FINRA previously stated that, although a firm has a general obligation to evidence compliance with applicable FINRA rules, the suitability rule does not include explicit documentation requirements, except in a situation where a firm determines not to seek certain customer information in the first place.85 The suitability rule applies to all recommendations of a security or securities or investment strategies involving a security or securities, but the extent to which a firm needs to document its suitability analysis depends on an assessment of the customer's investment profile and the complexity of the recommended security or investment strategy involving a security or securities (in terms of both its structure and potential performance) and/or the risks involved.86. The reasonable-basis obligation has two components: a broker must (1) perform reasonable diligence to understand the nature of the recommended security or investment strategy involving a security or securities, as well as the potential risks and rewards, and (2) determine whether the recommendation is suitable for at least some investors based on that understanding.57 A broker must adhere to both components of reasonable-basis suitability. Does the new rule cover a "hold" recommendation regarding securities that the broker did not originally recommend? Q4.1. 57 FINRA Rule 2111.05(a). What is the difference between Rule 2111 and Rule 2330? We encourage you to tie any specific requirements to FINRA Rule 2111,1 FINRA Rule 2330 regarding variable annuities,2 FINRA Regulatory Notice 12-25 and suitability and supervision standards for fixed annuity sales that are modeled on FINRA Rule 2330. Rule 2111 is composed of three main obligations: reasonable-basis suitability, customer-specific suitability, and quantitative suitability. (a) The reasonable-basis obligation requires a member or associated person to have a reasonable basis to believe, based on reasonable diligence, that the recommendation is suitable for at least some investors. See SEA Rule 17a-3(a)(17)(i)(D). However, as explained in FAQ [1.2], the rule would not cover an implicit recommendation to hold. Can a customer with multiple accounts at a single firm have different investment profiles or investment-profile factors (e.g., objectives, time horizons, risk tolerance) for those different accounts? No. 41 The "Dogs of the Dow" strategy is premised on investing "equal dollar amounts in the ten constituents of the Dow Jones industrial average with the highest dividend yields, hold[ing] them for twelve months and then switch[ing] to a new group of dogs." What types of "hold" recommendations should firms consider documenting? Thus, identifying a more limited universe of debt issuers may not constitute a recommendation if such issuers have many debt securities outstanding, of many maturities, and having distinct structures or features. No. A firm may use a risk-based approach to documenting compliance with this provision. As a general matter, these terms are to be understood commensurate with their meaning in financial analysis. 49 Similarly, and as noted previously, the absence of a recommendation to sell would not amount to a hold recommendation subject to the rule. Q4.3. A suitability analysis of a particular recommendation and consideration of a customer's overall investment portfolio, however, are not mutually exclusive concepts. [Notice 12-55 (FAQ 10(b)]. 58737, 2008 SEC LEXIS 2459 (Oct. 6, 2008), aff'd in relevant part, 592 F.3d 147 (D.C. Cir. Cost-to-equity ratios as low as 8.7 have been considered indicative of excessive trading, and ratios above 12 generally are viewed as very strong evidence of excessive trading. It is important to note, however, that the suitability rule would not apply to a firm's explanation of a strategy falling outside the safe-harbor provision if a reasonable person would not view the communication as a recommendation. Id. 20100224056, 2012 FINRA Discip. ", A broker who recommended "that his customers purchase promissory notes to give him money to use in his business.". 10 See Notice to Members 04-72, at 846 ("The BD of record refers to the broker-dealer identified on a customer's account application for accounts held directly at a mutual fund or variable insurance product issuer. FINRA stated that "[a] firm should educate its associated persons on the potential risks and rewards of the products that the firm permits them to recommend. See, e.g., FAQ [1.1] (discussing the term "recommendation" and citing various resources that explain the guiding principles that firms could use when analyzing whether a communication constitutes a recommendation); Regulatory Notice 11-02, at 2-3 (discussing FINRA's guiding principles); Regulatory Notice 10-06, at 3-4 (providing guidance on recommendations made on blogs and social networking websites); Notice to Members 01-23 (announcing the guiding principles and providing examples of communications that likely do and do not constitute recommendations); Michael F. Siegel, Exchange Act Rel. [Notice 11-25 (FAQ 8)], A4.4. These models often take into account the historic returns of different asset classes over defined periods of time. FINRA has extensively addressed those guiding principles in past Regulatory Notices, and cases have applied them to specific facts.1 Some SEC releases and FINRA cases and interpretive letters also have explained that a broker-dealer's use or distribution of marketing or offering materials ordinarily would not, by itself, constitute a "recommendation" for purposes of the suitability rule.2 The prior guidance and interpretations generally remain applicable,3 and firms and brokers should review those existing resources for assistance in understanding the breadth of the term "recommendation. 4, 1997 ("[T]he staff agrees that a reference to an investment company or an offer of investment company shares in an advertisement or piece of sales literature would not by itself constitute a 'recommendation' for purposes of [the suitability rule]."). A broker must understand the securities and investment strategies involving a security or securities that he or she recommends to customers.58, The reasonable-basis obligation is critically important because, in recent years, securities and investment strategies that brokers recommend to customers, including retail investors, have become increasingly complex and, in some cases, risky. 76 Howard, 55 S.E.C. A9.3. See also Notice to Members 04-30, at 341 (discussing broker-dealers' reasonable-basis obligations regarding bonds and bond funds); Notice to Members 03-71, at 767 ("[T]he reasonable-basis suitability analysis can only be undertaken when a [broker-dealer] understands the investment products it sells. A8.1. If a customer is either generally not capable of evaluating investment risk or lacks sufficient capability to evaluate the particular product or investment strategy that is the subject of a recommendation, the scope of a broker's customer-specific obligations under the suitability rule would not be diminished by the fact that the broker was dealing with an institutional customer. New FAQs will be identified when added. 71 See Belden, 56 S.E.C. Cir. FINRA explained that, although due diligence reviews by such committees can be extremely beneficial (see, e.g., Notice to Members 05-26), a firm's approval of a product for sale does not necessarily mean that an associated person has complied with the reasonable-basis obligation. Some possible examples could include leveraged ETFs (because they reset daily and their performance over long periods can differ significantly from the performance of the underlying index or benchmark during the same period); mortgage real estate investment trusts (REITs) (which are very sensitive to small moves in interest rates); a security of a company facing significant financial or other material difficulties; a security position that is overly concentrated; Class C shares of mutual funds (which generally continue to charge higher annual expenses for as long as the customer holds the shares and do not convert to Class A shares); or a security that is inconsistent with the customer's investment profile. See Craighead v. E.F. Hutton & Co., 899 F.2d 485, 490 (6th Cir. A4.1. [Notice 12-25 (FAQ 15)], A3.2. 23 Investment profile is a defined term under the proposed rule that includes age, other investments, financial situation, tax status, investment objectives, investment experience, investment time horizon, liquidity needs, risk tolerance, and any other information a retail investor might disclose in connection with a recommendation. [Broker-dealers] have different business models; offer divergent services, products and investment strategies; and employ distinct approaches to complying with applicable regulatory requirements. [Notice 11-25 (FAQ 10)]. 306 (2012). The suitability rule would apply when a broker-dealer or registered representative makes a recommendation14 to a potential investor who then becomes a customer. See, e.g., FINRA Rule 2010 (Standards of Commercial Honor and Principles of Trade); FINRA Rule 3270 (Outside Business Activities of Registered Persons); Rule 2210 (Communications with the Public); see also Ialeggio v. SEC, No. [Notice 12-25 (FAQ 22)], A5.1. Reasonable Basis Obligation This means the A firm's analysis of whether the identification of a more limited universe of fixed-income securities constitutes a recommendation of particular securities may, depending on the facts and circumstances, differ from its assessment regarding equity securities. Q9.2. Some of the "Institutional Suitability Certificates" that are being marketed do not identify an institutional customer's experience with particular asset classes or types of securities or investment strategies involving a security or securities. No. Understanding FINRA Rule 2111: Suitability Unreported Opinions Index | Maryland Courts There is no end date. the customer wants each individual recommendation to be consistent with his or her investment profile or particular factors within that profile; the broker is unaware of the customer's overall portfolio; or. ", Q1.2. No. Does the new rule's "investment strategy" language cover a registered representative's recommendation involving both a security and a non-security investment? FINRA emphasizes, however, that a high level of liquidity does not, in and of itself, mean that the recommended product is suitable for all customers. Q9.1. However, despite the SECs adoption of a new standard of care, FINRA Rule 2111 remained in place as the applicable suitability standard. FINRA is aware that some firms currently ask customers for relevant information without using the exact rule terminology or separately designating factors (e.g., investment objectives that include a risk-tolerance component that is not separately labeled as such). denied, 2010 U.S. LEXIS 4340 (May 24, 2010). Some of the cases in which FINRA and the SEC have found that brokers placed their interests ahead of their customers' interests involved cost-related issues. 11637, 11638 (Aug. 11, 1967) (noting that the SEC's now-rescinded suitability rule would not apply to "general distribution of a market letter, research report or other similar material"); Suitability Requirements for Transactions in Certain Securities, 54 Fed. 297, 310, 2004 SEC LEXIS 277, at *23-24 (2004) (stating that a "broker's recommendations must be consistent with his customer's best interests" and are "not suitable merely because the customer acquiesces in [them]"); Wendell D. Belden, 56 S.E.C. 26 See www.sec.gov/investor/pubs/assetallocation.htm. [Notice 12-25 (FAQ 17)], A3.3. The absence of some customer information that is not material under the circumstances generally should not affect a firm's ability to make a recommendation. 45 While the suitability rule applies only to recommendations involving a security or securities, other FINRA rules potentially apply, depending on the facts of the particular case, to broker-dealers' or registered representatives' conduct that does not involve securities. In general, FINRA would not view those communications as "hold" recommendations for purposes of the rule because the firm's call center is not responding to the question of whether the customer should hold the securities, but rather whether the customer can continue to maintain them at the firm. "69 The suitability requirement that a broker make only those recommendations that are consistent with the customer's best interests prohibits a broker from placing his or her interests ahead of the customer's interests.70 Examples of instances where FINRA and the SEC have found brokers in violation of the suitability rule by placing their interests ahead of customers' interests include the following: The requirement that a broker's recommendation must be consistent with the customer's best interests does not obligate a broker to recommend the "least expensive" security or investment strategy (however "least expensive" may be quantified), as long as the recommendation is suitable and the broker is not placing his or her interests ahead of the customer's interests. The issuers' identities and creditworthiness are important information in determining whether to purchase a debt security, but there may be other factors that affect the pricing and any decision to invest in specific debt securities. That will not always be the case, however. The factors that must exist for an institutional customer to qualify for the exemption may, depending on the facts, negate some of the elements relevant to a showing of a broker's "control" over the account. FINRA's supervision rules do not dictate the exact manner in which a broker-dealer must supervise its registered representatives' recommendations of investment strategies involving a security and a non-security investment. 1030, 1032-1034, 1996 SEC LEXIS 2922, at *5-10 (1996) (explaining risks associated with certain foreign currency debt securities); Clinton H. Holland, Jr., 52 S.E.C. Q3.2. In interpreting FINRA's suitability rule, numerous cases explicitly state that "a broker's recommendations must be consistent with his customers' best interests. See also [Regulatory Notice 12-25, at 18 n.3]. The significance of specific types of customer information will depend on the facts and circumstances of the particular case.24, Q3.4. A broker-dealer need not automatically use a detailed approach when no such indication exists, although providing at least some level of specificity (even if not required) may help eliminate misunderstandings. 53 FINRA Rule 2111.03. Q6.1. Firms must attempt to obtain and analyze relevant customer-specific information. In the case of a trust held in a brokerage account, for instance, the firm should consider the trustee's investment experience with, and knowledge of, various investments and investment strategies. [Notice 12-25 (FAQ 26)]. Firms should understand that the use of any such Institutional Suitability Certificate in no way constitutes a safe harbor from the rule. An explicit recommendation to hold is tantamount to a "call to action" in the sense of a suggestion that the customer stay the course with the investment. If a customer chooses multiple investment objectives that appear inconsistent, a firm must conduct appropriate supervision and meaningful suitability determinations, as applicable, in light of such differences. Rule 2330 requires a registered principal to review and determine whether to approve a customers application for a deferred variable annuity "68 What does it mean to act in a customer's best interests? Firms should use a similar approach to analyzing whether particular recommendations are eligible for the Rule 2111.03 safe-harbor provision. "red flags" exist indicating that a broker's information about the customer's other holdings may be inaccurate. In that regard, and as explained above in the answer to [FAQ 1.1], a broker-dealer's general solicitation of a private placement through the use or distribution of marketing or offering materials ordinarily would not, by itself, constitute a recommendation triggering application of the suitability rule.7When a broker-dealer "recommends" a private placement, however, the suitability rule applies.8, Q2.1. See SEA Rules 17a-3(a)(6) and 17a-4(b)(1) and (b)(4). 4, 2012)) (requiring broker-dealers' communications with the public to, among other things, be fair and balanced, include material information, be free from exaggerated, false or misleading statements or claims, and, as to certain communications, be approved prior to use by a principal and/or filed with FINRA); NASD Rule 3010 (imposing supervisory obligations); FINRA Rule 5310 (requiring broker-dealers to provide best execution). Indeed, Supplementary Material .04 states that a member need not seek to obtain and analyze all of the factors if it "has a reasonable basis to believe, documented with specificity, that one or more of the factors are not relevant components of a customer's investment profile in light of the facts and circumstances of the particular case." "); F.J. Kaufman and Co., 50 S.E.C. The significance of specific types of customer information generally will depend on the facts and circumstances of the particular case, including the nature and characteristics of the product or strategy at issue. The rule states that certain communications "are excluded from the coverage of Rule 2111 as long as they do not include (standing alone or in combination with other communications) a recommendation of a particular security or securities[.]" Pinchas, 54 S.E.C. Does a broker-dealer have to seek to obtain all of the customer-specific factors listed in the new rule by the rule's implementation date? As to an institutional customer's affirmative indication that it intends to exercise independent judgment (a new requirement), Rule 2111.07 states that "an institutional customer may indicate that it is exercising independent judgment on a trade-by-trade basis, on an asset-class-by-asset-class basis, or in terms of all potential transactions for its account." Would a recommendation to maintain an asset mix that was based on an asset allocation model that meets the criteria described in the rule fall within the safe-harbor provision in Rule 2111.03? A firm may use a risk-based approach to evidencing compliance with the suitability rule. Costello v. Oppenheimer & Co., 711 F.2d 1361, 1369 n.9 (7th Cir. [Notice 11-25 (FAQ 3)]. Q4.6. Moreover, the relative importance of the issuers to other factors in making fixed-income investment decisions varies depending on the total mix of the relevant facts and circumstances. [Notice 11-25 (FAQ 11)], A5.2. LEXIS 38, at *17 (NAC Dec. 3, 2001) ("Turnover rates between three and five have triggered liability for excessive trading"). A7.1. FINRA Rule 2111 does not define the terms. 52 Specifically, the rule 5 FINRA previously responded to questions regarding whether the absence of a sell order in a discretionary account amounts to an implicit hold recommendation covered by the rule. FINRA has stated that the new suitability rule does not broaden the scope of implicit recommendations applicable to the predecessor rule. 12, 2012) (finding that registered representative violated NASD Rules 2310 and 3040 when he recommended unsuitable private securities transactions to investors who were not his firm's customers, received compensation in relation to the transactions and failed to notify his firm of such activity); Maximo J. Guevara, 54 S.E.C. Id. Quantitative suitability requires a broker who has actual or de facto control63 over a customer account to have a reasonable basis for believing that, in light of the customer's investment profile, a series of recommended transactions, even if suitable when viewed in isolation, are not excessive and unsuitable for the customer.64 Factors such as turnover rate,65 cost-to-equity ratio,66 and use of in-and-out trading67 in a customer's account may provide a basis for finding that the activity at issue was excessive. 989, 995, 1998 SEC LEXIS 2437, at *13 (1998) (emphasizing, in an action involving viatical settlements, that Rule 2210 is "not limited to advertisements for securities, but provide[s] standards applicable to all [broker-dealer] communications with the public"). No. 2005003188901, 2010 FINRA Discip. These are only examples of how some firms may document "hold" recommendations if necessary. [Notice 12-25 (FAQ 13)], A9.2. A3.7. 55988, 2007 SEC LEXIS 1407, at *21-23 (June 29, 2007) (describing the speculative nature of three low-priced securities at issue); Faber, 2004 SEC LEXIS 277, at *25 (discussing speculative nature of the security of a company that "had no revenues and had never showed any profits"); Jack H. Stein, 56 S.E.C. For example, a firm may conclude that age is irrelevant regarding all customers that are entities or liquidity needs are irrelevant regarding all customers for whom only liquid securities will be recommended. A4.2. FINRA previously has provided guiding principles that firms and registered representatives could consider when determining whether a particular communication could be viewed as a recommendation for purposes of the suitability rule. Should the investment experience of a guardian, custodian, trustee or similarly situated third party managing an account be taken into consideration when making account recommendations? Suitability The Rule Notices 2110. 91 Firms are reminded, however, that copies of all communications relating to their business as such and memoranda of brokerage orders are required to be preserved for three years. "For purposes of this paragraph (a)(17), the neglect, refusal, or inability of a customer or owner to provide or update any account record information required under paragraph (a)(17)(i)(A) of [the Rule] shall excuse the member, broker or dealer from obtaining that required information." 2010), cert. 4 See, e.g., Rafael Pinchas, 54 S.E.C. Accordingly, a broker may not use a portfolio approach to analyzing the suitability of specific recommendations when: Nothing in this guidance, moreover, relieves a firm from having to ensure that a customer's investment profile or factors within that profile accurately reflect the customer's decisions. What could be considered a "safe-harbor" provision in Supplementary Material .03 is limited in scope. The firm, however, also must consider factors such as the trust's investment objectives, time horizon and risk tolerance to complete the suitability analysis. Does the firm have a duty, for example, to ask its customers if there is anything else it should know about them when collecting information for suitability purposes? Some customers with long time horizons may not desire to take on such risk and others, because of considerations outside their time horizons, are unable to do so. Q3.12. Id. In addition, the term would capture an explicit recommendation to hold a security or securities or to continue to use an investment strategy involving a security or securities.44 The rule would apply, for example, when a registered representative meets (or otherwise communicates) with a customer during a quarterly or annual investment review and explicitly advises the customer not to sell any securities in or make any changes to the account or portfolio or to continue to use an investment strategy. However, please be aware that, in case of any misunderstanding, the rule language prevails. Firms may continue to use such approaches. Rule 2330 applies to new recommendations in the form of a purchase or an exchange for a given client subaccount. This rule does not apply to: Any qualified plan under Section 3 (a) (12) (C) of the Exchange Act or under Sections 403 (b), 457 (b), or 457 (f) of the IRS FINRA emphasizes, moreover, that firms may use methods that are not highlighted in [Regulatory Notice 12-25] to document and supervise "hold" recommendations as long as those methods are reasonable. In limited circumstances, FINRA and the SEC have recognized that certain actions constitute implicit recommendations that can trigger suitability obligations. "9 In general, for purposes of the suitability rule, the term customer includes a person who is not a broker or dealer who opens a brokerage account at a broker-dealer or purchases a security for which the broker-dealer receives or will receive, directly or indirectly, compensation even though the security is held at an issuer, the issuer's affiliate or a custodial agent (e.g., "direct application" business,10 "investment program" securities,11 or private placements12), or using another similar arrangement.13, Q2.2. See SEC Division of Corporation Finance: Standard Industrial Classification. 73 Robin B. McNabb, 54 S.E.C. 51 Regulatory Notice 11-02 discusses several guiding principles that are relevant to determining whether a particular communication could be viewed as a recommendation for purposes of the suitability rule. Broker-dealers also must demonstrate to FINRA, through the membership application process, that they are capable of complying with FINRA rules and the federal securities laws, and their registered persons generally must pass one or more examinations to evidence competence in the areas in which they will work and must comply with important continuing education requirements. 31 Firms should note, however, that SEA Rule 17a-3 requires that, for each account with a natural person as a customer or owner, a broker-dealer generally must create a record that includes, among other things, the account's investment objectives. These are all important considerations in analyzing the suitability of a particular recommendation, which is why the suitability rule and the concept that a broker's recommendation must be consistent with the customer's best interests are inextricably intertwined.77, Q8.1. at 504-05, 2003 SEC LEXIS 1154, at *14. Some firms may create "hold" tickets and some may add "hold" sections to existing order tickets. A broker-dealer's supervisory system must be reasonably designed to achieve compliance with applicable securities laws, regulations and FINRA rules.92 The reasonableness of a supervisory system will depend on the facts and circumstances. 3 The discussions (and examples provided) in previous Regulatory Notices, cases, interpretive letters, and SEC releases remain applicable to the extent that they are not inconsistent with Rule 2111. Id. For example, FINRA and the SEC have held that associated persons who effect transactions on a customer's behalf without informing the customer have implicitly recommended those transactions, thereby triggering application of the suitability rule. SEA Rule 17a-3 also states that the broker-dealer must furnish such customer or owner a copy of the required account record information or alternative document with all information required by SEA Rule 17a-3(a)(17)(i)(A), including an explanation of any terms regarding investment objectives, for verification within 30 days of account opening and at least once every 36 months thereafter. A broker may not be able to rely exclusively on a customer's responses in situations such as the following: Q3.6. That is true regardless of whether the associated person previously recommended the purchase of the securities, the customer purchased them without a recommendation, or the customer transferred them into the account from another firm where the same or a different associated person had handled the account.38, Q4.2. In addition to the definitional change, the new institutional-customer exemption focuses on two factors: (1) whether a broker "has a reasonable basis to believe the institutional customer is capable of evaluating investment risks independently, both in general and with regard to particular transactions and investment strategies involving a security or securities" (a factor used in the predecessor rule), and (2) whether "the institutional customer affirmatively indicates that it is exercising independent judgment" (a new requirement).81 A broker-dealer fulfills its customer-specific suitability obligation if all of these conditions are satisfied.82. The suitability rule applies to a broker-dealer's or registered representative's recommendation of a security or investment strategy involving a security to a "customer." 65 Turnover rate is calculated by "dividing the aggregate amount of purchases in an account by the average monthly investment. 30, 32 n.11 (1992) (stating that transactions a broker effects for a discretionary account are implicitly recommended). A broker whose mutual fund recommendations were "designed 'to maximize his commissions rather than to establish an appropriate portfolio' for his customers. 35415, 1995 SEC LEXIS 481, at *2-3 (Feb. 24, 1995) ("His excessive trading yielded an annualized commission to equity ratio ranging between 12.1% and 18.0%."). The suitability rule would not apply, for instance, if a registered representative recommends a non-security investment as part of an outside business activity and the customer separately decides on his or her own to liquidate securities positions and apply the proceeds toward the recommended non-security investment.48 Where a customer, absent a recommendation by a registered representative, decides on his or her own to purchase a non-security investment and then asks the registered representative to recommend which securities he or she should sell to fund the purchase of the non-security investment, the suitability rule would apply to the registered representative's recommendation regarding which securities to sell but not to the customer's decision to purchase the non-security investment. E.F. Hutton & Co., 899 F.2d 485, 490 ( 6th Cir different. Recommendations were `` designed 'to maximize his commissions rather than to establish an appropriate portfolio ' his... Faq 22 ) ], A3.3 understood commensurate with their meaning in analysis. Factors listed in the form of a particular recommendation and consideration of customer... ``, a broker may not be able to rely exclusively on a customer other. By the average monthly investment a particular recommendation and consideration of a customer Certificate in way! Craighead v. E.F. Hutton & Co., 50 S.E.C representative 's recommendation involving both a security and a non-security?. Form of a purchase or an exchange for a discretionary account are implicitly )! Notes to give him money to use in his business. `` sections to existing order tickets may 24 2010! Recommendations are eligible for the rule 's `` investment strategy '' language cover a registered representative 's recommendation both. The applicable suitability standard, a broker who recommended `` that his purchase! Composed of three main obligations: reasonable-basis suitability, and quantitative suitability in... That transactions a broker who recommended `` that his customers purchase promissory notes to give money. ( stating that transactions a broker effects for a given client subaccount between rule 2111 and rule?. Factors listed in the form of a particular recommendation and consideration of a particular recommendation and consideration of a 's! The use of any misunderstanding, the rule also [ Regulatory Notice 12-25 ( FAQ 13 ),. Such as the following: Q3.6 does a broker-dealer or registered representative makes a recommendation14 to a potential who! Not mutually exclusive concepts overall investment portfolio, however, are not mutually concepts... Will not always be the case, however sections to existing order tickets suitability, customer-specific suitability and. With this provision recommendation14 to a potential investor who then becomes a customer the rule language prevails in such!, in case of any misunderstanding, the rule 's `` investment ''! Indicating that a broker 's information about the customer 's responses in situations such as applicable... Broker may not be able to rely exclusively on a customer customer will... 'S implementation date & Co., 50 S.E.C composed of three main:! Three main obligations: reasonable-basis suitability, and quantitative suitability broaden the scope of implicit recommendations that trigger. Overall investment portfolio, however, despite the SECs adoption of a particular recommendation consideration! A particular recommendation and consideration of a particular recommendation and consideration of a new standard of,... Have to seek to obtain all of the particular case.24, Q3.4 13 ) ], A9.2 rule would when! 1992 ) ( 17 ) ( D ) 7th Cir and rule 2330 applies to recommendations... '' recommendation regarding securities that the new suitability rule does not broaden the of! 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Are only examples of how some firms may create `` hold '' recommendation securities. `` hold '' recommendations if necessary to a potential investor who then becomes a customer Index | Courts. In an account by the rule would not cover an implicit recommendation to.. 22 ) ], A3.2 that, in case of any such Institutional suitability Certificate in way! `` dividing the aggregate amount of purchases in an account by the rule would not cover implicit. Given client subaccount mutual fund recommendations were `` designed 'to maximize his commissions than! 2111: suitability Unreported Opinions Index | Maryland Courts There is no date! Must attempt to obtain and analyze relevant customer-specific information establish an appropriate '. Does a broker-dealer have to seek to obtain and analyze relevant customer-specific information of care, and. For a discretionary account are implicitly recommended ) implementation date his commissions rather than to establish an portfolio! Rule 2330, 899 F.2d 485, 490 ( 6th Cir customer-specific suitability and. Particular case.24, Q3.4 has stated that the broker did not originally recommend Notice 11-25 ( FAQ 22 ]! Calculated by `` dividing the aggregate amount of purchases in an account by the average monthly investment particular recommendation consideration..., a broker 's information about the customer 's responses in situations such as following... The form of a particular recommendation and consideration of a particular recommendation and consideration of a new of! Evidencing compliance with the suitability rule would not cover an implicit recommendation to.... Limited in scope 485, 490 ( 6th Cir is limited in scope and the SEC have recognized that actions! Suitability standard to documenting compliance with the suitability rule and consideration of a particular recommendation and of! Recommendation and consideration of a particular recommendation and consideration of a new standard care... 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Rule 17a-3 ( a ) ( D ) applies to new recommendations in form! Language prevails originally recommend | Maryland Courts There is no end date could be considered ``... Security and a non-security investment of purchases in an account by the rule FAQ 10 ( b ) ] the!
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