Iowa Admin. Code r. 191-50.50 - Internet advertising by broker-dealers, investment advisers, broker-dealer agents, investment adviser representatives, and federal covered investment advisers

(1) Broker-dealers, investment advisers, broker-dealer agents, investment adviser representatives, and federal covered investment advisers who use the Internet, the World Wide Web, or similar proprietary or common carrier electronic systems (collectively described as the "Internet") to disseminate information regarding products and services through communications directed generally to anyone having access to the Internet and transmitted through posting on bulletin boards, displays on home pages or similar methods (hereinafter "Internet communications") will not be considered to be transacting business in Iowa pursuant to Iowa Code section 502401., 502402., 502403., 502404., or 502405. based solely on that communication, if:

a. The Internet communication contains a legend clearly stating that:

(1) The broker-dealer, investment adviser, broker-dealer agent, investment adviser representative, or federal covered investment adviser may only transact business in a state if first registered pursuant to or excluded or exempt from the state broker-dealer, investment adviser, broker-dealer agent, or investment adviser representative registration requirements, or federal covered investment adviser notice requirement; and

(2) The broker-dealer, investment adviser, broker-dealer agent, investment adviser representative, or federal covered investment adviser will not effect or attempt to effect transactions in securities or render personalized investment advice for compensation absent compliance with applicable state broker-dealer, investment adviser, broker-dealer agent, or investment adviser representative registration requirements, or federal covered investment adviser notice requirement or applicable exemption or exclusion;

b. The Internet communication contains a mechanism, including but not limited to technical firewalls or other policies and procedures, to ensure that, prior to effecting or attempting to effect transactions with customers in Iowa or prior to direct communication with prospective customers or clients in Iowa, the broker-dealer, investment adviser, broker-dealer agent, or investment adviser representative is first registered in Iowa or, in the case of a federal covered investment adviser, has made a notice filing, or qualifies for an exemption or exclusion from registration requirements;

c. The Internet communication is limited to general information regarding products and services, and the broker-dealer, investment adviser, broker-dealer agent, investment adviser representative, or federal covered investment adviser does not effect or attempt to effect transactions in securities in Iowa or provide personalized investment advice for compensation; and

d. In the case of a broker-dealer agent or investment adviser representative:

(1) The agent's broker-dealer, investment adviser, or federal covered investment adviser affiliation is prominently disclosed within the Internet communication;

(2) The broker-dealer, investment adviser, or federal covered investment adviser with whom the agent or representative is affiliated reviews and approves the content of any Internet communication by the broker-dealer agent or investment adviser representative;

(3) The broker-dealer, investment adviser, or federal covered investment adviser with whom the agent or representative is associated first authorizes the dissemination of information on the particular products and services through the Internet communication; and

(4) The broker-dealer agent or investment adviser representative acts within the scope of the authority granted by the broker-dealer, investment adviser, or federal covered investment adviser in the dissemination of information through the Internet communication.

(2) Nothing in this rule shall excuse broker-dealer, investment adviser, broker-dealer agent, investment adviser representative, and federal covered investment adviser compliance with applicable securities registration, notice filing, antifraud or related provisions.

(3) Nothing in this rule shall be construed to affect the activities of any broker-dealer, investment adviser, broker-dealer agent, investment adviser representative, or federal covered investment adviser engaged in business in Iowa that is not subject to the jurisdiction of the administrator as aresultofNSMIA.

This rule is intended to implement Iowa Code sections 502.401 to 502.405.

Notes

Iowa Admin. Code r. 191-50.50