Final answer:
Option 1 is not a violation of FINRA's conduct rules on gifts and gratuities as long as the cost of the ticket is under the specified limit, which promotes relationship building without undue influence.
Step-by-step explanation:
The subject of the question concerns the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority's (FINRA) conduct rules regarding gifts and gratuities. The rule of thumb is that FINRA prohibits financial industry professionals from giving gifts worth more than a specified dollar amount--traditionally $100--to employees of other financial institutions if the gift could be construed as an attempt to influence the recipient's business decisions. Options 2, 3, and 4 clearly violate this rule as they involve gifts that exceed the acceptable value, potentially influence business decisions, or imply an agreement to exchange business for gifts, which could be interpreted as a form of bribery.
Therefore, Option 1, where a representative invites a trader from another broker-dealer to join her for a hockey game, would not be considered a violation provided the cost of the ticket does not exceed FINRA's monetary threshold for gifts. In most scenarios, simple entertainment such as attending a game together, within the accepted value limit, is permissible. This interaction is intended to build professional relationships without the exchange of valuable gifts that might unduly influence business decisions.