In this edition of Todd Talks, Todd Rosenfeld, Chief Learning Officer at STC, shares actionable best practices for implementing and managing FINRA Firm Element Continuing Education programs. Whether you’re in compliance, training, or senior management, these insights are designed to help you optimize your CE strategy.

Ready to enhance your Firm Element CE? Contact your STC Account Representative or Customer Success Manager for more details. Together, we’ll build a training program that aligns with your firm’s unique goals and ensures compliance.

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Join Todd Rosenfeld, Chief Learning Officer at Securities Training Corporation, as he unpacks the essentials of FINRA’s Firm Element Continuing Education (CE).

In this video, Todd dives into the Firm Element training requirements—what FINRA mandates for firms to ensure their team stays informed, compliant, and ethically grounded.

Key Takeaways:

• Firm Element Overview: Learn about the updates and how these impact compliance training, from AML integration to the expanded registration requirements.
• Annual Compliance Must-Haves: Understand the importance of an annual needs analysis, comprehensive training plans, and the critical record-keeping steps to maintain compliance.
• Ethics and Professional Responsibility: Todd emphasizes that Firm Element training isn’t sales-oriented but focused on ethical practices and up-to-date regulatory standards.
• Streamlined Training Solutions: Todd discusses how firms can tailor training to fit their business—wealth management, institutional sales, or investment banking.

This video is your roadmap to creating effective, compliant, and relevant Firm Element training. Catch Part Two for more on best practices!

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The post Todd Talks: FINRA Firm Element CE Part One appeared first on Securities Training Corporation.

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Continuing education is essential for Investment Adviser Representatives (IARs) to stay ahead in a constantly evolving industry, and choosing the right provider can make all the difference.

Since the Model Rule was enacted in 2022, we have dedicated ourselves to creating a top-notch IAR CE program. In this video, we discuss why STC should be your go-to choice for your Investment Adviser Representative Continuing Education (IAR CE).

The post Todd Talks: IAR CE Explained – Why STC is the Best appeared first on Securities Training Corporation.

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Welcome to another edition of Todd Talks! In this video, we dive into the Model Rule on Investment Adviser Representative Continuing Education (IAR CE) established by the North American Securities Administrators Association (NASAA), which has raised several inquiries.

Here is an outline of the key points to help you understand the current landscape of IAR CE requirements.

The post Todd Talks: IAR CE – Key Requirements appeared first on Securities Training Corporation.

Test-Taking Impact: 

• For students testing before Tuesday, May 28, questions influenced by transaction settlement should be answered using T + 2.
• For students testing on or after Tuesday, May 28, questions influenced by transaction settlement should be answered using T + 1. 

T + 1 Settlement and the Regulation T Payment Date 

T + 1 and the Ex-Dividend Date 

T + 1 and Options Exercise 

Are you prepared?

STC is holding an informative webinar on May 22 to help you understand the details of this rule change: register here.

The post Todd Talks: 2024 Settlement Update – The Change to T+1  appeared first on Securities Training Corporation.

Todd Rosenfeld, Chief Learning Officer at STC, discusses Firm Element.

We make Securities Continuing Education (Firm Element) easy. With SCORM-wrapped courseware, you can deploy training on your own LMS.

The post Todd Talks: Updates on FINRA Firm Element CE appeared first on Securities Training Corporation.

If you’re registered as an investment advisor representative (IAR), you’ll want to be aware of your CE requirements. Some changes went into effect for 2023. Here are those updates:

• New IAR CE Requirements in 8 States – As you may know, in 2022 there were three states that approved IAR CE: Vermont, Maryland and Mississippi. I’m excited to say that in 2023 another eight states have been added: Arkansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Carolina, Washington D.C. and Wisconsin, making a total of eleven states that require IAR CE.
• Changes to the Minimum Passing Score – In 2022 the minimum passing score was 100%. You needed to answer all ten questions correctly in order to receive credit, and you had an unlimited number of attempts. In 2023 and going forward, the passing score has been reduced to 70%. You need to score at least seven of the ten questions correctly, and you get three attempts in order to receive the 70%. If you do not pass with 70% in three attempts, you’re automatically reenrolled, and you get another three attempts. You have to go through the course again, and that’s the disadvantage.STC has a unique feature of automatically reenrolling if you do not pass in the first three attempts. If you get a question wrong there are explanations that will help you review, so when you take the test the second or third time, you’ll have a better idea of what the correct answer is. That’s pretty exciting news, very well received by the industry.

• IAR CE in 2024 – Lastly, it’s important to note that if any states approve IAR CE in 2023, those requirements will not be effective until 2024.

The post Todd Talks: 2023 Changes to IAR CE Requirements appeared first on Securities Training Corporation.

Todd Rosenfeld, Chief Learning Officer at STC, discusses 2023 changes to Series 63, 65, and 66 exams.

Be assured that we have already made the changes and updated our content to our Series 63, Series 65, and Series 66 courses.

The post Todd Talks: 2023 Changes to Series 63, Series 65, and Series 66 NASAA Exams appeared first on Securities Training Corporation.

As you know, investment advisor representatives (IARs) are required to have 12 CE credits per year: six credits on ethics and professional responsibility, and six credits on products and practices. If you are dually licensed as a registered representative and an investment advisor representative and you complete the annual regulatory element CE, you’re only required to have six credits on ethics and professional responsibility. It’s important to know that any courses completed in 2022 cannot be taken in 2023 – you will not receive credit. Duplicate courses are not permitted.

Ethics and Professional Responsibility Courses in 2023

STC has a strong offering of courses for ethics and professional responsibility this year:

• Application of Regulation Best Interest (BI) – This course builds on last year’s course and has a lot of application and case studies regarding BI, which is really a strong focus for FINRA, the SEC and the states.
• ESG Disclosure Requirements – This course takes you through environmental, social, and governance (ESG) investing and opposition to it, as well as disclosure rules and an SEC rule proposal regarding ESG investments.
• Examining the SEC’s Marketing Rule – This course covers the important terms associated with “advertisements” introduced in the SEC’s Marketing Rule as well as the numerous exceptions and prohibitions. It also covers the use of testimonials, which are now allowed as long as there are proper disclosures.
• Ethical Concerns in a Rising Interest Rate Market – We’re all reading about what happens when interest rates rise. This course explores the responsibilities and ethical requirements of IARs in talking about that situation with their clientele.
• Ethical Considerations for Dually Registered Personnel – This course examines the multiple challenges and conflicts of interest that firms face if they’re dually registered as both a broker-dealer and investment adviser.
• Investment Advisers and Their Code of Ethics – This course examines SEC Rule 204A-1, which requires federally registered investment advisers to implement a code of ethics to articulate the ethical principles and conduct that are expected of their investment adviser representatives.

STC offers the 2023 Ethics and Professional Responsibility Courses as a 6-hour IAR CE Bundle and as individual courses, so you have the flexibility to train to meet your personal requirements. We also offer a 12-hour IAR CE Bundle for both ethics and products and practices courses.

Products and Practices Courses for 2023

We also have a strong offering for products and practices course this year:

• Digital Assets – This course focuses on cryptocurrencies, and it’s a good course to take if you or your staff are interested in learning more about some of the regulatory requirements, recent innovations and regulatory initiatives regarding digital assets, especially cryptocurrencies.
• Exchange-Traded Funds – The course provides a brief history of investment funds and how exchange-traded funds (ETFs) evolved from index mutual funds, and examines the characteristics, investment objectives, and risks associated with ETFs.
• Municipal Bond Basics – As tax rates increase municipal bonds are becoming more attractive again. This course examines the importance of municipal bonds and their types, and provides an overview of the tax implications of investing in municipal debt.
• Retirement Plans 2.0 – This course covers the retirement plan rule changes effective 2023 with the Secures Act 2.0 and the new dollar amount limitations for retirement plans under the Act.
• Variable Annuities 2.0 – This course takes an in-depth look at variable annuities, the contractual agreement between the owner and the insurance company, and the fundamental characteristics inherent in these contracts.
• Alternative Investments – This course explains the characteristics and risks of alternative investments, including, hedge funds, private equity, venture capital, private debt, REITs, infrastructure investments, and commodities, in the context of Modern Portfolio Theory.

That’s the exciting set of courses we have for 2023. We have a 12-hour bundle and two 6-hour bundles to make the decision-making easy for you to complete your IAR CE this year. You just choose a bundle, pay a discounted price and you will receive those courses in your home. View our course selection.

The post Todd Talks: New IAR CE Courses in 2023 appeared first on Securities Training Corporation.