How To Master Supervision Of Investment Banking On The Series 24 Exam
and Become a General Securities Principal
One of the keys to passing the series 24 exam is to make sure that you have a complete understanding of how supervision of investment banking will be tested on the Series 24 Exam. This article which was produced from material contained in our series 24 textbook and will help you master the material so that you pass the series 24 exam.
Review of Underwriting Agreements by FINRA
All underwriting agreements must be submitted to FINRA’s Corporate Finance Department for review, no later than 3 business days after the filing of any registration with the SEC or with any state regulator. If the offering is not required to be filed at either the federal or state level, the agreement must be filed with FINRA at least 15 business days prior to the anticipated offering date. In most cases, the agreement is submitted by the managing underwriter. FINRA will review the maximum total compensation to the underwriters to ensure that the underwriter’s compensation is fair and reasonable in light of the size and complexity of the offering. The submission must include:
- The maximum offering price
- The maximum underwriter’s discount
- The maximum estimated reimbursement for underwriter’s expenses
Underwriter’s Compensation
The largest percentage of the underwriter’s compensation will come in the form of the underwriter’s discount. Other items received by the syndicate will also be considered compensation such as:
- Reimbursement of cost usually not borne by the issuer
- Options, rights, or warrants
- Shares of the issuer
- Finder’s fees reimbursed by the issuer
Expenses that are not considered when looking at the underwriter’s compensation would be:
The applicant is not required to provide information regarding:
- Printing Costs
- Accounting Fees
- Blue Sky Fees
TAKE NOTE!
If the securities are being sold for a member firm, then the member firm that is the issuer is required to file the underwriting agreement with FINRA.
The following are all exempt from the filing of the underwriting agreement with the Corporate Finance Department:
- U S Government securities
- Municipal securities
- Redeemable investment company shares
- Variable contracts
- Private placements