Paying attention to detail is Paramount for Success

We, at The Joker Brokers, understand the importance of relationship building.  It is paramount to success.  Even if you have the direct relationship with the most impressive group in the world, what would they think if you didn't pay attention to detail?  What are we talking about?  We are talking about the little things like documents.  You, as the intermediary, broker, introducer, should know how to read a document, bank statement, or any other, with a fine tooth comb.  You, as the introducing party want to have the well established relationship with your productive and performing group.

 
Paying attention to detail is vital to our business.  If you are engaged with a person or entity, then you have to have wherewithal to "read between the lines" in any type of documentation or email.  What are they emailing you?  How is it constructed?  Just from an email alone you can get a lot of information by how it is written.  How many of you have access to a client with millions of dollars looking to get into the next "best" program?  Read their email over and over.  Read it ten times if you have to.  Learn to Pay Attention to Detail and read between the lines.  This is crucial for you because of the amount of fraud and misrepresentation that brokers and clients believe about private banking programs.
 
You are serious about this business, otherwise you would not be reading our newsletter.  What is your opinion of someone who email blasts information to the table?  Would you do it?  Even if you KNEW for a fact, you had a real source of supply, or real connection to perform?  Would you do it?
 
We are very serious about OUR business.  We are so serious about our business, in which, you, have to ask us about those we have a relationship with.  We are not going to solicit you for the business.  One reason is, we do not need it.  We are in it for the long haul and that is all that matters.  We are in business to pay attention to detail, which means we will review your email three times before we respond.  That is how important this business is.
 
We believe reputation is everything, and we also, believe newcomers should know what is real and what is not.  That is why Paying Attention to Detail is Paramount to YOUR success.  Not ours!
 
 

 

Connections to Capital

Your company needs cash for working capital. You have “friends in high places” who would be willing to hook you up with some sources of capital so long as you pay them a success fee when you close your next round of equity financing for capital you raise from the sources they identified.

You can’t wait to have them help you since capital has been tight. After all, you don’t have to pay them anything unless you actually close a deal and get the money. What could be better, right?

While it sounds great to get the money your company needs, you should take a step back and assess the risks. Your well connected friends (we’ll call them “finders”) may well be engaged in activities that would constitute them broker-dealers and/or investment advisers, and if they are not properly registered under applicable securities laws, they can cause some major headaches for issuers (your company).

Broker-Dealers, Investment Advisers and Agents

The securities laws do not define “finder.” However, a “broker” is a person who is engaged in the business of effecting transactions in securities (note that compensation is not an element of the definition), and an “investment adviser” is a person who, for compensation, engages in the business of advising others as to the value of securities or the advisability of investing in or buying or selling securities. Many states, like Connecticut, also have the concept of an “agent” which is a person who represents an issuer in effecting or attempting to effect transactions in securities. Consequently, activities of finders could cause them to be defined as one or more of these regulated securities personnel, requiring them to be registered federally and with any number of states.

Although the securities laws do not define “finder,” there have been a number of no-action letters where the Securities and Exchange Commission has helped define what finder conduct does not cross the line to require registration, the socalled de-facto “finders’ exemption.” Where a finder only makes an introduction and is not involved in negotiations, does not provide any analyses and does not receive a success fee, the finder will not likely cross the line to require registration as securities personnel. However, many finders will do much more than make introductions and will likely want a success fee. So what’s a company to do?

Company Risks

Companies using unregistered securities personnel run a number of risks that can expose them to significant penalties under federal and state law. Contracts with the investor may be void. The company may be considered an aider or abetter of the unregistered finder. Investors may have the right of rescission, and the company would have to return their investment, often with interest plus costs and attorneys’ fees. Issuers can also face various federal and state cease-and-desist orders and fines and penalties which can reach $25 million and 20 years in prison. On perhaps a more practical level, issuers can suffer reputational damage for having used unregistered finders and may jeopardize their ability to raise capital in the future, including going public, because of having to do a rescission offer or needing to provide disclosure of the risk of having to do so.

How Can Companies Protect Themselves?

Know your finder. In the contract or engagement letter with the finder, issuers should get a representation that the finder is appropriately registered. Alternatively, the issuer could get a representation that the finder will not engage in any conduct requiring registration. In addition, issuers can structure the engagement to minimize the risks. The contract could involve a flat fee only and provide for only introductions. The finder should not be involved in the negotiations or any analysis of the transaction or the closing.


Credit to L. R.


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