institutional: Due Diligence for Foreign Correspondent Accounts .............. 2

FINRA: AML - Institutional: Escalating Concerns of Unusual Activity Responsibilities

for Due Diligence .................................................................................................................................. 2

FINRA: AML - Institutional: Exploring New Risks ........................................................................ 2

FINRA: AML - Institutional: Identification and Reporting Issues ............................................. 2

FINRA: AML - Institutional: Identifying and Managing Higher Risk Clients ......................... 2

FINRA: AML - Institutional: More Key Issues – NEW! ................................................................. 2

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FINRA: AML - Institutional: Recognizing Red Flags ................................................................... 2

FINRA: AML - Institutional: Understanding Your Compliance Obligations .......................... 3

FINRA: AML - Institutional: Understanding Your Role - Vol. 1 – NEW! .................................. 3

FINRA: AML - Institutional: Your Role in Detecting and Deterring Money-Laundering

Activity .................................................................................................................................................... 3

FINRA: Annual Compliance Reminders for Institutional Registered Representatives -

Vol. 1 ........................................................................................................................................................ 3


Vol. 2 ........................................................................................................................................................ 3


Vol. 3 – NEW! ......................................................................................................................................... 3

FINRA: Business Conduct - Institutional: Understanding Information Barriers ................. 3

FINRA: Ethical Considerations for Institutional Sales Representatives................................ 3

FINRA: Foreign Corrupt Practices Act: Avoiding Improper Payments .................................. 3

FINRA: Gifts: Institutional Sales Representative Responsibilities ......................................... 3

FINRA: Insider Trading – UPDATED! .............................................................................................. 4

FINRA: Institutional Trading Regulations – NEW! ....................................................................... 4

FINRA: Privacy Considerations: Conducting Business with Institutional Clients ............. 4

FINRA: Supervision Obligations for Firms with Institutional Clients ..................................... 4

FINRA: Supervision Obligations When Monitoring Sales and Trading ................................. 4

OPERATIONS ............................................................................................................................................ 4

FINRA: AML - Operations Staff: Understanding Your Compliance Obligations .................. 4

FINRA: AML - Operations: Customer Identification Procedures ............................................. 4

FINRA: AML - Operations: Escalating Concerns of Unusual Activity and

Responsibilities for Due Diligence .................................................................................................. 4

FINRA: AML - Operations: More Key Issues ................................................................................. 4

FINRA: AML - Operations: Recognizing Red Flags ..................................................................... 4

FINRA: AML - Operations: Your Role in Detecting and Deterring Money-Laundering

Activity .................................................................................................................................................... 5

FINRA: Ethical Considerations for Operations Professionals ................................................. 5



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RETAIL ........................................................................................................................................................ 5

FINRA: 529 College Savings Plans Sales Practices .................................................................... 5

Advertising Regulations, Requirements and Standards – NEW! ............................................ 5

FINRA: AML - Broker-Dealers Conducting Business with Foreign Customers:

Understanding Your Role - Vol. 1 – NEW! ..................................................................................... 5

FINRA: AML - Retail: Customer Due Diligence ............................................................................. 5

FINRA: AML - Retail: Customer Identification Procedures ....................................................... 5

FINRA: AML - Retail: Due Diligence for Private Banking Accounts........................................ 5

FINRA: AML - Retail: Exploring New Risks ................................................................................... 5

FINRA: AML - Retail: More Key Issues ........................................................................................... 5

FINRA: AML - Retail: Recognizing and Escalating Suspicious Activity ................................ 6

FINRA: AML - Retail: Recognizing Red Flags ............................................................................... 6

FINRA: AML - Retail: Understanding Your Compliance Obligations ...................................... 6

FINRA: AML - Retail: Understanding Your Role - Vol. 1 – NEW!.............................................. 6

FINRA: AML - Retail: Variable Annuities and Variable Life Insurance ................................... 6

FINRA: AML - Retail: Your Role in Detecting and Deterring Money-Laundering Activity . 6

FINRA: Annual Compliance Reminders for Registered Representatives - Vol. 1 ............... 6



FINRA: Annual Compliance Reminders for Registered Representatives - Vol. 4 - NEW! . 6

Annuities: FINRA Rule 2330 – UPDATED! ..................................................................................... 7

Annuity Suitability: Customer Perspective – UPDATED! .......................................................... 7

Annuity Suitability: Practice – UPDATED! .................................................................................... 7

Annuity Suitability: Practice and Disclosure ................................................................................ 7

Basic 401(k) Plans – UPDATED! ...................................................................................................... 7

Basic Features of the Variable Annuity .......................................................................................... 7

Basics of Retirement Planning – UPDATED! ................................................................................ 7

FINRA: Books and Records ............................................................................................................... 7

Business Gifts and Entertainment –NEW! .................................................................................... 7



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Case Studies in Ethics – NEW! ......................................................................................................... 8

Client Data Protection – NEW! .......................................................................................................... 8

FINRA: Communications with the Public: What Retail Staff Need to Know ......................... 8

Communicating Effectively with Senior Clients .......................................................................... 8

Communications with the Public – NEW! ...................................................................................... 8

Compliance Highlights – NEW! ........................................................................................................ 8

Components of Financial Planning ................................................................................................. 8

Conflicts of Interest – NEW! .............................................................................................................. 8

FINRA: Corporate and Government Bonds: Regulatory Considerations – NEW!............... 8

FINRA: Customer Information Protection for Registered Representatives .......................... 9

FINRA: Customer Information Protection for Supervisors ....................................................... 9

Design and Function of Variable Annuities .................................................................................. 9

Estate Planning and Wealth Transitioning .................................................................................... 9

Ethical Decision Making Process .................................................................................................... 9

Ethical Duties When Working with Senior Clients ...................................................................... 9

Financial Planning: College .............................................................................................................. 9

Financial Planning: Retirement ........................................................................................................ 9

Financial Planning: The Estate ......................................................................................................... 9

FINRA: Debt Mark-Ups ........................................................................................................................ 9

FINRA: Electronic Communications: What Retail Staff Need to Know .................................. 9

FINRA: Electronic Communications: What Supervisors Need to Know .............................. 10

FINRA: Ethical Considerations for Registered Representatives ........................................... 10

FINRA: Ethical Considerations for Supervisors ........................................................................ 10

FINRA: Exchange Traded Products: Understanding Leveraged and Inverse ETPs ......... 10

Fixed Annuities: Using the Annuity for Income ......................................................................... 10

FINRA: Fixed Income Suitability: Retail Sales Practices ......................................................... 10

FINRA: Gifts: Registered Representatives Responsibilities ................................................... 10

FINRA: Gifts: Understanding Supervisory Responsibilities ................................................... 10



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FINRA: Hedge Funds: Understanding Sales Practice Responsibilities ............................... 10

How Tax Deferred Annuities Work ................................................................................................ 10

Indexed Products: Suitability and Marketing ............................................................................. 11

Key Components of Ethical Decision Making ............................................................................ 11

Know Your Customer and Suitability Requirements – NEW! ................................................. 11

FINRA: Life of an Equity Trade ....................................................................................................... 11

FINRA: MSRB Supervision Rules ................................................................................................... 11

Money Laundering: Prevention and Detection - NEW! ............................................................ 11

FINRA: Municipal Bonds: Regulatory Considerations – NEW! .............................................. 11

Obstacles to Ethical Decision Making .......................................................................................... 11

FINRA: Outside Business Activities .............................................................................................. 11

Outside Business Activities and Accounts – NEW! ................................................................. 11

Overview of Complex Products - NEW! ....................................................................................... 11

FINRA: Penny Stock Sales ............................................................................................................... 12

FINRA: Private Placements: Conducting Reasonable Investigations for Regulation D

Offerings ............................................................................................................................................... 12

FINRA: Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs): Regulatory Considerations – NEW! ...... 12

Required Recordkeeping – NEW! .................................................................................................. 12

FINRA: Retail Branch Office Supervision: Compliance with Regulations – UPDATED! . 12

FINRA: Retail Branch Office Supervision: Understanding Supervisory Responsibilities

................................................................................................................................................................ 12

FINRA: Retail Supervision: Sales to Senior Investors – UPDATED! .................................... 12

Retirement Distribution Planning - UPDATED! .......................................................................... 12

Retirement Income Planning ........................................................................................................... 12

Retirement Rollovers and Conversions – UPDATED! .............................................................. 12

Retirement: Multigenerational Distribution – UPDATED! ........................................................ 13

FINRA: Senior Investor Issues: Diminished Decisional Capacity ......................................... 13

Senior Investors: Use of Senior Designations - NEW! ............................................................. 13

Social Media in the Business Arena – NEW! .............................................................................. 13



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FINRA: Suitability and Know Your Customer Obligations: FINRA Rules 2111 and 2090 13

Suitability of Variable Annuities ..................................................................................................... 13

FINRA: Supervision: FINRA Rules 3110, 3120, 3150 and 3170 – NEW!................................ 13

Taxation of Fixed Annuities ............................................................................................................ 13

Taxation of Variable Annuities ....................................................................................................... 13

Traditional and Roth IRA Accounts – UPDATED! ..................................................................... 14

FINRA: Understanding Commodity Futures-Linked Securities ............................................. 14

FINRA: Understanding Retail Structured Products ................................................................... 14

FINRA: Understanding Social Media for Retail Registered Representatives ..................... 14

Understanding Social Security Retirement ................................................................................. 14

Understanding the Compliance Obligations of a Supervisor – NEW! ................................. 14

FINRA: Use of Social Media for Business Purposes ................................................................ 14

Using Life Insurance to Help Fund Retirement .......................................................................... 14

FINRA: Variable Annuities: Regulatory Implications – NEW! ................................................. 14

FINRA: Variable Annuities: Sales and Practice Issues for 1035 Exchanges ...................... 14

FINRA: Variable Annuities: Suitability and Disclosure of New Purchases ......................... 14

Variable Annuity GLB Riders .......................................................................................................... 15

Variable Annuity Income Options .................................................................................................. 15

Variable Annuity Investment Options ........................................................................................... 15

WHOLESALE ........................................................................................................................................... 15

FINRA: AML - Wholesalers: More Key Issues ............................................................................. 15

FINRA: AML - Wholesalers: Understanding Your Compliance Obligations ....................... 15

FINRA: AML - Wholesalers: Your Role in Detecting and Deterring Money-Laundering

Activity .................................................................................................................................................. 15

FINRA: Communications with the Public: Compliance Issues for Wholesalers ............... 15

FINRA: Electronic Communications: What Wholesalers Need to Know ............................. 15

FINRA: Gifts: Understanding Wholesaler Responsibilities ..................................................... 15

FINRA: Outside Business Activities for Wholesalers ............................................................... 15



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BANKING FINRA: AML - Bank Affiliated Broker-Dealers: Understanding Your Role - Vol. 1 – NEW!

In this course, scenarios help registered representatives at bank-affiliated broker-dealers identify unusual activity in customer accounts that could indicate potential money laundering, and identify what steps to take when such suspicion arises.

COMPLIANCE

FINRA: AML - Compliance: Suspicious Activity Surveillance - Part 1

This course is the first course in a two-part anti-money laundering series for compliance staff. The activities in this course aim to help compliance professionals identify the types of red flags that could trigger a SAR filing, and illustrate ways to examine and respond to red flags.

FINRA: AML - Compliance: Suspicious Activity Surveillance - Part 2

This course is the second in a two-part anti-money laundering series for compliance staff. The case studies in this course demonstrate monitoring techniques to prepare broker-dealer compliance staff to identify, investigate and report suspicious activity in customer accounts. It also includes practice on how to write an effective SAR narrative.

FINRA: Gifts: Understanding Compliance Responsibilities

This course presents regulatory requirements and industry compliance practices related to business gifts to help you understand your role as a member of the compliance staff in complying with FINRA rules. Scenarios demonstrate how to determine whether gifts are business-related, and illustrate proper gift-aggregation and recordkeeping techniques.

INDEPENDENTS

FINRA: AML - Independents: More Key Issues – NEW!

The scenarios in this course aim to help independent registered representatives identify unusual activity in customer accounts that could indicate potential money laundering, and identify what steps to take when such suspicion arises.

FINRA: AML - Independents: Understanding Your Compliance Obligations

In this course, scenarios highlight risks independent firms and registered representatives face when handling unusual account activity and expediting the account opening process.

FINRA: Communications with the Public: Compliance Issues for Independent Registered Representatives

This course helps independent registered representatives understand their compliance responsibilities when communicating with clients. It covers the consequences of noncompliance with requirements for communicating with the public.

FINRA: Electronic Communications: What Independent Registered Representatives Need to Know

This course helps independent registered representatives understand their responsibilities with respect to electronic communications. It shows how regulatory standards apply to social media and other electronic communications.



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FINRA: Gifts: Independent Registered Representative Responsibilities

This course presents regulatory requirements and industry compliance practices related to business gifts to help you understand your role as an independent registered representative in complying with FINRA rules. Brief interactive activities and scenarios demonstrate how to determine whether gifts are business-related, and illustrate proper gift-aggregation and recordkeeping techniques.

FINRA: Outside Business Activities for Independent Registered Representatives

This course covers regulations governing the treatment of outside business activities and reviews factors an independent registered representative should consider before participating in an outside business activity or conducting a private securities transaction. Using real industry scenarios, this course illustrates how regulatory requirements for outside business activities apply to independent registered representatives.

INSTITUTIONAL

FINRA: AML - Institutional: Customer Identification Procedures

Scenarios illustrate the customer identification process and address typical situations involving institutional customers.

FINRA: AML - Institutional: Due Diligence for Foreign Correspondent Accounts

This course describes anti-money laundering due diligence requirements for working with foreign correspondent accounts. It includes a discussion of what correspondent accounts are and a focus on due diligence requirements for them.

FINRA: AML - Institutional: Escalating Concerns of Unusual Activity Responsibilities for Due Diligence

Scenarios demonstrate the need to obtain proper customer identification for institutional accounts and emphasize the importance of due diligence.

FINRA: AML - Institutional: Exploring New Risks

Scenarios cover situations involving a suspect subaccount, including account opening and subsequent trading and funding activity, and due diligence with a high-risk client.

FINRA: AML - Institutional: Identification and Reporting Issues

Scenarios cover trading activity inconsistent with investment objectives, extra due diligence requirements for an acquisition and new account opening with a politically exposed person.

FINRA: AML - Institutional: Identifying and Managing Higher Risk Clients

Scenarios include situations involving new account openings with institutional customers, including a hedge fund and a client with existing accounts elsewhere at the firm.

FINRA: AML - Institutional: More Key Issues – NEW!

The scenarios in this course aim to help institutional registered representatives identify unusual activity in client accounts that could indicate potential money laundering, and identify what steps to take when such suspicion arises.

FINRA: AML - Institutional: Recognizing Red Flags

Scenarios illustrate the customer identification process and address typical situations involving institutional customers.



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FINRA: AML - Institutional: Understanding Your Compliance Obligations

In this course, scenarios highlight risks institutional firms and registered representatives face when handling unusual account activity and expediting the account opening process.

FINRA: AML - Institutional: Understanding Your Role - Vol. 1 – NEW!

In this course, scenarios help institutional registered representatives identify unusual activity in customer accounts that could indicate potential money laundering, and identify what steps to take when such suspicion arises.

FINRA: AML - Institutional: Your Role in Detecting and Deterring Money-Laundering Activity

Activities in this course demonstrate why prompt escalation of suspicious activities is essential. Your firm does not need to confirm that a crime has been committed before it files a report, and you do not need evidence that a transaction involves illegal activity before you escalate the situation.

FINRA: Annual Compliance Reminders for Institutional Registered Representatives - Vol. 1

This course uses scenarios adapted from actual FINRA disciplinary actions to remind institutional sales representatives of their compliance obligations. Volume 1 covers social media and public communications, Form U4 disclosures, private securities transactions, handling firm funds and maintaining ethical behavior when fulfilling continuing education requirements.

FINRA: Annual Compliance Reminders for Institutional Registered Representatives - Vol. 2

This course uses scenarios adapted from actual FINRA disciplinary actions to remind institutional registered representatives about their compliance obligations. Volume 2 covers responding to FINRA requests for information, borrowing money from clients, ethical behavior and more.

FINRA: Annual Compliance Reminders for Institutional Registered Representatives - Vol. 3 – NEW!

This course uses scenarios adapted from actual FINRA disciplinary actions to remind institutional registered representatives about their compliance obligations. Volume 3 covers proper handling of customer accounts and funds, outside business activities, communications with the public and more.

FINRA: Business Conduct - Institutional: Understanding Information Barriers

This course is designed to help securities industry professionals understand information barriers and the regulatory obligations regarding confidentiality, privacy and conflicts of interest as they relate to material, nonpublic information. It explores related topics such as wall-crossing procedures, restricted and watch lists, physical and electronic separation, and insider trading as it relates to information barriers. Scenarios address information barriers with respect to research and investment banking.

FINRA: Ethical Considerations for Institutional Sales Representatives

This course presents six common ethical principles and selected decision-making models for institutional sales representatives to consider when facing ethical dilemmas. Scenarios demonstrate how these models can be practically applied to common ethical challenges faced by securities professionals.

FINRA: Foreign Corrupt Practices Act: Avoiding Improper Payments

In today’s international business climate, securities professionals must understand and comply with regulations governing corruption and bribery in business practices around the globe. The course covers handling of indirect payments, interactions with intermediaries and government officials, recordkeeping and due diligence.

FINRA: Gifts: Institutional Sales Representative Responsibilities

This course presents regulatory requirements and industry compliance practices related to business gifts to help you understand your role as an institutional sales representative in complying with FINRA rules. Brief interactive activities and scenarios demonstrate how to determine whether gifts are business-related, and illustrate proper gift-aggregation and recordkeeping techniques.



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FINRA: Insider Trading – UPDATED!

This course explains insider trading and the consequences of the intentional or inadvertent misuse of material, nonpublic information. Scenarios illustrate typical situations and emphasize the importance of maintaining confidentiality when in possession of material, nonpublic information.

FINRA: Institutional Trading Regulations – NEW!

This course addresses core regulations related to institutional trading, order handling and recordkeeping. It is designed to help institutional traders and other financial professionals reinforce their understanding of compliance obligations.

FINRA: Privacy Considerations: Conducting Business with Institutional Clients

This course addresses two distinct privacy considerations that institutional sales representatives may encounter in their day-to-day business activities: the importance of protecting private client information and the need to maintain confidentiality when suspicious activity is encountered. Activities and case studies provide opportunities to explore and reinforce how to apply core concepts.

FINRA: Supervision Obligations for Firms with Institutional Clients

This course covers the regulatory and compliance obligations of supervisors at firms servicing institutional clients. Scenarios highlight responsibilities of supervisors in various business areas, including trading, institutional sales, proprietary trading and investment banking. Participants review the challenges in hiring and supervising staff, delegation and failure to document, and the consequences of failing to perform supervisory duties.

FINRA: Supervision Obligations When Monitoring Sales and Trading

This course uses case studies adapted from actual disciplinary actions to remind supervisors of their obligations to monitor sales and trading. It helps supervisors better understand the potential consequences of failing to carry out their supervisory responsibilities.

OPERATIONS

FINRA: AML - Operations Staff: Understanding Your Compliance Obligations

In this course, scenarios highlight risks operations staff face when handling unusual account activity and expediting the account-opening process.

FINRA: AML - Operations: Customer Identification Procedures

Scenarios focus on the responsibility of all employees to escalate suspicious activity and possible red flags, and illustrate the value of account monitoring by operations staff.

FINRA: AML - Operations: Escalating Concerns of Unusual Activity and Responsibilities for Due Diligence

Scenarios demonstrate how an operations professional can recognize methods money launderers may use and when to escalate concerns related to unusual account activity.

FINRA: AML - Operations: More Key Issues

The scenarios in this course aim to help operations professionals identify unusual activity in customer accounts that could indicate potential money laundering, and identify what steps to take when such suspicion arises.

FINRA: AML - Operations: Recognizing Red Flags

Scenarios illustrate the customer identification process and address typical situations involving retail customers.



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FINRA: AML - Operations: Your Role in Detecting and Deterring Money-Laundering Activity

Scenarios demonstrate the role of operations professionals in detecting and reporting suspicious activity. Firms are required to report a broad range of suspicious activities even if they do not have actual knowledge that a transaction involves criminal activity.

FINRA: Ethical Considerations for Operations Professionals

This course presents six common ethical principles and selected decision-making models for operations professionals to consider when facing ethical dilemmas. Scenarios demonstrate how these models can be practically applied to common ethical challenges faced by securities professionals.

RETAIL

FINRA: 529 College Savings Plans Sales Practices

This course explains 529 College Savings Plans—including in-state benefits, fees and expenses, investment options, and limitations and restrictions. Practical scenarios illustrate suitability analyses and underscore the consequences of not meeting regulatory requirements.

Advertising Regulations, Requirements and Standards – NEW!

This course examines FINRA’s advertising regulations and guidance surrounding a variety of types of advertising and other communication. The course discusses the FINRA advertising regulations, requirements, standards and disclosures that every registered representative must be aware of in communicating with, and advertising to, the public.

FINRA: AML - Broker-Dealers Conducting Business with Foreign Customers: Understanding Your Role - Vol.

1 – NEW!

In this course, scenarios help registered representatives who conduct business with foreign customers identify unusual activity in their accounts that could indicate potential money laundering, and identify what steps to take when such suspicion arises.

FINRA: AML - Retail: Customer Due Diligence

Scenarios review the importance of “knowing your customer,” with situations involving a newly referred client and a new account for the real estate LLC of a long-term client.

FINRA: AML - Retail: Customer Identification Procedures

This course illustrates the customer identification process and addresses typical situations involving retail customers.

FINRA: AML - Retail: Due Diligence for Private Banking Accounts

This course describes anti-money laundering due diligence requirements for working with private banking clients. It includes a discussion of what private banking accounts are and a focus on due diligence requirements for them.

FINRA: AML - Retail: Exploring New Risks

Scenarios address challenges in customer identification procedures when the new client is a friend or acquaintance, or a politically exposed person; and appropriate courses of action for a representative who unknowingly becomes involved in questionable transactions.

FINRA: AML - Retail: More Key Issues

The scenarios in this course aim to help registered representatives identify unusual activity in customer accounts that could indicate potential money laundering, and identify what steps to take when such suspicion arises.



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FINRA: AML - Retail: Recognizing and Escalating Suspicious Activity

Scenarios address customer identification and suspicious activity monitoring in different account opening situations—with a new client, a new account for a long-term client, and a non-U.S. customer.

FINRA: AML - Retail: Recognizing Red Flags

Scenarios cover customer identification program requirements for new accounts with a referred customer, and emphasize the importance of knowing your customer and the nature of the customer’s business when monitoring an account.

FINRA: AML - Retail: Understanding Your Compliance Obligations

In this course, scenarios highlight risks retail firms and registered representatives face when handling unusual account activity and expediting the account-opening process.

FINRA: AML - Retail: Understanding Your Role - Vol. 1 – NEW!

In this course, scenarios help registered representatives identify unusual activity in customer accounts that could indicate potential money laundering, and identify steps to take when such suspicion arises.

FINRA: AML - Retail: Variable Annuities and Variable Life Insurance

Scenarios demonstrate how to detect methods money launderers may use to exploit provisions in variable annuities and variable life insurance contracts—including the loan provision, free-look provision and gifting—in order to prevent money-laundering activity.

FINRA: AML - Retail: Your Role in Detecting and Deterring Money-Laundering Activity

Scenarios demonstrate the need to detect and report suspicious activity. Firms are required to report a broad range of suspicious activities even if they do not have actual knowledge that a transaction involves criminal activity.

FINRA: Annual Compliance Reminders for Registered Representatives - Vol. 1

This course uses scenarios adapted from actual disciplinary actions to remind registered representatives about their compliance obligations. Volume 1 covers outside business activities, private securities transactions, Form U4 disclosures, responding to compliance requests, providing accurate customer information, customer complaints and settlements, email, handling customer and firm funds, trade authorizations and conflicts of interest related to borrowing money from customers.


This course uses scenarios adapted from actual FINRA disciplinary actions to remind registered representatives about their compliance obligations. Volume 2 covers social media and public communications, trade authorizations, Form U4 disclosures, outside business activities, private securities transactions, handling customer funds related to borrowing money from customers, and maintaining ethical behavior when fulfilling continuing education requirements.


This course uses scenarios adapted from actual FINRA disciplinary actions to remind registered representatives about their compliance obligations. Volume 3 covers communications with the public, suitability, ethical behavior and more.

FINRA: Annual Compliance Reminders for Registered Representatives - Vol. 4 - NEW!

This course uses scenarios adapted from actual FINRA disciplinary actions to remind registered representatives about their compliance obligations. Volume 4 covers handling customer accounts and funds properly, unauthorized transactions, outside business activities, suitability and more.



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Annuities: FINRA Rule 2330 – UPDATED!

This course provides an overview of the requirements of FINRA Rule 2330 with regard to suitability of variable annuities. The course includes discussion on determining suitability, principal review, firm supervisory procedures and training requirements.

Annuity Suitability: Customer Perspective – UPDATED!

This course looks at annuity suitability from the customer’s perspective. It answers the question, “What should a consumer know in order to make an informed annuity transaction decision?” and presents the information that customers should understand before a product is placed.

Annuity Suitability: Practice – UPDATED!

This course presents ideas that can help registered representatives integrate suitability standards into their annuity marketing and sales activity. This course reviews the annuity suitability regulations by reviewing compliance requirements for anyone who markets and sells their products. The course will assist registered representatives in complying with company and firm annuity suitability procedures. The material presented in this course is intended to reinforce, not to replace, a firm’s compliance policies and procedures.

Annuity Suitability: Practice and Disclosure

This course examines the regulatory framework and guidelines that support suitable annuity recommendations and sales. It discusses the criteria by which annuity suitability is measured and how to form the basis for an annuity suitability assessment as well as how to apply the principles of a needs-based selling approach to annuity placements.

Basic 401(k) Plans – UPDATED!

This course provides an overview of 401(k) plans including the parties involved, the contribution types and annual limits that apply to contributions, investment vehicles available to 401(k) plans, eligibility and vesting requirements. It discusses the required forms, when distributions are permitted or required and the tax consequences. It examines the participant loan rules, plan document requirements, summary plan descriptions, form 5500, and the summary annual report. The course concludes with discussion on the financial professional’s role during a plan conversion.

Basic Features of the Variable Annuity

This course focuses on the basic features of a variable annuity. It will cover the variable annuity's tax-deferred nature, death benefit options, options for annuitization, fees and expenses commonly imposed and common variable annuity provisions and options.

Basics of Retirement Planning – UPDATED!

This course focuses on the basics of developing a retirement plan. A sound plan defines the retirement need through quantitative as well as qualitative data and analysis. It offers a step-by-step approach that is intended to establish assumptions and goals for a basic retirement plan; provides tools to determine a future annual income need and the capital required to produce that income; and estimate the annual savings needed to meet the future capital and income goal.

FINRA: Books and Records

This course explains the obligations of registered persons to maintain records of actions undertaken in their capacity as representatives of the firm. Scenarios illustrate and reinforce compliance with recordkeeping and retention requirements when electronic media are involved

Business Gifts and Entertainment –NEW!

This course offers the registered representative guidance on business gifts and entertainment limits and the rules surrounding the tracking and reporting of these activities.



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Case Studies in Ethics – NEW!

This course reviews a series of FINRA disciplinary actions against registered representatives that illustrate the consequences of violating FINRA and/or firm rules, regulations, requirements and policies; specifically those citing a violation of the Standards of Commercial Honor and Principles of Trade.

Client Data Protection – NEW!

This course helps the registered representative to understand the importance of, and the procedures to, protect sensitive client data, how to identify potential breaches in information security and how to proceed if this confidential information is compromised. This course also examines a variety of types of cyber-attacks and the importance of understanding your firms’ policies, procedures and controls to protect sensitive customer data and reporting of the suspicious online activity and threats to data integrity.

FINRA: Communications with the Public: What Retail Staff Need to Know

This course covers situations retail registered representatives face when communicating with clients, and the consequences of non-compliance with requirements for approval, disclosure and retention of communications with the public.

Communicating Effectively with Senior Clients

This course covers the elements of communicating effectively with senior clients and how to gain and address the information that is most important to this generation. It reviews some facts about physical and mental changes in the elderly and highlights various red flags that may indicate diminished cognitive ability. It also addresses the practical side of presentation style and how to adapt an already successful approach for older clients. The course will help you to understand special physical, psychological and cognitive challenges older clients face as they age; list the red flags that indicate a client may be suffering from cognitive impairment; learn how to properly frame questions and adapt your presentation style to improve comprehension and understand how to change your office to accommodate senior clients’ needs.

Communications with the Public – NEW!

This course provides a review of the Communications with the Public rules and how they impact the day-to-day business of a registered representative. The course includes examples of each type of communication as detailed by FINRA.

Compliance Highlights – NEW!

This course is a compilation of the regulatory events and rules that impact the manner in which a registered representative is expected to conduct his day-to-day business dealings with his or her clients. It is not all inclusive of the regulatory landscape but rather highlights those items that directly impact a registered representative.

Components of Financial Planning

This course takes a broad look at the concept of financial planning, reviews the process of developing a financial plan, and explains how the individual parts of a comprehensive plan relate to the process as a whole.

Conflicts of Interest – NEW!

This course describes how conflicts of interest can arise in the course of a registered representative's business, how to avoid these situations and how to address a conflict of interest once it has been identified.

FINRA: Corporate and Government Bonds: Regulatory Considerations – NEW!

This course addresses some of the inherent risks associated with corporate and government bonds, including Treasury, agency and government-sponsored enterprise (GSE) bonds. It is designed to help you better understand risks, sales practice issues, rules and regulations related to these bonds.



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FINRA: Customer Information Protection for Registered Representatives

This course covers concepts to help registered representatives understand procedures for protecting confidential personal customer information and detecting possible breaches in information security. It provides suggestions for what to do if customer information is compromised and steps to take to better protect this information.

FINRA: Customer Information Protection for Supervisors

This course covers concepts to help supervisors implement firm procedures for protecting confidential personal customer information and detecting possible breaches in information security. It provides suggestions for what to do if customer information is compromised and steps to take to better protect this information.

Design and Function of Variable Annuities

This course examines the basic design of the variable annuity: how the contract is structured, how premiums are invested, and how the contract’s values are determined.

Estate Planning and Wealth Transitioning

This course examines the basic goals of estate planning and the importance of minimizing federal estate and gift taxes. It also examines several estate planning tools that can help clients achieve their estate planning objectives as well as the role a financial service professional plays in the estate planning process.

Ethical Decision Making Process

This course provides a decision-making model that can be applied in situations to ensure decisions are thoughtful, sound, ethical, and effective, particularly when dealing with senior clients.

Ethical Duties When Working with Senior Clients

This course explores the fiduciary duty that financial professionals owe to the clients they represent, including the heightened duties that are required when working with senior clients. It reviews specific steps financial professionals can take to enhance ethical behavior, how to lawfully use senior designations and credentials, and the importance of having a network of eldercare professionals to whom senior clients can turn for advice when additional expertise is needed.

Financial Planning: College

This course takes a close look at the specific goal your clients hope to successfully finance a child's higher education. In this course, we review all of the factors you should consider when planning for educational funding with your client.

Financial Planning: Retirement

This course examines the key points that must be addressed with your clients when planning their retirement. Retirement planning encompasses the essence of financial planning because it impacts both the current and future standard of living. A successful plan can also contribute significantly to a higher net worth. In developing retirement funding targets, careful planning is required. Such planning should encompass budgets, taxes, and investments.

Financial Planning: The Estate

This course provides the basics of estate planning, including a review of wills, trusts and business ownership.

FINRA: Debt Mark-Ups

This course covers rules and regulatory guidance surrounding the identification of prevailing market price and the factors to consider when determining mark-ups on transactions in debt securities.

FINRA: Electronic Communications: What Retail Staff Need to Know

This course helps retail registered representatives understand the requirements applicable to all communications with the public and shows how regulatory standards apply to social media and other electronic communications.



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FINRA: Electronic Communications: What Supervisors Need to Know

This course helps supervisors understand their responsibilities with respect to electronic communications. It shows how regulatory standards apply to social media and other electronic communications.

FINRA: Ethical Considerations for Registered Representatives

This course presents six common ethical principles and selected decision-making models for registered representatives to consider when facing ethical dilemmas. Scenarios demonstrate how these models can be practically applied to common ethical challenges faced by securities professionals.

FINRA: Ethical Considerations for Supervisors

This course presents six common ethical principles and selected decision-making models for supervisors to consider when facing ethical dilemmas. Scenarios demonstrate how these models can be practically applied to common ethical challenges faced by securities professionals.

FINRA: Exchange Traded Products: Understanding Leveraged and Inverse ETPs

This course explains exchange-traded products (ETPs), with a particular focus on leveraged and inverse ETPs. It describes the factors that can affect the performance of these products, including the effect of compounding on daily reset, and identifies the benefits and risks of investing in these non-traditional ETPs.

Fixed Annuities: Using the Annuity for Income

This course examines how a fixed annuity is designed to produce income. It will discuss the concept of annuitization and how it works, the options for annuitization, the benefits and drawbacks as well as alternatives to annuitization.

FINRA: Fixed Income Suitability: Retail Sales Practices

This course reviews fixed income product characteristics and risk factors, and illustrates the unique suitability considerations and regulatory subtleties associated with the sale of these securities.

FINRA: Gifts: Registered Representatives Responsibilities

This course presents regulatory requirements and industry compliance practices related to business gifts to help you understand your role as a registered representative in complying with FINRA rules. Scenarios demonstrate how to determine whether gifts are business-related, and illustrate proper gift-aggregation and recordkeeping techniques.

FINRA: Gifts: Understanding Supervisory Responsibilities

This course presents regulatory requirements and industry compliance practices related to business gifts to help you understand your role as a supervisor in complying with FINRA rules. Scenarios demonstrate how to determine whether gifts are business-related, and illustrate proper gift-aggregation and recordkeeping techniques.

FINRA: Hedge Funds: Understanding Sales Practice Responsibilities

This course explains a registered representative’s sales practice obligations when recommending hedge funds and/or funds of hedge funds to retail investors. Scenarios reinforce the importance of balanced disclosure in sales efforts and illustrate customer-specific suitability determinations.

How Tax Deferred Annuities Work

This course reviews the working parts of the tax-deferred annuity and how each attribute of the contract is interrelated. With the increase of new products and the enhanced planning applications they offer, the financial professional must be fully acquainted with the structural workings of the annuity and how to maximize benefits for individual clients. The course discusses the contract responsibilities and the various options for premium deposits and income settlements. The final section of the course addresses the important issue of taxation.



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Indexed Products: Suitability and Marketing

This course examines the requirement for determining suitability in the sale of indexed products and considers the information needed to perform a suitability analysis.

Key Components of Ethical Decision Making

This course examines the foundation upon which an ethical decision is built—ethical principles—and what supports it—the Six Pillars of Character.

Know Your Customer and Suitability Requirements – NEW!

This course provides an overview of the requirements that every registered representative know their customer and that all products, services, recommendations and strategies are suitable for the client.

FINRA: Life of an Equity Trade

This course provides an overview of the equity trading process. It describes the path of an equity trade from order through entry, execution and settlement. It also highlights several important equity trading rules.

FINRA: MSRB Supervision Rules

Under the rules of the Municipal Securities Rulemaking Board (MSRB), firms must supervise their municipal securities business. This course provides an overview of municipal securities supervision requirements.

Money Laundering: Prevention and Detection - NEW!

This course provides an overview of the elements of money laundering, recommendations on how to prevent money laundering and a review of disciplinary actions to illustrate the potential consequences of engaging in money laundering activities.

FINRA: Municipal Bonds: Regulatory Considerations – NEW!

This course addresses some of the inherent risks associated with municipal bonds. It is designed to help you better understand risks, sales practice issues, rules and regulations related to these bonds.

Obstacles to Ethical Decision Making

This course reviews common barriers to ethical decision making and how to avoid them. The barriers include rationalizations, lack of critical thinking, mental traps and lack of emotional intelligence.

FINRA: Outside Business Activities

This course covers regulations governing the treatment of outside business activities and reviews factors a registered representative should consider before participating in an outside business activity or conducting a private securities transaction.

Outside Business Activities and Accounts – NEW!

This course walks a registered representative through identifying and reporting outside business activities and the requirement steps to take when participating in personal securities transactions.

Overview of Complex Products - NEW!

This course examines complex products including securities or investment strategies with novel, complicated or intricate derivative-like features. The course reviews structured notes, inverse or leveraged exchange-traded funds, hedge funds and asset-backed securities. The course also discusses the characteristics of the products that qualify it as complex and its risks.



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FINRA: Penny Stock Sales

This course explains the penny stock rules and a registered representative’s sales practice obligations when recommending penny stocks. Scenarios reinforce the importance of disclosure and customer-specific suitability determinations.

FINRA: Private Placements: Conducting Reasonable Investigations for Regulation D Offerings

This course uses case studies adapted from FINRA enforcement actions to illustrate the duty to conduct reasonable investigations concerning Regulation D offerings. It covers the use of private placements as a source of capital and sales practice abuses that can occur with such securities.

FINRA: Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs): Regulatory Considerations – NEW!

This course is designed to help you better understand risks, sales practice issues, rules and regulations related to Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs). It addresses some of the features and benefits of these products, as well as the regulatory implications that apply when selling them.

Required Recordkeeping – NEW!

This course provides a review of the requirements to make and retain accurate books and records. The course includes illustrations of the consequences of failing to comply with these requirements based on disciplinary actions.

FINRA: Retail Branch Office Supervision: Compliance with Regulations – UPDATED!

Focusing on retail branch offices, this course reviews key supervisory obligations. Participants review topics on the supervision of sales practices and the consequences of failing to adequately supervise.

FINRA: Retail Branch Office Supervision: Understanding Supervisory Responsibilities

This course covers the regulatory and compliance obligations of retail branch office managers and supervisors. Scenarios address hiring practices, monitoring of sales activity and communications, and delegation—and the consequences of not fulfilling supervisory obligations.

FINRA: Retail Supervision: Sales to Senior Investors – UPDATED!

This course reviews the supervisory obligations of retail broker-dealers. Participants review scenarios involving suitability analyses and supervisory challenges relating to sales seminars, designations and suitability of products geared toward senior investors.

Retirement Distribution Planning - UPDATED!

This course looks at how the retirement arena has changed in recent years. it examines why the emphasis among a large segment of the population has now shifted to the distribution phase of retirement. It also discusses the strategies that can be used to maximize income during this life stage.

Retirement Income Planning

This course provides a systematic approach to retirement income planning including estimating retirement income needs, assessing sources of retirement income, quantifying annual income draw, categorizing assets and creating structure for income distribution and monitoring income flow and concluding with a plan review.

Retirement Rollovers and Conversions – UPDATED!

This course will explain the rollover options available to people who receive distributions from their qualified plans, both at retirement and long before they need them or are ready to put these funds to work. It will examine how rollovers work and the advantages they offer. It will also look at how traditional IRAs and qualified plans can be converted into Roth IRAs, and the reasons why clients may want to transfer funds into this retirement savings vehicle.



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Retirement: Multigenerational Distribution – UPDATED!

This course considers two multi-generational distribution strategies that clients can use when they have considerable wealth in qualified retirement plan accounts and want to pass such assets to heirs. It examines how irrevocable life insurance trusts can be used to create new wealth and avoid estate taxation. Additionally, the course looks at a distribution technique called a stretch IRA, which can help heirs take withdrawals over a longer period and dramatically increase the lifetime payout they receive.

FINRA: Senior Investor Issues: Diminished Decisional Capacity

This course consolidates the insights and research of leading academic, medical and legal professionals, psychologists and organizations on the topic of diminished decisional capacity. It provides information that registered representatives may find useful for identifying, working with and responding to senior investors or other customers with potential diminished—or diminishing—decisional capacity.

Senior Investors: Use of Senior Designations - NEW!

This course focuses on communication with senior investors and the use of professional designations indicating a specialty or expertise in working with senior clients.

Social Media in the Business Arena – NEW!

This course is designed to help financial services professionals understand when the use of social media networks such as FaceBook, Twitter and LinkedIn constitute communications with the public and how their use of these networks are required to be monitored by their firms.

FINRA: Suitability and Know Your Customer Obligations: FINRA Rules 2111 and 2090

This course demonstrates the key requirements of FINRA’s suitability and know your customer rules, and specific obligations of firms and associate persons under those rules.

Suitability of Variable Annuities

This course examines the suitability issues and standards that apply to the recommendation and sale of variable annuities. It covers the suitability concerns associated with variable annuities, the regulatory framework and guidelines that support the suitability of variable annuity sales, the criteria by which variable annuity suitability is measured, how to form a basis for a variable annuity suitability assessment and how to apply the principles of a needs-based selling approach to variable annuity placement.

FINRA: Supervision: FINRA Rules 3110, 3120, 3150 and 3170 – NEW!

This course demonstrates the key requirements of FINRA’s supervision rules, and the specific obligations of firms and associated persons under those rules.

Taxation of Fixed Annuities

This course examines the taxation of annuities and covers how annuities are taxed during accumulation, upon withdrawal, upon annuitization and at death. It discusses the basic principles of annuity taxation, how annuity income and withdrawals are taxed, and the concept of the exclusion ration, the tax consequences of an annuity’s death benefit for the contract’s beneficiary, the basics of 1035 exchanges and how a fixed annuity can be used for qualified fund rollovers.

Taxation of Variable Annuities

This course examines how variable annuities are taxed at all phases: during accumulation, upon withdrawal, upon annuitization, and at death. It covers the basic principle of annuity taxation, how annuity income and withdrawals are taxed, the concept of the exclusion ration, the tax consequences of a variable annuity's death benefit for the contract's beneficiary, how a variable annuity can be used for qualified rollovers and the basics of 1035 exchanges.



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Traditional and Roth IRA Accounts – UPDATED!

This course provides an overview of traditional and Roth Individual Retirement Accounts (IRAs). It includes discussion on investment considerations, transfers and rollovers, withdrawals, loans and distributions.

FINRA: Understanding Commodity Futures-Linked Securities

This course explains commodity futures-linked securities and the factors that can affect the performance of these products.

FINRA: Understanding Retail Structured Products

This course explains the basics of retail structured products as an investment class. It also describes the features of some of their more common forms and related risks associated with them.

FINRA: Understanding Social Media for Retail Registered Representatives

This course helps registered representatives understand the requirements that apply when using social media for business communications with the public. It also shows how regulatory standards apply to the use of social media.

Understanding Social Security Retirement

This course provides an overview of social security retirement benefits including benefit amounts, earnings limitations, taxation and the process for applying for benefits.

Understanding the Compliance Obligations of a Supervisor – NEW!

This course discusses the compliance obligations and regulatory requirements mandated by FINRA rules. The course includes discussion on Written Supervisory Procedures, Supervisory Review of transactions, correspondence and customer accounts, inspection requirements and other items as dictated by FINRA Regulatory Notice 14-10.

FINRA: Use of Social Media for Business Purposes

This course is designed to help registered representatives and other industry professionals understand how to comply with the regulatory requirements relating to the use of social media, such as stock blog postings, Facebook status updates, “tweets” and more.

Using Life Insurance to Help Fund Retirement

This course provides an overview of various types of life insurance policies and settlement options that may help clients fund their retirement.

FINRA: Variable Annuities: Regulatory Implications – NEW!

This course is designed to help you better understand risks, sales practice issues, rules and regulations related to variable annuities. It addresses some of the features and benefits of these products as well as the regulatory implications that apply when selling them.

FINRA: Variable Annuities: Sales and Practice Issues for 1035 Exchanges

This course explains 1035 exchanges and suitability factors that must be considered before recommending an exchange. Scenarios reinforce suitability considerations, mandatory disclosure requirements and the consequences of failing to meet 1035 exchange requirements.

FINRA: Variable Annuities: Suitability and Disclosure of New Purchases

This course explains variable annuities and the unique suitability factors that must be considered before recommending this complex investment product. Scenarios lead participants through suitability determinations based on a customer’s financial situation and investment objectives.



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Variable Annuity GLB Riders

This course examines the most popular living benefit riders and describes the guaranteed living benefit riders commonly available to today's variable annuity purchasers, explains the purpose and function of each option and recognizes the benefits and limitations each offer.

Variable Annuity Income Options

This course discusses how a variable annuity is designed to produce income. It covers the concept of annuitization, the difference between fixed and variable annuitization, how variable annuitization works, why variable income is subject to fluctuation and alternatives to annuitization.

Variable Annuity Investment Options

This course examines a wide variety of the investment options available to variable annuity owners including investment subaccount options, common investment strategies and the need to match the variable annuity owner's objectives, risk tolerance and timeline to his or her investments.

WHOLESALE

FINRA: AML - Wholesalers: More Key Issues

The scenarios in this course aim to help wholesaler registered representatives identify unusual activity in customer accounts that could indicate potential money laundering, and identify what steps to take when such suspicion arises.

FINRA: AML - Wholesalers: Understanding Your Compliance Obligations

In this course, scenarios highlight risks wholesale firms and registered representatives face when handling unusual account activity and expediting the account opening process.

FINRA: AML - Wholesalers: Your Role in Detecting and Deterring Money-Laundering Activity

Brief scenarios demonstrate the need to detect and report suspicious activity. If you see something, say something—even if you don’t work directly with individual customers. Firms are required to report a broad range of suspicious activities even if they do not have actual knowledge that a transaction involves criminal activity.

FINRA: Communications with the Public: Compliance Issues for Wholesalers

This course is designed to help wholesalers understand their compliance responsibilities. It covers the consequences of noncompliance with requirements for communications with the public.

FINRA: Electronic Communications: What Wholesalers Need to Know

This course helps wholesalers understand their compliance responsibilities with respect to electronic communications. It shows how regulatory standards apply to social media and other electronic communications.

FINRA: Gifts: Understanding Wholesaler Responsibilities

This course presents regulatory requirements and industry compliance practices related to business gifts to help you understand your role as a wholesaler in complying with FINRA rules. Brief interactive activities and scenarios demonstrate how to determine whether gifts are business-related, and illustrate proper gift aggregation and recordkeeping techniques.

FINRA: Outside Business Activities for Wholesalers

This course covers regulations governing the treatment of outside business activities and reviews factors registered wholesalers—who are required to know and follow FINRA rules as well as firm policies and procedures governing outside business activities—should consider before participating in an outside business activity or conducting a private securities transaction.


Documents

Firm Element Course Catalog - Training | WebCE · Understanding Your Role - Vol. 1 ... FINRA: Private Placements: Conducting Reasonable Investigations for Regulation D Offerings