MAY AN INVESTMENT ADVISER REP MAKE POLITICAL CONTRIBUTIONS TO GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS? YES BUT BEWARE . . .
SEC Rule 206(4)-5 bars investment adviser reps from taking compensation for advisory services for a period of two years following the making of a contribution to any political candidate who has the power to award or influence the awarding of government advisory business to the rep or investment adviser.
Rule 206(4)-5 does not prohibit the giving of investment advice but only the receiving of compensation for that advice and for a two-year period.
NASAA's Content Outline for the Series 66 covers Political Contributions in Section IV (H) (4). This means that the Series 66 candidate can expect to see questions on political contributions on the test.
Bob Eder discusses political contributions in his Study for the Series 66 Exam on pages 269-271. Here is a sample of his treatment:
"Political
Contributions IV(H)(4)
To
address the problem of investment advisers making political contributions or
donations or gifts to public or elected officials for the purpose of winning
government advisory business, Rule 206(4)-5 of the Investment Advisers Act bars
such advisers from accepting compensation for government advisory services for
a period of two years. This rule applies to advisers registered, or required to
be registered, with the SEC. It also applies to advisers who are exempt from
SEC registration because they deal with a small number of clients or venture
capital funds. The SEC makes clear that what the rule bars is receiving and/or
taking compensation for the period of two years."
Here is the link to NASAA's Content Outline and Test Specifications for the Series 66 exam. See Section IV (H) (4) on Political Contributions.
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