Each AAFM™ Designation below should be used in full on your business cards, web sites, promotional materials, and resumes. To preserve our trademarks, we should enforce the full use of the financial designation name.

Example: John Doe, MFP™ Master Financial Professional

Or on your resume: Awarded MFP charter as a Master financial professional

Example: John Doe, CWM, CPM, MFM, RMA, CTEP, RBA, CAM

Example of Lawyer Using AAFM Designations

Example of Smith Barney Executive Using AAFM Designations

Example of Fee Online Financial Executive Using AAFM Designations

Example of Press Release of Member receiving CWM Award

Your AAFM license, charter and designation can be used on your website, resume, CV, and promotional materials.©

Please Review the following Information as it would apply to all members of our organization from a standpoint of good standing and character.

NASD Conduct Rule 2210

2210. Communications with the Public

(a) Definitions - Communications with the public shall include:
(1) Advertisement -For purposes of this Rule and any interpretation thereof, "advertisement" means material published, or designed for use in, a newspaper, magazine or other periodical, radio, television, telephone or tape recording, videotape display, signs or billboards, motion pictures, telephone directories (other than routine listings), electronic or other public media.

(2) Sales Literature - For purposes of this Rule and any interpretation thereof, "sales literature" means any written or electronic communication distributed or made generally available to customers or the public, which communication does not meet the foregoing definition of "advertisement." Sales literature includes, but is not limited to, circulars, research reports, market letters, performance reports or summaries, form letters, telemarketing scripts, seminar texts, and reprints or excerpts of any other advertisement, sales literature or published article.

(3) Correspondence - For purposes of this Rule and any interpretation thereof, "correspondence" means any written or electronic communication prepared for delivery to a single current or prospective customer, and not for dissemination to multiple customers or the general public.

Cross Reference - Rules Concerning Review and Endorsement of Correspondence are Found in paragraph (d) to Conduct Rule 3010.

(b) Approval and Recordkeeping
(1) Each item of advertising and sales literature shall be approved by signature or initial, prior to use or filing with NASD, by a registered principal of the member. This requirement may be met, only with respect to corporate debt and equity securities that are the subject of research reports as the term is defined in Rule 472 of the New York Stock Exchange, by the signature or initial of a supervisory analyst approved pursuant to Rule 344 of the New York Stock Exchange. This requirement may be met, only with respect to advertising and sales literature concerning security futures, by the signature or initial of a principal qualified to supervise security futures activities.

(2) A separate file of all advertisements and sales literature, including the name(s) of the person(s) who prepared them and/or approved their use, shall be maintained for a period of three years from the date of each use.

(c) Filing Requirements and Review Procedures
(1) Advertisements and sales literature concerning registered investment companies (including mutual funds, variable contracts and unit investment trusts) not included within the requirements of paragraph (c)(2), and public direct participation programs (as defined in Rule 2810), and advertisements concerning government securities (as defined in Section 3(a)(42) of the Act) shall be filed with the Association's Advertising/Investment Companies Regulation Department (Department) within 10 days of first use or publication by any member. The member must provide with each filing the actual or anticipated date of first use. Filing in advance of use is recommended. Members are not required to file advertising and sales literature which have previously been filed and which are used without change. Any member filing any investment company advertisement or sales literature pursuant to this paragraph (c) that includes or incorporates rankings or comparisons of the investment company with other investment companies shall include a copy of the ranking or comparison used in the advertisement or sales literature.

(2) Advertisements concerning collateralized mortgage obligations, advertisements concerning security futures, and advertisements and sales literature concerning registered investment companies (including mutual funds, variable contracts and unit investment trusts) that include or incorporate rankings or comparisons of the investment company with other investment companies where the ranking or comparison category is not generally published or is the creation, either directly or indirectly, of the investment company, its underwriter or an affiliate, shall be filed with the Department for review at least 10 days prior to use (or such shorter period as the Department may allow in particular circumstances) for approval and, if changed by the Association, shall be withheld from publication or circulation until any changes specified by the Association have been made or, if expressly disapproved, until the advertisement has been refiled for, and has received, Association approval. The member must provide with each filing the actual or anticipated date of first use. Any member filing any investment company advertisement or sales literature pursuant to this paragraph shall include a copy of the data, ranking or comparison on which the ranking or comparison is based.

(3) Sales literature concerning bond mutual funds that include or incorporate bond mutual fund volatility ratings, as defined in Rule IM-2210-5, shall be filed with the Department for review at least 10 days prior to use (or such shorter period as the Department may allow in particular circumstances) for approval and, if changed by the Association, shall be withheld from publication or circulation until any changes specified by the Association have been made or, if expressly disapproved, until the sales literature has been refiled for, and has received, Association approval. Members are not required to file advertising and sales literature which have previously been filed and which are used without change. The member must provide with each filing the actual or anticipated date of first use. Any member filing sales literature pursuant to this paragraph shall provide any supplemental information requested by the Department pertaining to the rating that is possessed by the member.

(4)

(A) Each member of the Association which has not previously filed advertisements with the Association (or with a registered securities exchange having standards comparable to those contained in this Rule) shall file its initial advertisement with the Department at least ten days prior to use and shall continue to file its advertisements at least ten days prior to use for a period of one year. The member must provide with each filing the actual or anticipated date of first use.

(B) Except for advertisements related to exempted securities (as defined in Section 3(a)(12) of the Act), municipal securities, direct participation programs or investment company securities, members subject to the requirements of paragraph (c)(3)(A) of this Rule may, in lieu of filing with the Association, file advertisements on the same basis, and for the same time periods specified in that subparagraph, with any registered securities exchange having standards comparable to those contained in this Rule.

(5)
(A) Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions, the Department, upon review of a member's advertising and/or sales literature, and after determining that the member has departed and there is a reasonable likelihood that the member will again depart from the standards of this Rule, may require that such member file all advertising and/or sales literature, or the portion of such member's material which is related to any specific types or classes of securities or services, with the Department, at least ten days prior to use. The member must provide with each filing the actual or anticipated date of first use.

(B) The Department shall notify the member in writing of the types of material to be filed and the length of time such requirement is to be in effect. The requirement shall not exceed one year, however, and shall not take effect until 30 days after the member receives the written notice, during which time the member may request a hearing under Rule 9514, and any such hearing shall be held in reasonable conformity with the hearing and appeal procedures of the Rule 9510 Series.

(6) In addition to the foregoing requirements, every member's advertisements and sales literature shall be subject to a routine spot-check procedure. Upon written request from the Department, each member shall promptly submit the material requested. Members will not be required to submit material under this procedure which has been previously submitted pursuant to one of the foregoing requirements and, except for material related to exempted securities (as defined in Section 3(a)(12) of the Act), municipal securities, direct participation programs or investment company securities, the procedure will not be applied to members who have been, within the Association's current examination cycle subjected to a spot-check by a registered securities exchange or other self-regulatory organization using procedures comparable to those used by the Association.

(7) The following types of material are excluded from the foregoing filing requirements and (except for research reports under paragraph (G)) the foregoing spot-check procedures:

(A) Advertisements or sales literature solely related to changes in a member's name, personnel, location, ownership, offices, business structure, officers or partners, telephone or teletype numbers, or concerning a merger with, or acquisition by, another member;

(B) Advertisements or sales literature which do no more than identify the Nasdaq symbol of the member and/or of a security in which the member is a Nasdaq registered market maker;

(C) Advertisements or sales literature which do no more than identify the member and/or offer a specific security at a stated price;

(D) Material sent to branch offices or other internal material that is not distributed to the public;

(E) Prospectuses, preliminary prospectuses, offering circulars and similar documents used in connection with an offering of securities which has been registered or filed with the Commission or any state, or which is exempt from such registration, except that an investment company prospectus published pursuant to SEC Rule 482 under the Securities Act of 1933 shall not be considered a prospectus for purposes of this exclusion;

(F) Advertisements prepared in accordance with Section 2(10)(b) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or any rule thereunder, such as SEC Rule 134, unless such advertisements are related to direct participation programs or securities issued by registered investment companies.

(G) any research report concerning an investment company registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, provided that:

(i) the report is prepared by an entity that is independent of the investment company, its affiliates, and the member using the report (the "research firm");

(ii) the report's contents have not been materially altered by the member using the report (except as necessary to make the report consistent with applicable regulatory standards);

(iii) the research firm prepares and distributes reports based on similar research with respect to a substantial number of investment companies;

(iv) the research firm updates and distributes reports based on its research of the investment company with reasonable regularity in the normal course of the research firm's business; (v) neither the investment company, its affiliates nor the member using the research report has commissioned the research used by the research firm in preparing the report; and

(vi) if a customized report was prepared at the request of the investment company, its affiliate or a member, then the report includes only information that the research firm has already compiled and published in another non-customized report, and does not omit information in that report necessary to make the customized report fair and balanced.

Although research reports meeting the above requirements are excluded from the foregoing filing requirements, they shall be deemed to be filed with the Association for purposes of Section 24(b) of the Investment Company Act of 1940 and Rule 24b-3 of the Securities and Exchange Commission thereunder.

(8) Material which refers to investment company securities or direct participation programs, or exempted securities (as defined in Section 3(a)(12) of the Act) solely as part of a listing of products and/or services offered by the member, is excluded from the requirements of subparagraphs (1) and (2).

(9) Exemptions. Pursuant to the Rule 9600 Series, the Association may exempt a member or person associated with a member from the pre-filing requirements of this paragraph for good cause shown.

(d) Standards Applicable to Communications with the Public
(1) General Standards
(A) All member communications with the public shall be based on principles of fair dealing and good faith and should provide a sound basis for evaluating the facts in regard to any particular security or securities or type of security, industry discussed, or service offered. No material fact or qualification may be omitted if the omission, in the light of the context of the material presented, would cause the communication to be misleading.

(B) Exaggerated, unwarranted or misleading statements or claims are prohibited in all public communications of members. In preparing such communications, members must bear in mind that inherent in investment are the risks of fluctuating prices and the uncertainty of dividends, rates of return and yield, and no member shall, directly or indirectly, publish, circulate or distribute any public communication that the member knows or has reason to know contains any untrue statement of a material fact or is otherwise false or misleading.

(C) When sponsoring or participating in a seminar, forum, radio or television interview, or when otherwise engaged in public appearances or speaking activities which may not constitute advertisements, members and persons associated with members shall nevertheless follow the standards of paragraphs (d) and (f) of this Rule.

(D) In judging whether a communication or a particular element of a communication may be misleading, several factors should be considered, including but not limited to:

(i) the overall context in which the statement or statements are made. A statement made in one context may be misleading even though such a statement could be appropriate in another context. An essential test in this regard is the balance of treatment of risks and potential benefits.

(ii) the audience to which the communication is directed. Different levels of explanation or detail may be necessary depending on the audience to which a communication is directed, and the ability of the member given the nature of the media used, to restrict the audience appropriately. If the statements made in a communication would be applicable only to a limited audience, or if additional information might be necessary for other audiences, it should be kept in mind that it is not always possible to restrict the readership of a particular communication.

(iii) the overall clarity of the communication. A statement or disclosure made in an unclear manner can result in a lack of understanding of the statement, or in a serious misunderstanding. A complex or overly technical explanation may be more confusing than too little information. Likewise, material disclosure relegated to legends or footnotes may not enhance the reader's understanding of the communication.

(2) Specific Standards

In addition to the foregoing general standards, the following specific standards apply:

(A) Necessary Data. Advertisements and sales literature shall contain the name of the member, unless such advertisements and sales literature comply with paragraph (f). Sales literature shall contain the name of the person or firm preparing the material, if other than the member, and the date on which it is first published, circulated or distributed. If the information in the material is not current, this fact should be stated.

(B) Recommendations.

(i) In making a recommendation in advertisements and sales literature, whether or not labeled as such, a member must have a reasonable basis for the recommendation and must disclose any of the following situations which are applicable:

a. that the member usually makes a market in the securities being recommended, or in the underlying security if the recommended security is an option or security future, or that the member or associated persons will sell to or buy from customers on a principal basis;

b. that the member and/or its officers or partners own options, security futures, rights or warrants to purchase any of the securities of the issuer whose securities are recommended, unless the extent of such ownership is nominal;

c. that the member was manager or co-manager of a public offering of any securities of the recommended issuer within the last three years.

(ii) The member shall also provide, or offer to furnish upon request, available investment information supporting the recommendation. Recommendations on behalf of corporate equities must provide the price at the time the recommendation is made.

(iii) A member may use material referring to past recommendations if it sets forth all recommendations as to the same type, kind, grade or classification of securities made by a member within the last year. Longer periods of years may be covered if they are consecutive and include the most recent year. Such material must also name each security recommended and give the date and nature of each recommendation (e.g., whether to buy or sell), the price at the time of the recommendation, the price at which or the price range within which the recommendation was to be acted upon, and indicate the general market conditions during the period covered.

(iv) Also permitted is material which does not make any specific recommendation but which offers to furnish a list of all recommendations made by a member within the past year or over longer periods of consecutive years, including the most recent year, if this list contains all the information specified in subparagraph (iii). Neither the list of recommendations, nor material offering such list, shall imply comparable future performance. Reference to the results of a previous specific recommendation, including such a reference in a follow-up research report or market letter, is prohibited if the intent or the effect is to show the success of a past recommendation, unless all of the foregoing requirements with respect to past recommendations are met.

(C) Claims and Opinions. Communications with the public must not contain promises of specific results, exaggerated or unwarranted claims or unwarranted superlatives, opinions for which there is no reasonable basis, or forecasts of future events which are unwarranted, or which are not clearly labeled as forecasts.

(D) Testimonials. In testimonials concerning the quality of a firm's investment advice, the following points must be clearly stated in advertisements and sales literature:

(i) The testimonial may not be representative of the experience of other clients.

(ii) The testimonial is not indicative of future performance or success.

(iii) If more than a nominal sum is paid, the fact that it is a paid testimonial must be indicated.

(iv) If the testimonial concerns a technical aspect of investing, the person making the testimonial must have knowledge and experience to form a valid opinion.

(E) Offers of Free Service. Any statement in communications with the public to the effect that any report, analysis, or other service will be furnished free or without any charge must not be made unless such report, analysis or other service actually is or will be furnished entirely free and without condition or obligation.

(F) Claims for Research Facilities. No claim or implication in communications with the public may be made for research or other facilities beyond those which the member actually possesses or has reasonable capacity to provide.

(G) Hedge Clauses. No cautionary statements or caveats, often called hedge clauses, may be used in communications with the public if they are misleading or are inconsistent with the content of the material.

(H) Recruiting Advertising. Advertisements in connection with the recruitment of sales personnel must not contain exaggerated or unwarranted claims or statements about opportunities in the investment banking or securities business and should not refer to specific earnings figures or ranges which are not reasonable under the circumstances.

(I) Periodic Investment Plans. Advertisements and sales literature should not discuss or portray any type of continuous or periodic investment plan without disclosing that such a plan does not assure a profit and does not protect against loss in declining markets. In addition, if the material deals specifically with the principles of dollar-cost averaging, it should point out that since such a plan involves continuous investment in securities regardless of fluctuating price levels of such securities, the investor should consider his financial ability to continue his purchases through periods of low price levels.

(J) References to Regulatory Organizations. Communications with the public shall not make any reference to membership in the Association or to registration or regulation of the securities being offered, or of the underwriter, sponsor, or any member or associated person, which reference could imply endorsement or approval by the Association or any federal or state regulatory body. References to membership in the Association or Securities Investors Protection Corporation shall comply with all applicable By-Laws and Rules pertaining thereto.

(K) Identification of Sources. Statistical tables, charts, graphs or other illustrations used by members in advertising or sales literature should disclose the source of the information if not prepared by the member.

(L) Claims of Tax Free/Tax Exempt Returns. Income or investment returns may not be characterized in communications with the public as tax free or exempt from income tax where tax liability is merely postponed or deferred. If taxes are payable upon redemption, that fact must be disclosed in advertisements and sales literature. References in advertisements and sales literature to tax free/tax exempt current income must indicate which income taxes apply or which do not unless income is free from all applicable taxes. For example, if income from an investment company investing in municipal bonds may be subject to state or local income taxes, this should be stated, or the illustration should otherwise make it clear that income is free from federal income tax.

(M) Comparisons. In making a comparison in advertisements and sales literature, either directly or indirectly, the member must make certain that the purpose of the comparison is clear and must provide a fair and balanced presentation, including any material differences between the subjects of comparison. Such differences may include investment objectives, sales and management fees, liquidity, safety, guarantees or insurance, fluctuation of principal and/or return, tax features, and any other factors necessary to make such comparisons fair and not misleading.

(N) Predictions and Projections. In communications with the public, investment results cannot be predicted or projected. Investment performance illustrations may not imply that gain or income realized in the past will be repeated in the future. However, for purposes of this Rule, hypothetical illustrations of mathematical principles are not considered projections of performance; e.g., illustrations designed to show the effects of dollar cost averaging, tax-free compounding, or the mechanics of variable annuity contracts or variable life policies.

(e) Application of SEC Rules

In addition to the provisions of paragraph (d) of this Rule, members' public communications shall conform to all applicable rules of the Commission, as in effect at the time the material is used.

Cross Reference - SEC Rules Concerning Investment Company Sales Literature and Advertising (SEC Rules and Regulation T Tab)

(f) Standards Applicable to the Use and Disclosure of the Association Member's Name

(1) In addition to the provisions of paragraph (d) of this Rule, members' public communications shall conform to the following provisions concerning the use and disclosure of member names. The term "communication" as used herein shall include any item defined as either "advertising" or "sales literature" in paragraph (a). The term "communication" shall also include, among other things, business cards and letterhead.

(2) General Standards

(A) Any communication used in the promotion of a member's securities business must clearly and prominently set forth the name of the Association member. This requirement shall not apply to so-called "blind" advertisements used for recruiting personnel or to those communications meeting the provisions of paragraph (f)(3).

(B) If a non-member entity is named in a communication in addition to the member, the relationship, or lack of relationship, between the member and the entity shall be clear.

(C) If a non-member entity is named in a communication in addition to the member and products or services are identified, no confusion shall be created as to which entity is offering which products and services. Securities products and services shall be clearly identified as being offered by the member.

(D) If an individual is named in a communication containing the names of the member and a non-member entity, the nature of the affiliation or relationship of the individual with the member shall be clear.

(E) Communications that refer to individuals may not include, with respect to such individuals, references to nonexistent or self-conferred degrees or designations, nor may such communications make reference to bona fide degrees or designations in a misleading manner.

(F) If a communication identifies a single company, the communication shall not be used in a manner which implies the offering of a product or service not available from the company named.

(G) The positioning of disclosure can create confusion even if the disclosures or references are entirely accurate. To avoid confusion, a reference to an affiliation (e.g., registered representative) shall not be placed in proximity to the wrong entity.

(H) Any reference to membership (e.g., NASD, SIPC, etc.) shall be clearly identified as belonging to the entity that is the actual member of the organization.

(3) Specific Standards

The foregoing standards set forth in subparagraphs (1) and (2) shall apply to all communications unless at least one of the following special circumstances exists, in which case the standards set forth herein would supersede the standards in subparagraphs (1) and (2).

(A) Doing Business As. An Association member may use a fictional name in communications provided that the following conditions are met:
(i) Non-Required Fictional Name. A member may voluntarily use a fictional name provided that the name has been filed with the Association and the Commission, all business is conducted under that name and it is the only name by which the firm is recognized.

(ii) Required Fictional Name. If a state or other regulatory authority requires a member to use a fictional name, the following conditions shall be met:

(B) Generic Names. An Association member may use an "umbrella" designation to promote name recognition, provided that the following conditions are met:
(i) The name of the member shall be clearly and prominently disclosed;
(ii) The relationship between the generic name and the member shall be clear; and

(iii) There shall be no implication that the generic name is the name of a registered broker/dealer.

a. that the member usually makes a market in the securities being recommended, or in the underlying security if the recommended security is an option or security future, or that the member or associated persons will sell to or buy from customers on a principal basis;

b. that the member and/or its officers or partners own options, security futures, rights or warrants to purchase any of the securities of the issuer whose securities are recommended, unless the extent of such ownership is nominal;

c. that the member was manager or co-manager of a public offering of any securities of the recommended issuer within the last three years.

(C) Derivative Names. An Association member may use a derivative of the firm name to promote certain areas of the firm's business, provided that the name of the member is clearly and prominently disclosed. Absent such disclosure, the following conditions must be met:
(i) The name used to promote a specific area of the firm's business shall be a derivative of the member name; and

(ii) The derivative name shall not be misleading in the context in which it is being used.

(D) "Division of." An Association member firm may designate an aspect of its business as a division of the firm, provided that the following conditions are met:
(i) The designation shall only be used by a bona fide division of the member. This shall include:
a. a division resulting from a merger or acquisition that will continue the previous firm's business; or

b. a functional division that conducts or will conduct one specialized aspect of the firm's business.

(ii) The name of the member shall be clearly and prominently disclosed.

(iii) The division shall be clearly identified as a division of the member firm.

(E) "Service of/Securities Offered Through." An Association member firm may identify its brokerage service being offered through other institutions as a service of the member, provided that the following conditions are met:
(i) The name of the member shall be clearly and prominently disclosed.

(ii) The service shall be clearly identified as a service of the member firm.

(F) Telephone Directory Line Listings, Business Cards and Letterhead. All such listings, cards or letterhead shall conform to the provisions of Rule 3010(g)(2).
[Amended eff. Aug. 2, 1983; June 5, 1987; July 1, 1988; Nov. 28, 1988; June 26, 1990; Mar. 27, 1991; Sept. 13, 1991; Nov. 16, 1992; amended by SR-NASD-92-53 eff. July 1, 1993; amended by SR-NASD-93-66 eff. Mar. 17, 1994; amended by SR-NASD-95-12 eff. Aug. 9, 1995; amended by SR-NASD-95-39 eff. Aug. 20, 1996; amended by SR-NASD-97-33 eff. May 9, 1997; amended by SR-NASD-97-28 eff. Aug. 7, 1997; amended by SR-NASD-98-28 eff. July 15, 1998; amended by SR-NASD-98-29 eff. Nov. 16, 1998; amended by SR-NASD-98-57 eff. Mar. 26, 1999; amended by SR-NASD-98-32 eff. April 1, 2000; amended by SR-NASD-97-89 eff. Feb. 29, 2000; amended by SR-NASD-2002-40 eff. Oct. 15, 2002.]

Selected Notices to Members: 98-83; 00-15; 00-23.



IM-2210-1. Communications with the Public About Collateralized Mortgage Obligations (CMOs)
(a) General Considerations

For purposes of the following guidelines, the term "collateralized mortgage obligation" (CMO) refers to a multiclass bond backed by a pool of mortgage pass-through securities or mortgage loans. CMOs are also known as "real estate mortgage investment conduits" (REMICs). As a result of the 1986 Tax Reform Act, most CMOs are issued in REMIC form to create certain tax advantages for the issuer. The term CMO and REMIC are now used interchangeably. In order to prevent advertisements and sales literature regarding CMOs from being false or misleading, there are certain factors to be considered, including, but not limited to, the following:

(1) Product Identification

In order to assure that investors understand exactly what security is being discussed, all communications concerning CMOs should clearly describe the product as a "collateralized mortgage obligation." Member firms should not use the proprietary names for CMOs as they do not adequately identify the product. To prevent confusion and the possibility of misleading the reader, communications should not contain comparisons between CMOs and any other investment vehicle, including Certificates of Deposit.

(2) Educational Material

In order to ensure that customers are adequately informed about CMOs members are required to offer to customers educational material which covers the following matters:

(A) A discussion of CMO characteristics as investments and their attendant risks;

(B) An explanation of the structure of a CMO, including the various types of tranches;

(C) A discussion of mortgage loans and mortgage securities;

(D) Features of CMOs, including: credit quality, prepayment rates and average lives, interest rates (including effect on value and prepayment rates), tax considerations, minimum investments, transactions costs and liquidity;

(E) Questions an investor should ask before investing; and

(F) A glossary of terms that may be helpful to an investor considering an investment.

(3) Safety Claims

A communication should not overstate the relative safety offered by the CMO. Although CMOs generally offer low investment risk, they are subject to market risk like all investment securities and there should be no implication otherwise. Accordingly, references to liquidity should be balanced with disclosure that, upon resale, an investor may receive more or less than his original investment.

(4) Claims About Government Guarantees

(A) Communications should accurately depict the guarantees associated with CMO securities. For example, in most cases it would be misleading to state that CMOs are "government guaranteed" securities. A government agency issue could instead be characterized as government agency backed. Of course, private-issue CMO advertisements should not contain references to guarantees or backing, but may disclose the rating.

(B) If the CMO is offered at a premium, the communication should clearly indicate that the government agency backing applies only to the face value of the CMO, and not to any premium paid. Furthermore, communications should not imply that either the market value or the anticipated yield of the CMO is guaranteed.

(5) Simplicity Claims

CMOs are complex securities and require full, fair and clear disclosure in order to be understood by the investor. A communication should not imply that these are simple securities that may be suitable for any investor seeking high yields. All CMOs do not have the same characteristics and it is misleading to indicate otherwise. Even though two CMOs may have the same underlying collateral, they may differ greatly in their prepayment speed and volatility.

(6) Claims About Predictability

A communication would be misleading if it indicated that the anticipated yield and average life of a CMO were assured. It should disclose that the yield and average life will fluctuate depending on the actual prepayment experience and changes in current interest rates.

(b) Print Advertising
(1) Educational advertising, discussing generally the features of CMOs, can be a very useful and informative tool in explaining these securities to the investing public. However, such "generic" advertising should not contain anticipated yield or coupon rates.

(2) Advertising relating to CMOs must be filed with the Association's Advertising/Investment Companies Regulation Department for review at least ten days prior to use, pursuant to requirements in Rule 2210.

(3) The Association has developed a standardized CMO advertisement that provides information deemed necessary to prevent the communication from being misleading. Members must file the standardized CMO advertisement, ten days prior to its first use, with the Association's Advertising/Investment Companies Regulation Department.

(4) Members are not required to use the standardized CMO advertisement. If firms do not elect to use the standardized CMO advertisement, they should ensure that their advertising contains the same information and meets the same conditions as the standardized CMO advertisement. Members using a non-standardized format must file the advertisement ten days prior to first use.

(5) After an advertisement has been filed prior to initial use, subsequent use of the identical advertisement, changed only to reflect the updated information for the security being advertised, does not require re-filing with the Association. Such advertisements must be approved by a principal (or designee) and maintained in the member firm's files as required by the Association's Rules.

(6) Standardized CMO Advertisement

(A) The standardized CMO advertisement contains four sections, each of which must be given an equal portion of space in the advertisement. The information in Sections 1 and 2 is required to be included in advertising for CMOs. The information suggested for Section 3 is optional; therefore, the member may elect to include any, all or none of this information in the advertisement. The information in Section 4 may be tailored to the member's preferred signature. An example of the standardized CMO advertisement may be found at the end of these guidelines.

Section 1 Title - Collateralized Mortgage Obligations
Coupon Rate
Anticipated Yield/Average Life
Specific Tranche - Number & Class
Final Maturity Date
Underlying Collateral
Section 2 Disclosure Statement: "The yield and average life shown above consider prepayment assumptions that may or may not be met. Changes in payments may significantly affect yield and average life. Please contact your representative for information on CMOs and how they react to different market conditions."
Section 3 Product Features (Optional):
Minimum Denominations
Rating Disclosure
Agency/Government Backing
Income Payment Stucture
Generic Description of Tranche (e.g., PAC, Companion)
Section 4 Company Information:
Name, Address, Telephone Number, Representative's Name, Memberships

(B) If this standardized CMO advertisement is used, the following conditions must also be met:

(i) All figures in Section 1 must be in equal type size.

(ii) The disclosure language in Section 2 may not be altered and must be given equal prominence with Section 1.

(iii) The prepayment assumption used to determine the advertised yield and average life must either be obtained from a nationally recognized service (e.g., Bloomberg, Telerate) or the member firm must be able to justify the assumption used. A copy of either the service's listing for the CMO or the firm's justification must be attached to the copy of the advertisement that is maintained in the firm's advertising files in order to verify that the prepayment scenario advertised is reasonable and to satisfy the conditions for waiving the pre-use filing requirement.

(iv) If a member intends to impose a sales charge, a reasonable sales charge should be reflected in the anticipated yield.

(v) The advertisement must include language stating that the security is "offered subject to prior sale and price change." This language may be included in any one of the four sections.

(vi) If the bond advertised is an accrual bond, the following language should be included in Section 1: "This is an accrual bond and may not currently pay principal and interest."

(vii) If the bond is being offered at par, the advertisement may include the yield to maturity in Section 1.

(C) No additional information may be included in the standardized advertisement.
(c) Radio/Television Advertising
(1) Radio and television advertising alternatives are too varied to attempt to provide standardized formats for either medium. Such advertisements must be filed with the Association at least ten days prior to first use. The storyboard or other description should accompany the filing of a television advertisement.

(2) If an advertisement is filed with the Association prior to its initial use, it is not necessary to subsequently refile the advertisement if the only changes are to update the information relating to the security being advertised. A copy of each advertisement should be approved by a principal (or designee) and should be maintained, along with a copy of the listing for the CMO or the firm's justification, in the member firm's files in accordance with Association Rules.

(3) The following guidelines should be followed when developing radio and television advertisements:

(A) The advertisements must be preceded by the following oral disclaimer: "The following is an advertisement for Collateralized Mortgage Obligations. Contact your representative for information on CMOs and how they react to different market conditions."

(B) The advertisements must disclose the information contained in Section 1 of the standardized CMO advertisement above:

Coupon Rate, Anticipated Yield, Average Life, Final Maturity Date, Initial Issue Tranche (Number and Class), and Underlying Collateral.

(C) The advertisements must contain the following oral disclosure statement: "The yield and average life consider prepayment assumptions that may or may not be met. Changes in payments may significantly affect yield and average life."

(D) The advertisements must state that the CMO is "offered subject to prior sale and price change."

(E) If a member intends to impose a sales charge, a reasonable sales charge should be reflected in the anticipated yield.

(F) If the bond advertised is an accrual bond, the following language should be included: "This is an accrual bond and may not currently pay principal and interest."

(G) If the bond is being offered at par, the advertisement may include the yield to maturity.

[Adopted by SR-NASD-92-58 eff. Jan. 27, 1993; amended by SR-NASD-93-63 eff. Nov. 9, 1993; amended by SR-NASD-93-72 eff. Dec. 17, 1993; amended by SR-NASD-98-29 eff. Nov. 16, 1998.]

Selected Notices to Members: 98-83.

Example of Standardized CMO Advertisement (See IM-2210-1.)
Collateralized Mortgage Obligations
8.50% Coupon
8.75% Anticipated Yield to 10-Year Average Life
FNMA 9532X, Final Maturity March 2010
Collateral 100% FNMA 8.50%
The yield and average life shown above
consider prepayment assumptions that may or may not be met.
-----------------------------------------------------------
Changes in payments may significantly affect yield and average life.

Please contact your representative for information
on CMOs and how they react to different market conditions.
$5,000 Minimum
Income Paid Monthly
Implied Rating/Volatility Rating
U.S. Gov't Agency Backed
Generic Description (e.g., PAC, Companion, Sequential Pay Bonds)

Company Name
Contact Person
Address
City, State, ZIP Code
Phone Number
Offered subject to prior sale and price change.
Member SIPC


IM-2210-2. Communications with the Public About Variable Life Insurance and Variable Annuities

The standards governing communications with the public are set forth in Rule 2210. In addition to those standards, the following guidelines must be considered in preparing advertisements and sales literature about variable life insurance and variable annuities. The guidelines are applicable to advertisements and sales literature as defined in Rule 2210, as well as individualized communications such as personalized letters and computer generated illustrations, whether printed or made available on-screen.

(a) General Considerations
(1) Product Identification

In order to assure that investors understand exactly what security is being discussed, all communications must clearly describe the product as either a variable life insurance policy or a variable annuity, as applicable. Member firms may use proprietary names in addition to this description. In cases where the proprietary name includes a description of the type of security being offered, there is no requirement to include a generalized description. For example, if the material includes a name such as the "XYZ Variable Life Insurance Policy," it is not necessary to include a statement indicating that the security is a variable life insurance policy. Considering the significant differences between mutual funds and variable products, the presentation must not represent or imply that the product being offered or its underlying account is a mutual fund.

(2) Liquidity

Considering that variable life insurance and variable annuities frequently involve substantial charges and/or tax penalties for early withdrawals, there must be no representation or implication that these are short-term, liquid investments. Presentations regarding liquidity or ease of access to investment values must be balanced by clear language describing the negative impact of early redemptions. Examples of this negative impact may be the payment of contingent deferred sales loads and tax penalties, and the fact that the investor may receive less than the original invested amount. With respect to variable life insurance, discussions of loans and withdrawals must explain their impact on cash values and death benefits.

(3) Claims About Guarantees

Insurance companies issuing variable life insurance and variable annuities provide a number of specific guarantees. For example, an insurance company may guarantee a minimum death benefit for a variable life insurance policy or the company may guarantee a schedule of payments to a variable annuity owner. Variable life insurance policies and variable annuities may also offer a fixed investment account which is guaranteed by the insurance company. The relative safety resulting from such a guarantee must not be overemphasized or exaggerated as it depends on the claims-paying ability of the issuing insurance company. There must be no representation or implication that a guarantee applies to the investment return or principal value of the separate account. Similarly, it must not be represented or implied that an insurance company's financial ratings apply to the separate account.

(b) Specific Considerations
(1) Fund Performance Predating Inclusion in the Variable Product

In order to show how an existing fund would have performed had it been an investment option within a variable life insurance policy or variable annuity, communications may contain the fund's historical performance that predates its inclusion in the policy or annuity. Such performance may only be used provided that no significant changes occurred to the fund at the time or after it became part of the variable product. However, communications may not include the performance of an existing fund for the purposes of promoting investment in a similar, but new, investment option (i.e., clone fund or model fund) available in a variable contract. The presentation of historical performance must conform to applicable Association and SEC standards. Particular attention must be given to including all elements of return and deducting applicable charges and expenses.

(2) Product Comparisons

A comparison of investment products may be used provided the comparison complies with applicable requirements set forth under Rule 2210. Particular attention must be paid to the specific standards regarding "comparisons" set forth in Rule 2210(d)(2)(M).

(3) Use of Rankings

A ranking which reflects the relative performance of the separate account or the underlying investment option may be included in advertisements and sales literature provided its use is consistent with the standards contained in IM-2210-3.

(4) Discussions

Regarding Insurance and Investment Features of Variable Life Insurance Communications on behalf of single premium variable life insurance may emphasize the investment features of the product provided an adequate explanation of the life insurance features is given. Sales material for other types of variable life insurance must provide a balanced discussion of these features.

(5) Hypothetical Illustrations of Rates of Return in Variable Life Insurance Sales Literature and Personalized Illustrations

(A)
(i) Hypothetical illustrations using assumed rates of return may be used to demonstrate the way a variable life insurance policy operates. The illustrations show how the performance of the underlying investment accounts could affect the policy cash value and death benefit. These illustrations may not be used to project or predict investment results as such forecasts are strictly prohibited by the Rules. The methodology and format of hypothetical illustrations must be modeled after the required illustrations in the prospectus.

(ii) An illustration may use any combination of assumed investment returns up to and including a gross rate of 12%, provided that one of the returns is a 0% gross rate. Although the maximum assumed rate of 12% may be acceptable, members are urged to assure that the maximum rate illustrated is reasonable considering market conditions and the available investment options. The purpose of the required 0% rate of return is to demonstrate how a lack of growth in the underlying investment accounts may affect policy values and to reinforce the hypothetical nature of the illustration.

(iii) The illustrations must reflect the maximum (guaranteed) mortality and expense charges associated with the policy for each assumed rate of return. Current charges may be illustrated in addition to the maximum charges.

(iv) Preceding any illustration there must be a prominent explanation that the purpose of the illustration is to show how the performance of the underlying investment accounts could affect the policy cash value and death benefit. The explanation must also state that the illustration is hypothetical and may not be used to project or predict investment results.

(B) In sales literature which includes hypothetical illustrations, member firms may provide a personalized illustration which reflects factors relating to the individual customer's circumstances. A personalized illustration may not contain a rate of return greater than 12% and must follow all of the standards set forth in subparagraph (A), above.

(C) In general, it is inappropriate to compare a variable life insurance policy with another product based on hypothetical performance as this type of presentation goes beyond the singular purpose of illustrating how the performance of the underlying investment accounts could affect the policy cash value and death benefit. It is permissible, however, to use a hypothetical illustration in order to compare a variable life insurance policy to a term policy with the difference in cost invested in a side product. The sole purpose of this type of illustration would be to demonstrate the concept of tax-deferred growth as a result of investing in the variable product. The following conditions must be met in order to make this type of comparison balanced and complete:

(i) the comparative illustration must be accompanied by an illustration which reflects the standards outlined in subparagraph (A), above;

(ii) the rate of return used in the comparative illustration must be no greater than 12%;

(iii) the rate of return assumed for the side product and the variable life policy must be the same;

(iv) the same fees deducted from the required prospectus illustration must be deducted from the comparative illustration;

(v) the side product must be illustrated using gross values which do not reflect the deduction of any fees; and,

(vi) the side product must not be identified or characterized as any specific investment or investment type.

[Adopted by SR-NASD-94-02 eff. Mar. 21, 1994.]

IM-2210-3. Use of Rankings in Investment Companies Advertisements and Sales Literature
(a) Definition of "Ranking Entity"

For purposes of the following guidelines, the term "Ranking Entity" refers to any entity that provides general information about investment companies to the public, that is independent of the investment company and its affiliates, and whose services are not procured by the investment company or any of its affiliates to assign the investment company a ranking.

(b) General Prohibition

Members shall not use in investment company advertisements, sales literature or general promotional material any investment company rankings other than those developed and produced by entities that meet the definition of "Ranking Entity," and which conform to the requirements of the guidelines herein.

(c) Required Disclosures

(1) Headlines/Prominent Statements
(A) A headline or other prominent statement must not state or imply that an investment company is the best performer in a category unless it is actually ranked first in the category.

(B) Prominent disclosure of the investment company's ranking, the total number of investment companies in the category, the name of the category, and the period on which the ranking is based (i.e., the length of the period and the ending date; or, the first day of the period and the ending date), must appear in close proximity to any headline or other prominent statement that refers to a ranking.

(2) All advertisements and sales literature containing an investment company ranking must disclose, with respect to the ranking:
(A) the name of the category (e.g., growth);

(B) the number of investment companies in the category;

(C) the name of the Ranking Entity;

(D) the length of the period and the ending date, or, the first day of the period and the ending date;

(E) criteria on which the ranking is based;

(F) for investment companies which assess front-end sales loads, whether the ranking takes into account sales charges;

(G) if the ranking is based on total return or the current SEC standardized yield, fees have been waived or expenses advanced during the period on which the ranking is based, and the waiver or advancement had a material effect on the total return or yield for that period, a statement to that effect; and

(H) the publisher of the ranking data (e.g., "ABC Magazine, June 1993"). The disclosure required by subparagraph (A) through (D) above, must be set forth prominently in the body of the advertisement or sales literature.

(3) If the investment company ranking consists of a symbol (e.g., a star system) rather than a number, the advertisement or sales literature also must disclose the meaning of the symbol (e.g., a four-star ranking indicates that the fund is in the top 30% of all investment companies).

(4) All advertisements and sales literature containing an investment company ranking must disclose that past performance is no guarantee of future results.

(d) Time Periods
(1) Any investment company ranking set forth in an advertisement or sales literature must be, at a minimum, current to the most recent calendar quarter ended, in the case of advertising, prior to the submission for publication, or, in the case of sales literature, prior to use.

(2) Except for money market mutual funds:

(A) advertisements and sales literature must not use any rankings other than rankings based on yield, based on a period of less than one year;

(B) an investment company ranking based on total return must be accompanied by rankings based on total return for a one year period for investment companies in existence for at least one year; one and five year periods for investment companies in existence for at least five years; and one, five and ten year periods for investment companies in existence for at least ten years supplied by the same Ranking Entity, relating to the same investment category, and based on the same time period; provided that, if rankings for such one, five and ten year time periods are not published by the Ranking Entity, then rankings representing short, medium and long term performance must be provided in place of rankings for the required time periods; and

(C) an investment company ranking based on yield may be based only on the current SEC standardized yield. An investment company ranking based on the current SEC standardized yield must be accompanied by rankings based on total return for a one year period for investment companies in existence for at least one year; one and five year periods for investment companies in existence for at least five years; and one, five and ten year periods for investment companies in existence for at least ten years supplied by the same Ranking Entity, relating to the same investment category, and based on the same time period; provided that, if rankings for such, one, five and ten year time periods are not published by the Ranking Entity, then rankings representing short, medium and long term performance must be provided in place of rankings for the required time periods.

(e) Categories
(1) The choice of category (including a subcategory of a broader category) on which the investment company ranking is based must be one that provides a sound basis for evaluating the performance of the investment company.

(2) Subject to the standards below, an investment company ranking must be based only on (A) a published category or subcategory created by a Ranking Entity or (B) a category or subcategory created by an investment company or an investment company affiliate, but based on the performance measurements of a Ranking Entity.

(3) When the investment company ranking is based on a subcategory, the advertisement or sales literature must disclose the name of the full category and the investment company's ranking and the number of investment companies in the full category. This requirement does not apply if the subcategory is (A) based solely on the investment objectives of the investment companies included and (B) created by a Ranking Entity. This disclosure could be included in a footnote.

(4) The advertisement or sales literature must not use any category or subcategory that is based upon the investment company's asset size (whether or not it has been created by a Ranking Entity).

(5) If an advertisement uses a category created by the investment company or an investment company affiliate, including a "subcategory" of a category established by a Ranking Entity, the advertisement must prominently disclose:

(A) the fact that the investment company or its affiliate has created the ranking category;

(B) the number of investment companies in the category;

(C) the basis for selecting the category; and

(D) the Ranking Entity that developed the research on which the ranking is based.

(6) An advertisement or sales literature containing a headline or other prominent statement that proclaims an investment company ranking created by an investment company or its affiliate must indicate, in close proximity to the headline or statement, that the investment company ranking is based upon a category created by the investment company or its affiliate.
(f) Multiple Class/Two-Tier Funds

Investment company rankings for more than one class of investment company with the same portfolio must be accompanied by prominent disclosure of the fact that the investment companies or classes have a common portfolio.

[Adopted by SR-NASD-93-69 eff. July 12, 1994; amended by SR-NASD-96-39 eff. Mar. 5, 1997.]

Selected Notices to Members: 86-41, 92-59, 93-18, 93-73, 93-76, 93-85, 93-87, 94-16, 94-25, 94-36, 94-60, 95-49, 95-74, 95-80.


IM-2210-4. Limitations on Use of Association's Name
(a) Use of Association Name

Members may indicate membership in the Association in conformity with Article XV, Section 2 of the NASD By-Laws in one or more of the following ways:

(1) A member may indicate membership in the Association in recognized trade directories or other similar types of business listings.

(2) A member may indicate membership in the Association in the member's advertisements and sales literature if such use is:

(A) separate from the regular text of the advertisement or sales literature;

(B) in a smaller type size and with less emphasis than that used for the member's name; and

(C) carries no direct or implied indication of Association approval of any security or service discussed in the advertisement or sales literature.

(3) A confirmation form for an over-the-counter transaction may include the following statement: "This transaction has been executed in conformity with the Uniform Practice Code of the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc.".

(4) A member may indicate membership in the Association on the door or entrance way of a member's principal office or a registered branch office in the following manner: "Member, National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc." or "Member of the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc.".

(b) Certification of Membership

Upon request to the Association, a member shall be entitled to receive an appropriate certification of membership, which may be displayed in the principal office or a registered branch office of the member. The certification shall remain the property of the Association and shall be returned by the member upon request of the NASD Board or the Chief Executive Officer of the Association.

(c) Fraudulent or Misleading Use Prohibited

A member or person associated with a member shall not use the name of the Association in a fraudulent or misleading manner in connection with the promotion or sale of any security or in connection with any other aspect of the member's business or imply orally, visually, or in writing that the Association endorses, indemnifies, or guarantees a member's business practices, selling methods, or class or type of securities offered.

(d) Violation of Rule 2110

An improper, fraudulent, or misleading use of the Association's name by a member or person associated with a member shall be deemed conduct inconsistent with high standards of commercial honor and just and equitable principles of trade in violation of Rule 2110.

[Adopted by SR-NASD-97-28 eff. Aug. 7, 1997; amended by SR-NASD-98-86 eff. Nov. 19, 1998.]