Series 79 Sponsorship / M&A Licensing

As an independent broker-dealer, Burch & Company receives inquiries from professionals who specialize in many different sectors of the financial industry seeking a well reputed firm with whom to associate.  While there are many different types of activities that require securities licensing, the Investment Banker and Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A) Advisor are the most closely associated professions as it relates to the Series 79 examination.  Experienced M&A Advisors whose practice has grown and is starting to involve securities-related work or advisors leaving a large investment bank often seek out firms like Burch & Company for Series 79 sponsorship.

The Series 79 Exam

The Series 79 exam is also referred to as the Limited Representative Investment Banking exam.  The exam was introduced in 2009 from the broader, more well-known Series 7 exam, General Securities Representative.  The Series 79 is focused on the investment banking area of expertise and was created by industry professionals.  In order to sit for the Series 79 exam, a professional will need to be sponsored by a broker-dealer.  Please request our White Paper for more information on the process of registration.

The areas that are tested by the exam have been broken up into 4 main categories which represent the main job functions of an investment banker.  The categories are:

1. Collection, Analysis and Evaluation of Data
2. Underwriting/New Financing Transaction, Types of Offerings and Registration of Securities
3. Mergers and Acquisitions, Tender Offerings and Registration of Securities
4. General Securities Industry Regulations

Once an individual is registered and licensed then they are permitted to advise on &/or facilitate the following as described on FINRA.org:

• Debt and equity offerings (private placement or public offering)
• Mergers and acquisitions
• Tender offers
• Financial restructurings
• Asset Sales
• Divestitures or other corporate reorganizations
• Business combination transactions

The Series 63 Exam

While the Series 79 allows for the aforementioned activities, a candidate is also required to have an understanding of securities regulations and ethics at the state level.  For this purpose, the Series 63 Uniform Securities State Law Examination is a 60 question exam that goes hand in hand with the Series 79.

Burch & Company has sponsored many professionals for the Series 79 and Series 63 examinations as part of their registration process.  We have worked with several vendors and can help you in choosing the right study materials needed to pass these exams.  If you are an experienced M&A Advisor and feel that it is time to be licensed but still need to pass the exam, then feel free to give us a call to see how we can help.

You can find more information regarding the Series 79 and 63 exams at Link to FINRA’s Examination Explanations.