At Fox Rothschild, we are constantly advising clients regarding the peril of engaging in the securities industry without the proper license. In fact, we have developed materials to provide our clients with information about the process. See http://www.foxrothschild.com/content/uploads/2016/10/e-book-Horn-Badway-McCoy-Broker-Dealers-Registered-Investment-Advisers-and-Commodities-Futures-Registered-Entities-October-2016.pdf.

A recent case before the SEC has only confirmed this advice. The SEC barred a person from the securities industry, and required disgorgement in the amount of $400,000 because the person failed to register as a broker-dealer while selling private fund interests. The cited person communicated with investors, discussed the investment, handled funds, and received a commission when it sold notes issued by a third party fund, who then proceeded to go out of business. See https://www.sec.gov/litigation/admin/2017/34-80083.pdf.

In short, the SEC is not shying away from requiring broker-dealer registration, and people should think twice before proceeding with any securities activity.

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