Outside Business Activity Disclosure Form Best Practices

Outside Business Activity Disclosure Form Best Practices

When creating an outside business activity (“OBA”) disclosure form, it’s important to understand how FINRA defines an outside business activity and what information must be disclosed. Firms can request additional information however it is recommended that Firm’s ensure the required information is collected, reviewed and approved by the Firm’s designated principal. What is an Outside Business Activity? An outside business activity (“OBA”) is defined as a registered person acting as an “employee, independent contractor, sole proprietor, officer, director or partner of another person, or be compensated, or have the reasonable expectation of compensation, from any other person as a result Read more about Outside Business Activity Disclosure Form Best Practices[…]

Form U4 Disclosure Reporting Best Practices to Protect You and Your Firm

Form U4 Disclosure Reporting Best Practices to Protect You and Your Firm

The U4, also known as the Uniform Application for Securities Industry Registration or Transfer, is the primary source of information for a registered representative’s (also known as “broker”, “financial professional”, “financial advisors”) Central Registration Depository (CRD) or Investment Adviser Registration Depository (IARD) record. Both the firm and the registered representative can update Form U4, but it is ultimately the registered representative’s responsibility to make sure Form U4 is accurate and current. The U4 record, contains personally identifiable information about each applicant such as name, SSN, physical characteristics, address history, work experience, and education. In addition, the U4 also requires disclosure Read more about Form U4 Disclosure Reporting Best Practices to Protect You and Your Firm[…]

Registering as an Agent for a Broker-Dealer

Registering as an Agent for a Broker-Dealer

The USA defines an agent as any individual who represents a broker-dealer or an issuer in effecting or attempting to effect transactions in securities for their clients. Agents are individuals in a sales capacity who represent broker-dealers or issuers of securities. As agents, they act, usually on commission basis, on behalf of others. Agents are often referred to as registered representatives, whether sell registered securities or securities exempt from registration. The use of the term individual here is important. Only an individual, or a natural person, can be an agent. A corporation such as a brokerage firm is not a natural person, it is a legal entity. The brokerage firm is the legal person, or legal entity, the agent, a natural person, represents in securities transactions.

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FINRA Rule 3241: Registered Person as Customer’s Beneficiary

Challenges with Outside Business Activity Disclosures

An outside business activity (“OBA”) is defined as a registered person having any business activity outside the scope of the relationship with their member firm. As defined in FINRA Rule 3270, this may include acting as an employee, independent contractor, sole proprietor, officer, director, or partner for any other entities besides the member firm. Generally, the activity may also involve compensation or a reasonable expectation of compensation.

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Form U4

The Importance of Form U4 Disclosure Updates

Failure to timely update information on an individual form U4 may lead to potential fines and suspensions for a registered person, especially if the act is willful. Examinations and sweeps performed by FINRA generally reveal exceptions.

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