An Overview of the Series 66 Certification

New York financial professional, Toby Mitchell, is Vice President/Investments with the CR Wealth Management Group of Stifel. An experienced financial advisor, Toby Mitchell holds professional certifications that include the Series 66 security license, which allows him to offer a wealth of knowledge and strategic insight to investors.

Also known as the North American Securities Administrators Association (NASAA) Uniform Combined State Law Examination, the Series 66 exam certifies financial professionals as both securities agents and investment advisory representatives. Financial professionals holding the Series 66 security license have demonstrated knowledge equivalent to that required for Series 63 and Series 65 security licensure. Individuals granted Series 66 certification must pair it with a Series 7 license (which Toby Mitchell also holds) to register as investment advisors. 

Updated in May 2016, the 100-question, 150-minute Series 66 exam covers a variety of topics related to investment advisory while omitting many of the product and strategy topics covered by Series 7. Approximately half of the exam tests individuals’ knowledge of laws and regulations governing securities at both the state and federal level, including those addressing business ethics and fiduciary duties. A number of questions address the differing types of investors, factors that may influence their financial goals, and varying portfolio management strategies. 

Having passed the Series 66 exam, Toby has acquired knowledge of unique financial advisory needs, such as retirement planning. He is also well-versed in the vast array of investment vehicles, as well as in strategies for assessing risk, financial disclosure, and portfolio performance.

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The Basics of Private Equity

As Vice President/Investments with The CR Wealth Management Group of Stifel, Toby Mitchell leverages the knowledge he gained working as a financial advisor with Morgan Stanley and more than a decade functioning in the credit sector. From Stifel's offices in New York, Toby offers a broad range of investment services to clients to help them preserve and grow wealth.

Among the investment options The CR Wealth Management Group offers is private equity. A form of capital that does not get recorded on any public exchange, private equity involves direct investment into private companies from individuals or specially created funds. Typically, private companies utilize these funds to purchase new technologies, create working capital, or make acquisitions to bolster the company’s offerings.

Typically used as a medium- to long-term strategy, private equity investment is primarily made in mature companies, with investors receiving an equity stake in the private company in return for the investment. In many cases, private equity investors will work alongside the management teams of the companies they invest in, providing the benefits of their own expertise to facilitate sustainable growth.

Private equity funds are not appropriate for all investors. Investors should be aware that private equity funds may contain speculative investment practices that can lead to a loss of the entire investment. Private equity funds may invest in entities in which no secondary market exists and, as such, may be highly illiquid. The funds are not required to provide periodic pricing or valuation information to investors and often charge high fees that can erode performance. Additionally, they may involve complex tax structures and delays in distributing tax information.