Question

An investment adviser representative who makes extensive use of third-party research to formulate portfolio recommendations to clients A) need not disclose that fact to the clients B) must disclose that fact to the clients C) is in violation of his fiduciary responsibility as IARs may only use research provided by the firm D) must obtain consent of the clients to use third-party research

Answer 1

Answer: A) need not disclose that fact to the clients

Explanation: An investment adviser representative need not disclose the fact that he/she uses third-party research to formulate portfolio to the clients and the reason is this: It is not necessary to disclose what sources an investment adviser representative uses as the basis for portfolio recommendations, and thus is never in violation of his fiduciary responsibility. However, if the third-party research used is to be distributed to his clients, then, proper attribution is required.