Approved IAR CE Courses

It is an ethical requirement to know your customer and nowhere is that more important than whenthe market is behaving counter to client expectations'but perfectly in line with what you, as an investment adviser representative'expected. And while volatile markets are difficult markets, an informed client is more likely to be a happy client, even if the results are not what they wanted. Clients must understand that difficult markets are not only the ones in which they lose value'soaring markets must also be managed properly. There are two phases to helping your clients through volatile markets; the first is education to manageexpectations and foster an understanding of risk and the markets. The second is communication to keep them informed of the progress of their portfolios. Clients should be taught that, despite periods of devastating losses and unprecedented market growth, market history reveals that returns over time are relatively consistent. Ethical Guidance in Difficult Markets takes a historical view of the difficult markets in the United States and how the ethical principle of Know Your Customer, backed with education and consistent communication, can help you guide your clients through difficult economic times.

America is aging and firms are struggling to meet the needs of senior clients. Because advisers can help mitigate the potentially devastating financial impact of cognitive decline, regulators urgeinvestment advisers to develop specific procedures to recognize and formally respond to diminished capacity to prevent financial and personal abuse. Indeed, the ethical responsibility and capacity toto observe changes in and make judgments about senior investor behavior and ability places investment adviser representatives in a unique and challenging position. To protect vulnerable clients, IARs must demonstrate subject matter expertise, patience, empathy, vigilance, an understanding of how people age normally'and how to respond, escalate, and document when and IAR suspects a client with diminished capacity is becoming vulnerable. Notably, IARs are both obligated by law'and protected by law'to report their suspicions.This course, The Ethics of Recognizing Diminished Capacity, discusses the symptoms of diminished cognitive and financial capacity and how financial professionals must identify and mitigate any harm,thereby protecting the client, the adviser, and the firm. It identifies the most frequent types of suitability ...

Money laundering can have a devastating effect on the economic development and political stabilityof some countries as it supports some of the worst criminal activity in others. It represents one of themost pressing issues facing domestic and international financial markets and is a primary concern for regulatory authorities. This course is a two-part, two-credit course covering both thefundamentals of combating money laundering and the latest AML trends and developments.

Asset allocation is the process of determining the optimal allocations for the broad categories of assets (stocks, bonds, cash, and real estate) that match an investor's time horizon and risk tolerance. This course explains asset allocation and fundamental methods for determining a sound allocation, including suitability, developing an investor profile, formulas, and distributions. It coversthe concept of the efficient market hypothesis, a fundamental concept to the mechanics of asset allocation, as well as optimal portfolio theory and portfolio risk and correlation, two methods thatapply the central concepts in asset allocation to actual portfolio management.

Investment Adviser Representative: Counteract Sexual Harassment & Foster a Culture of Compliance is a two-part, two-credit course. It is designed for investment adviser representatives and supervisors who wish to work in and foster a firm culture of compliance that supports ethicaland legal behavior from a human and institutional perspective. Sexual harassment is a pervasive issue that every employer and employee must address. Part I discusses the rules and cases thatdefine sexual harassment. It describes the types and the subjective nature of sexual harassment law.Part I helps supervisors identify the elements of a sexual harassment policy and why a comprehensive, written, and universally understood workplace policy is necessary. It outlines how asexual harassment policy is best followed and enforced when people at all levels of a company areinvolved, and how it protects both individual employees and the employer. Part II broadens the focusto why a culture of compliance and ethical behavior is important in not only preventing sexual harassment but in working in an ethical and productive environment that respects both its people the laws. **continued on attachment

Even legitimate products and sales practices can be problematic for seniors, meaning that even IARs with the best intentions have received deficiency letters and fines. Meanwhile, well-meaningIARs can demonstrate a lack of sensitivity to senior clients and their unique issues. And even worse,as has been demonstrated in recent examinations'others have deliberately exploited thisvulnerability, and scams targeting older investors are on the rise. IAR Senior Protection: Ethical Sales & Account Practices reviews the unethical, fraudulent and misleading activities discoveredduring regulatory examinations initiated by industry regulators and outlined in the SEC's National Senior Investor Initiative Report, the 2019 SEC Examination of Investment Advisers, and NASAA'sInvestment Adviser Coordinated Exams reports in 2021 and 2023. The course highlights how to adjust the advising approach for seniors and the unique factors to consider so that recommendations are in your senior clients' best interest. It explains The NASAA Model Act to Protect Vulnerable Adults from Financial Exploitation, which, when adopted as regulation or *** continued on Timed Outline