Question

A mutual fund sponsor wants to hold a sales contest to promote sales during the typically slow month of January. The terms of the contest are that the salesperson in the fund selling group that sells the most of the sponsor's funds during the month of January will get the keys to a new Mercedes sports car. Under FINRA rules, this is an example of

(A) a gift and is permitted
(B) a gift and is prohibited
(C) non-cash compensation and is permitted
(D) non-cash compensation and is prohibited

Answer 1

Answer: Under FINRA rules, this is an example of non-cash compensation and is prohibited.

FINRA forbids enrolled individuals from accepting a acquisition in the sum of more than $100, and also forbids representatives from accepting "non-cash compensation".

The mutual fund sponsor is not the employer of the registered representative - the representative is an employee of the broker-dealer who is in the mutual fund selling group. The benefactor is not permitted to hold such contest - only the employing organizations can hold such contest, provided that it cannot favor the sale of one fund over another. This is an example of "non-cash compensation" under FINRA rules and is prohibited.