Everything to Know About the Series 7 Exam and License

While most prominent investment firms only hire professionals with post-secondary degrees, graduating from college isn’t a requirement to becoming a stockbroker. Prospective stockbrokers do, however, need to pass the Series 7 exam, also known as the General Securities Representative Qualification Examination, in order to qualify to legally purchase or sell securities products such as municipal fund securities, corporate securities, options, and variable contracts. Series 7 exam candidates need to be sponsored by a Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) member firm.

As of October 1, 2018, exam candidates also need to complete the Securities Industry Essentials (SIE) exam. This is an introductory-level exam that covers a variety of securities topics and was designed to measure each candidate’s knowledge of fundamental concepts, securities products and their risks, and prohibited practices, among other topics. The SIE is a 75-question exam with questions in the following four sections: Knowledge of Capital Market; Understanding Products and Their Risks; Understanding Trading, Customer Accounts, and Prohibited Activities; and Overview of Regulatory Framework.

While Series 7 exam candidates need to be sponsored by a FINRA member firm to take the test, there are no requirements for individuals to take the SIE. Once a person completes the SIE, they have four years to complete the Series 7 exam or other top-off exams like the Series 6 (Investment Company Representative), Series 57 (Securities Trader), or Series 82 (Private Securities Offerings Representative).

Before FINRA introduced the SIE, the Series 7 exam was composed of 250 questions spanning five major job functions. Candidates had to pay $305 to take the exam and had six hours to complete it. Now, the exam contains 125 multiple choice questions and has a time limit of 3 hours and 45 minutes. Exam registration is $245 and the passing score is 72 percent.

The 150 multiple choice questions are broken down into the following sections: 91 questions in Provides Customers with Information about Investments, Makes Suitable Recommendations, Transfers Assets, and Maintains Appropriate Records; 14 questions in Obtains and Verifies Customers’ Purchase and Sales Instructions and Agreements; Processes, Completes, and Confirms Transactions; 11 questions in Opens Accounts after Obtaining and Evaluating Customers’ Financial Profile and Investment Objectives; and nine questions in Seeks Business for the Broker-Dealer from Customers and Potential Customers.

Once a candidate passes the Series 7 exam, they are permitted to sell covered products and activities such as mutual funds, stocks and bonds, exchange-traded funds, direct participation programs, municipal securities, and real estate investment trusts. They are not, however, authorized to sell real estate or life insurance products.

Some states also require stockbrokers and investment professionals to complete the Series 63 exam, in addition to the Series 7, to sell securities. Also known as the Uniform Securities Agent State Law Exam, the 65 multiple choice question test covers specific state laws and regulations and is developed by the North American Securities Administrators Association. FINRA administers the exam.

Those looking to earn their Series 7 license can complete the exam online by filling out and submitting the FINRA Online Exam Administration Request Form. In-person tests are also offered at select locations. There is no physical documentation for proof of exam completion. Instead, employers can access a current or prospective worker’s credentials via FINRA’s Central Registration Depository.

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How to Choose a Professional Hockey Agent

The National Hockey League (NHL) is a multi-billion dollar business. In the 2019/2020 season, the league generated $4.4 billion in revenue. Projections suggest the NHL will make up to $5 billion for the 2021/2022 season. Potential professional hockey players must understand these revenue figures for contract negotiations. Knowing how much the league, and its various franchises, earn helps you determine your value.

Professional sports agents exist to represent your interests during every stage of your professional career. Agents negotiate contracts on behalf of their players and offer career guidance. Of course, there are good and bad agents. As a professional hockey player, you need to know what to look for before signing on with a new agent.

National Hockey League Players’ Association (NHLPA) certification is the primary concern. Any sports agent acting on behalf of a professional hockey player must hold this certification. The NHLPA has Agent Regulations, which define the terms under which a certified agent performs their duties. These regulations also contain codes of conduct that agents must follow. If a player is unsure about their prospective agent’s certification status, they can find a list of all certified agents on the NHLPA website. Avoid any agent who is not NHLPA-certified as they may not act in your best interests.

There are several traits to consider beyond the agent’s certification. Honesty is vital in all interactions between a player and their agent. Players trust agents to oversee sensitive financial information, meaning your agent must be transparent with you at all times. A good agent discloses all relevant information to their client, including bad news related to failed negotiations and negative feedback. Be wary of any agent that showers you with praise without discussing the less positive elements of their work. A good understanding of your abilities helps determine if an agent makes false promises.

Availability is also a critical concern. There is little point in having an agent if you cannot reach them when you need to discuss an issue. Though agents often juggle several clients at once, they should always be quick to respond to your queries. Good agents provide regular updates to their players, particularly regarding negotiations.

Beyond examining their certification status, conducting background checks on the agent is also beneficial. Check the agent’s website to ensure they present themselves professionally. Do the same for their social media accounts. Your agent represents you, meaning you must understand how the agent presents themselves on all channels.

Finally, speak to other agents besides the one you’re considering working with. The best agents maintain extensive networks that include other agents. Your goal here is to determine whether other people in the industry have heard of or worked with your prospective agent. You can also use these conversations to get a broad view of the agent’s reputation within the industry.

Professional hockey players make big decisions when signing on with a sports agent. You must feel confident that your agent will represent your best interests regarding your finances. Plus, the agent must present themselves in a way that benefits your career and personal brand. By following the above guidelines, you ensure that you work with an agent who serves your career.

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Differences Between Mergers & Acquisitions

Mergers and acquisitions are corporate strategies designed to increase a company's capabilities. They're often referred to collectively as M&A. However, there are some critical differences between mergers and acquisitions that those working corporate roles must understand.

Mergers empower companies by enabling them to share technology, resources, and information. A merger involves at least two companies making the strategic decision to combine their resources. Typically, this leads to the formation of one company under a new name, which then issues shares as a new entity. The goal is to create a singular entity with fewer weaknesses and a stronger position in the market. Mergers are usually friendly, with all companies agreeing to the terms because they're mutually beneficial.

With an acquisition, one company purchases another. The purchase typically involves buying at least 50 percent of the shares of the business it is acquiring. An acquisition may not always occur on friendly terms, especially if the owners of the purchased company do not want the acquisition to happen. In these scenarios, an acquisition can become a hostile takeover. However, many acquisitions get conducted civilly, with both sides agreeing to the purchase.

Beyond the differences related to the transaction, several other variances exist. In a merger, all parties work together to create an effective company structure. This work often involves combining the most efficient processes each company has to create a new set of standards and procedures. Acquisitions may involve the same level of collaboration. However, they may often lead to the acquiring company imposing its structure onto the purchased company. The acquiring company may also make changes to the staffing and resource management of the purchased company.

There are also differences between the purposes behind each strategy. Companies often choose to merge because they see the act to decrease competition, thus increasing the merged entity's market share. Mergers can also improve operational efficiency due to the collaborative strategic approach taken. For acquisitions, fast growth is often the main reason behind the acquiring company's decision. The acquiring business gains access to more staff by purchasing a similar company, thereby increasing its market share and potentially eliminating a competitor.

In acquisitions, the acquiring company can dictate the terms of the arrangement. In some cases, the purchased company has very little say, especially if the acquisition occurs due to the purchase of shares. Again, mergers differ here due to a more collaborative approach. The terms defined in a merger typically serve all parties, splitting the benefits between each company to create a more even share of power.

Mergers and acquisitions are good ways for companies to increase their market share. However, collaboration lies at the heart of a merger, resulting in a new entity that is ideally stronger than the individual firms involved. Acquisitions are quicker and enable instant growth for the acquiring company. Still, they come with complications related to restructuring the purchased company that may make the process more challenging. Before deciding on a course of action, company leaders must carefully weigh up the pros and cons of each choice to determine if a merger or acquisition will leave them in a stronger position.

Exploring a Typical First Day at an NHL Training Camp

The National Hockey League (NHL) teams hold training camps annually to prepare for the coming season. Typically beginning in mid-September, these camps provide players with a chance to hone their skills and achieve match fitness. For fans, NHL training camp can also offer the opportunity to get the first glimpse of a new signing or see a fan-favorite player make their preparations.

Coaches use training camps to analyze new players. The camps allow recent draft picks to showcase their skills and prove they can measure up to the established professionals who are already playing. To maximize training camps, a new draft pick or camp invite must enter the camp with some knowledge of what to expect.

Before getting on the ice, players will take part in off-ice testing. Usually lasting for about 60 minutes, this session consists of a battery of exercises that test the player’s physical endurance. Exercises include timed sprints and a vertical jump test, which help determine the player’s leg strength and endurance. Many camps also use a single-leg squat test for the same purpose. This exercise involves squatting the largest weight you can carry on a single leg for five repetitions. Players complete these reps on each leg.

You may undertake maximum pullup and pushup tests during this period too. Both involve completing the exercise to the rhythm of a metronome. The player keeps going until they cannot complete the pullup or pushup in time.

Finally, the off-ice session ends with some machine-based tests. Players may take a treadmill VO2 test, in which they make repeated sprints with constantly decreasing recovery times. Like the pullup and pushup tests, this treadmill exercise repeats until the player can’t go anymore. The coaches may also ask the player to take part in a Wingate Test, a 30-second sprint using a custom-designed bike set to maximum tension.

With this battery of off-ice tests completed, on-ice tests begin. Usually starting at approximately 9:30 am, these exercises allow players to demonstrate their capabilities on the ice. Again, the specific tests vary depending on the team. However, they typically involve engaging in various sprints. These include -sprints from the goal line to the blue sprint line and a test to see how many sprints you can complete to the center red line and back before stopping. Your endurance also gets tested with a multi-lap endurance exercise.

The on-ice session concludes at 11 am, with the player allowed to recover for the rest of the day. Recovery exercises include ice water baths, cool-down exercises, massages, and foam rolling. All recovery exercises relieve the muscles and prevent injury. Players should always participate in these recovery sessions as the activities prepare their bodies for the challenges they’ll face later in the camp.

The first day of an NHL training camp pushes your body to its limits. It’s also a competitive day, as coaches will compare your results to other players’ results to see who can give the most on game days. Understanding the types of tests, you will take part in allows you to prepare appropriately.

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