Free Practice Questions for FINRA Series-63 Exam

Most individual state securities laws continue to be based on the 1956 Uniform Securities Act. Although the Uniform Securities Act was revised in 1985, 1988, and 2002, none of these revisions have been widely incorporated by the individual states. The National Securities Markets Improvement Act of 1996 dealt mainly with the definition of federal covered securities and more efficient management of mutual funds. The focus of the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act of 1999 was on financial institutions.

The scenarios described in Selections II and III only would be prohibited. Five S&P 500 Index mutual funds, even if offered by different fund families, all have the same investment objective-duplicating the returns earned on the S&P 500 Index, and they will be invested in very similar stocks. Therefore, the client is getting little or no more diversification of risk by investing in five funds over investing in just one. The agent is just getting richer from more commissions. Encouraging a client to swap his money between two funds in the same family without informing the client that this creates a taxable event is not providing the client with “full and fair disclosure.” It may well be in the client’s best interest to make the switch, but he needs to be made aware of the tax consequences. It is not necessarily prohibited to sell a client shares of a load stock fund when a no load stock fund with the same investment objective exists as long as the agent believes that the load stock fund is a better investment for his client.

A security’s registration is valid for one year after the effective date, which is the date the Administrator approves the registration. If the entire issue has not been sold in this time frame, the offering may be renewed.

In advertising his services, Big Bo can list the names of the players he’s advising only if he has their written permission to do so. Under both NASAA Model Rules and the Investment Adviser Act of 1940, an investment adviser representative may not use client testimonials in their advertisements, regardless of whether the testimonials are willingly provided and uncompensated.

Based on the facts provided, Rich Quick need not register in Florida since he has no offices in the state of Florida, and he is conducting business for existing clients who are merely vacationing in Florida and are not residents of the state.

Under the NASAA Model Rules, the statue of limitations for civil liabilities is the earlier of two years after the discovery of facts and three years after the sale. This follows the recommendations provided by the Uniform Securities Act of 1956.

Only Selections I and II are examples of manipulation in the securities market. It is considered to be manipulation if one firm engages another firm to make a series of purchases and sales that will make it appear that there is very active trading in the security; it is also considered manipulation if a broker-dealer encourages its agents to solicit sales of a security in which it has a short position since that broker-dealer is hoping that the sales will drive the price of the security down, thereby making the firm’s position profitable. Although the offer to sell a client bonds at a much higher price than their market price is illegal, it is not an example of price manipulation.

Yes. The investors have a civil claim against George under the Uniform Securities Act and can sue for the return of their original investment, plus interest, reasonable attorneys’ fees, and court costs. There is no provision for pain and suffering. Partnership interests fall under the definition of securities, so the Uniform Securities Act does apply, and George sold the interests illegally. As securities, they were required to be registered with the state before they could be sold.

In order to maintain its registration with a state, a broker-dealer may be required to take a written or oral exam, pay an annual filing fee, maintain a minimum net capital, and file all advertising material with the state’s Administrator. The Administrator of each state has the authority to determine the specific requirements for the state. All of the selections are within the realm of the Administrator’s jurisdiction.

Finn has not violated any laws or engaged in any prohibited practices in using the words “Certified Financial Planner” on his business cards. Had he indicated he had been certified or approved by the state, he would have been in violation, but he is allowed to indicate a certification with a professional organization in any advertising literature.