CHAPTER 4. General Provisions [25240. - 25256.]

Cal. Corporations Code - CORP 4.

in effect

Cal. Corporations Code - CORP § 25240. Section 25240.

Every applicant for a certificate as a broker-dealer or an investment adviser (other than a California corporation), and every investment adviser subject to Section 25230.1, shall file with the commissioner, in such form as the commissioner by rule prescribes, an irrevocable consent appointing the commissioner or the commissioner’s successor in office to be the person’s attorney to receive service of any lawful process in any noncriminal suit, action or proceeding against the person or the person’s successor, executor, or administrator, which arises under this law or any rule or order hereunder after the consent has been filed, with the same force and validity as if served personally on the person filing the consent. A person who has filed such a consent in connection with a previous application under this law (or under any prior law if the application states that such consent is still effective), or a person who has filed such a consent in connection with a previous notice filed under Section 25230.1, need not file another. Service may be made by leaving a copy of the process in the office of the commissioner, but it is not effective unless (1) the plaintiff, who may be the commissioner in a suit, action or proceeding instituted by the commissioner, forthwith sends notice of the service and a copy of the process by registered or certified mail to the defendant or respondent at the person’s last address on file with the commissioner, and (2) the plaintiff’s affidavit of compliance with this section is filed in the case on or before the return day of the process, if any, or within such further time as the court allows.

Cal. Corporations Code - CORP § 25241. Section 25241.

(a) Every broker-dealer and every investment adviser licensed under Section 25230 shall make and keep accounts, correspondence, memorandums, papers, books, and other records and shall file financial and other reports as the commissioner by rule requires, subject to the limitations of Section 15(h) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 with respect to broker-dealers and Section 222 of the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 with respect to investment advisers. (b) All records so required shall be preserved for the time specified in the rule. (c) All records referred to in this section are subject at any time and from time to time to reasonable periodic, special, or other examinations by the commissioner, within or without this state, as the commissioner deems necessary or appropriate in the public interest or for the protection of investors. (d) For the purpose of avoiding unnecessary duplications of examinations, the commissioner, insofar as he or she deems it practicable in administering this section, may cooperate with the securities administrators of other states, the Securities and Exchange Commission and any national securities exchange or national securities association. (e) Unless otherwise provided by rule, every investment adviser subject to Section 25230 and every broker-dealer, including an applicant for a license under Section 25210 or 25230, shall furnish an authorization for disclosure to the commissioner of financial records of the licensee’s broker-dealer or investment adviser business pursuant to Section 7473 of the Government Code.

Cal. Corporations Code - CORP § 25242. Section 25242.

(a) Surrender of a certificate as a broker-dealer or investment adviser becomes effective 30 days after receipt of an application to surrender that certificate or within a shorter period of time as the commissioner may determine, unless a revocation or suspension proceeding is pending when the application is filed or a proceeding to revoke or suspend or to impose conditions upon the withdrawal is instituted within 30 days after the application is filed. If a proceeding is pending or instituted, withdrawal becomes effective at a time and upon any conditions as the commissioner by order determines. (b) If the commissioner finds that any broker-dealer or investment adviser is no longer in existence, or has ceased to do business as a broker-dealer or investment adviser, or is subject to an adjudication of mental incompetence or to the control of a committee or conservator or guardian, or cannot be located after reasonable search, the commissioner may by order summarily revoke the certificate of that broker-dealer or investment adviser. (c) The commissioner may summarily suspend or revoke the certificate of a broker-dealer or investment adviser if he or she (1) fails to pay any fee required by Section 25608 or imposed pursuant to Section 25217, 25218 or 25236 within 10 days after notice by the commissioner that the fee is due and unpaid, (2) fails to file any report required under Section 25241 within 10 days after notice by the commissioner that the report is due, (3) fails to maintain any bond required by subdivision (e) of Section 25216 or by Section 25237, (4) fails to file an application pursuant to subdivision (a) of Section 25211 when required by subdivision (c) of that section, within the time specified therein or within 10 days after notice by the commissioner that the application is required, whichever last occurs, (5) fails to maintain any capital required by subdivision (c) of Section 25216 or by Section 25237, or (6) fails to maintain records as required by Section 25241.

Cal. Corporations Code - CORP § 25243. Section 25243.

It is unlawful for any person holding a certificate as a broker-dealer or investment adviser under this part to represent or imply in any manner whatsoever that such person has been sponsored, recommended, or approved or that the person’s abilities or qualifications have in any respect been passed upon by the commissioner. Nothing in this section prohibits a statement (other than in a paid advertisement) that a person holds a certificate under this law, if such statement is true in fact and if the effect of such licensing is not misrepresented.

Cal. Corporations Code - CORP § 25243.5. Section 25243.5.

(a) A broker-dealer or investment adviser, or an agent or representative thereof, shall not use a senior-specific certification, credential, or professional designation in connection with the offer, sale, or purchase of securities, or the provision of advice as to the value of or the advisability of investing in, purchasing, or selling securities, either directly or indirectly or through publications or writings or by issuing or promulgating analyses or reports relating to securities, that indicates or implies that the broker-dealer, investment adviser, or an agent or representative thereof, has special certification or training in advising or servicing senior citizens or retirees, in such a way as to mislead any person. (b) The prohibited use of these certifications, credentials, or professional designations includes, but is not limited to, the following: (1) The use of a certification, credential, or professional designation by a person who has not actually earned or is otherwise ineligible to use the certification, credential, or designation. (2) The use of a nonexistent or self-conferred certification, credential, or professional designation. (3) The use of a certification, credential, or professional designation that indicates or implies a level of occupational qualifications obtained through education, training, or experience that the person using the certification, credential, or professional designation does not have. (4) The use of a certification, credential, or professional designation that was obtained from a designating, credentialing, or certifying organization where any of the following apply: (A) The organization is primarily engaged in the business of instruction in sales marketing. (B) The organization does not have reasonable standards or procedures for assuring the competency of individuals to whom it grants a certification, credential, or professional designation. (C) The organization does not have reasonable standards or procedures for monitoring and disciplining individuals with a certification, credential, or professional designation for improper or unethical conduct. (D) The organization does not have reasonable continuing education requirements for individuals with a certification, credential, or professional designation in order to maintain the certificate, credential, or professional designation. (c) There is a rebuttable presumption that a designating, credentialing, or certifying organization is not disqualified solely for the purposes of paragraph (4) of subdivision (b) when the organization has been accredited by the American National Standards Institute, the National Commission for Certifying Agencies, or an organization that is on the United States Department of Education’s list entitled “Accrediting Agencies Recognized for Title IV Purposes” and the certification, credential, or professional designation issued therefrom does not primarily apply to sales and/or marketing. (d) In determining whether a combination of words, or an acronym standing for a combination of words, constitutes a certification, credential, or professional designation indicating or implying that a person has special certification or training in advising or serving senior citizens or retirees, factors to be considered shall include both of the following: (1) Use of one or more word such as “senior,” “retirement,” “elder,” or like words combined with one or more words such as “certified,” “registered,” “chartered,” “adviser,” “specialist,” “consultant,” “planner,” or like words, in the name of the certification, credential, or professional designation or credential. (2) The manner in which those words are combined. (e) This section shall not apply to the use of a job title by a person within an organization that is licensed or registered by the Department of Financial Protection and Innovation or a federal financial services regulatory agency, when that job title indicates seniority or standing within the organization, or specifies a person’s area of specialization within the organization. For the purposes of this subdivision, federal financial services regulatory agency includes, but is not limited to, an agency that regulates brokers or dealers, investment advisers, or investment companies as described under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (15 U.S.C. Sec. 809-1 et seq.). (f) (1) This section shall not apply to a broker or agent who is licensed by the Department of Insurance and is in compliance with the requirements of Section 787.1 of the Insurance Code. (2) This subdivision shall be operative only if Assembly Bill 2150 of the 2007–08 Regular Session is chaptered and becomes effective and that bill adds Section 787.1 to the Insurance Code. (g) This section shall become operative on July 1, 2009.

Cal. Corporations Code - CORP § 25244. Section 25244.

Any person whose certificate as a broker-dealer or investment adviser has been suspended or revoked shall immediately surrender such certificate to the commissioner.

Cal. Corporations Code - CORP § 25245. Section 25245.

It is unlawful for any person willfully to make any untrue statement of a material fact in any application, notice, or report filed with the commissioner under this part, or willfully to omit to state in any such application, notice, or report any material fact which is required to be stated therein.

Cal. Corporations Code - CORP § 25246. Section 25246.

It is unlawful for any agent or broker-dealer to require, as a condition to the purchase or sale of securities for and in the name of a married person, that the prior consent or authorization of the spouse of that person be obtained.

Cal. Corporations Code - CORP § 25247. Section 25247.

(a) Upon written or oral request, the commissioner shall make available to any person the information specified in Section 7929.005 of the Government Code and made available through the Public Disclosure Program of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority with respect to any broker-dealer or agent licensed or regulated under this part. The commissioner shall also make available the current license status and the year of issuance of the license of a broker-dealer. Any information disclosed pursuant to this subdivision shall constitute a public record. Notwithstanding any other law, the commissioner may disclose either orally or in writing that information pursuant to this subdivision. There shall be no liability on the part of, and no cause of action of any nature shall arise against, the state, the Department of Financial Protection and Innovation, the Commissioner of Financial Protection and Innovation, or any officer, agent, or employee of the state or the Department of Financial Protection and Innovation for the release of any false or unauthorized information, unless the release of that information was done with knowledge and malice. (b) Any broker-dealer or agent licensed or regulated under this part shall, upon request, deliver a written notice to any client when a new account is opened stating that information about the license status or disciplinary record of a broker-dealer or an agent may be obtained from the Division of Corporations, or from any other source that provides substantially similar information. (c) The notice provided under subdivision (b) shall contain the office location or telephone number where the information may be obtained. (d) A broker-dealer or agent is exempt from providing the notice required under subdivision (b) if a person who does not have a financial relationship with the broker-dealer or agent, requests only general operational information such as the nature of the broker-dealer’s or agent’s business, office location, hours of operation, basic services, and fees, but does not solicit advice regarding investments or other services offered. (e) Upon written or oral request, the commissioner shall make available to any person the disciplinary records maintained on the Investment Adviser Registration Depository and made available through the Investment Adviser Public Disclosure internet website as to any investment adviser, investment adviser representative, or associated person of an investment adviser licensed or regulated under this part. The commissioner shall also make available the current license status and the year of issuance of the license of an investment adviser. Any information disclosed pursuant to this subdivision shall constitute a public record. Notwithstanding any other law, the commissioner may disclose that information either orally or in writing pursuant to this subdivision. There shall be no liability on the part of, and no cause of action of any nature shall arise against, the state, the Department of Financial Protection and Innovation, the Commissioner of Financial Protection and Innovation, or any officer, agent, or employee of the state or the Department of Financial Protection and Innovation for the release of any false or unauthorized information, unless the release of that information was done with knowledge and malice. (f) Section 461 of the Business and Professions Code shall not apply to the Division of Corporations when using a national, uniform application adopted or approved for use by the Securities and Exchange Commission, the North American Securities Administrators Association, or the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority that is required for participation in the Central Registration Depository or the Investment Adviser Registration Depository. (g) This section shall not require the disclosure of criminal history record information maintained by the Federal Bureau of Investigation pursuant to Section 534 of Title 28 of the United States Code, and the rules thereunder, or information not otherwise subject to disclosure under the Information Practices Act of 1977.

Cal. Corporations Code - CORP § 25248. Section 25248.

(a) If the commissioner finds, as a result of any examination or investigation or from any report made to the commissioner, that any person subject to this part, other than an investment adviser subject to Section 25230.1, is in an insolvent condition, or is conducting a securities, broker-dealer, or investment advisory business in such an unsafe, injurious, or unauthorized manner as to render further operations hazardous to the public or to customers, the commissioner may, by an order addressed to and served by registered or certified mail or by personal service on that person and on any other person having in his or her possession or control any client funds, trust funds, or other property deposited with that person, direct discontinuance of the disbursement of client or trust funds by the parties or any of them, the receipt of client or trust funds, or other business operations. No person having in his or her possession any of these funds shall be liable for failure to comply with the order unless he or she has received written notice of the order. Subject to subdivision (b), the order shall remain in effect until set aside by the commissioner, in whole or in part, the person is the subject of an order for relief in bankruptcy, or pursuant to Section 25253, the commissioner has assumed possession of the broker-dealer or investment adviser. (b) Within 15 days from the date of an order pursuant to subdivision (a), the person may request a hearing under the Administrative Procedure Act (Chapter 5 (commencing with Section 11500) of Part 1 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code). Upon receipt of a request, the matter shall be set for hearing to commence within 30 days after that receipt unless the person subject to this division consents to a later date. If no hearing is requested within 15 days after the mailing or service of the notice and none is ordered by the commissioner, the failure to request a hearing shall constitute a waiver of the right to a hearing. Neither the request for a hearing nor the hearing itself shall stay the order issued by the commissioner under subdivision (a).

Cal. Corporations Code - CORP § 25249. Section 25249.

If, after examination or investigation, the commissioner has reasonable grounds to believe that any broker-dealer or investment adviser is violating or has violated any law or rule binding upon it, the commissioner shall, by written order addressed to the broker-dealer or investment adviser, direct the discontinuance of the violation. The order shall be effective immediately, but shall not become final except in accordance with the provisions of Section 25251.

Cal. Corporations Code - CORP § 25250. Section 25250.

If, after examination or investigation, the commissioner has reasonable grounds to believe that any broker-dealer or investment adviser, other than an investment adviser subject to Section 25230.1, is conducting or has conducted business in an unsafe or injurious manner, the commissioner shall, by written order addressed to the broker-dealer or investment adviser, direct the discontinuance of the unsafe or injurious practices. The order shall be effective immediately, but shall not become final except in accordance with the provisions of Section 25251.

Cal. Corporations Code - CORP § 25251. Section 25251.

(a) No order issued pursuant to Section 25249 or 25250 may become final except after notice to the affected broker-dealer or investment adviser of the commissioner’s intention to make the order final and of the reasons for the finding. The commissioner shall also notify the broker-dealer or investment adviser that upon receiving a request the matter shall be set for hearing to commence within 15 business days after receipt of the request. The broker-dealer or investment adviser may consent to have the hearing commence at a later date. If no hearing is requested within 30 days after the mailing or service of the required notice, and none is ordered by the commissioner, the order may become final without a hearing and the broker-dealer or investment adviser shall immediately discontinue the practices named in the order. If a hearing is requested or ordered, it shall be held in accordance with the provisions of the Administrative Procedure Act (Chapter 5 (commencing with Section 11500) of Part 1 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code), and the commissioner shall have all of the powers granted under that act. If, upon the conclusion of the hearing, it appears to the commissioner that the broker-dealer or investment adviser is conducting or has conducted business in an unsafe and injurious manner or is violating or has violated any law of this state, or any rule binding upon it, the commissioner shall make the order of discontinuance final and the broker-dealer or investment adviser shall immediately discontinue the practices named in the order. (b) The broker-dealer or investment adviser may within 10 days after an order is made final commence an action to restrain enforcement of the order. If the enforcement of the order is not enjoined within 10 days by the court in which the action is brought, the broker-dealer or investment adviser shall comply with the order.

Cal. Corporations Code - CORP § 25252. Section 25252.

The commissioner may, after appropriate notice and opportunity for hearing, by orders, levy administrative penalties as follows: (a) Any person subject to this division, other than a broker-dealer or investment adviser, who willfully violates any provision of this division, or who willfully violates any rule or order adopted or issued pursuant to this division, is liable for administrative penalties of not more than one thousand dollars ($1,000) for the first violation, and not more than two thousand five hundred dollars ($2,500) for each subsequent violation. (b) Any broker-dealer or investment adviser that willfully violates any provision of this division to which it is subject, or that willfully violates any rule or order adopted or issued pursuant to this division and to which it is subject, is liable for administrative penalties of not more than five thousand dollars ($5,000) for the first violation, not more than ten thousand dollars ($10,000) for the second violation, and not more than fifteen thousand dollars ($15,000) for each subsequent violation. (c) The administrative penalties shall be collected by the commissioner and paid into the State Corporations Fund. (d) The administrative penalties available to the commissioner pursuant to this section are not exclusive, and may be sought and employed in any combination with civil, criminal, and other administrative remedies deemed advisable by the commissioner to enforce the provisions of this division. (e) After the exhaustion of the review procedures provided in accordance with the provisions of the Administrative Procedure Act, Chapter 5 (commencing with Section 11500) of Part 1 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code, the commissioner may apply to the appropriate superior court for a judgment in the amount of the administrative penalty and costs awarded in a final decision and order compelling the respondent, or the named or cited person, to comply with the final decision of the commissioner brought under this division. The application shall include a certified copy of the final decision of the commissioner and shall constitute a sufficient showing to warrant the issuance of the judgment and order from superior court.

Cal. Corporations Code - CORP § 25253. Section 25253.

(a) Whenever it appears to the commissioner that any of the conditions specified in subdivision (b) has occurred with respect to any broker-dealer or investment adviser subject to this division, the commissioner shall dispatch a written notice demanding remedial action and a summary of findings, as referred to in Section 25248, to the principal officer of that broker-dealer or investment adviser or to its manager of record. (b) The conditions that require the commissioner to commence remedial action against a broker-dealer or investment adviser pursuant to subdivision (a) includes any of the following: (1) The broker-dealer or investment adviser is in an insolvent condition. (2) It is conducting its securities, broker-dealer, or investment advisory business in an unsafe or unauthorized manner. (3) It has violated any rule or order adopted or issued pursuant to this division that is or has been necessary for the protection of any investor. (4) It refuses to submit its books, papers, and affairs to the inspection of any examiner or investigator. (5) It neglects or refuses to observe any order of the commissioner made pursuant to this division that is or has been necessary for the protection of any investor, within the time specified therein, unless the enforcement of the order is restrained in a proceeding brought by the broker-dealer or investment adviser. (6) It has violated any provision of this division or any similar regulatory scheme of this state or a foreign jurisdiction relating to the protection of any investor. (7) Any officer, director, stockholder, or partner of the broker-dealer or investment adviser, or attorney-in-fact of the broker-dealer or investment adviser has embezzled, misappropriated, or willfully diverted the assets or client or trust funds of the broker-dealer or investment adviser. (8) It has permitted its capital to be lower than the minimum required by law, including any rule or order adopted or issued pursuant to this division. (9) It has failed to comply with the bonding requirements of Chapter 2 (commencing with Section 25210) or Chapter 3 (commencing with Section 25230) of this part. (c) The broker-dealer or investment adviser shall be afforded a reasonable opportunity to comply or otherwise effect those remedies specified in the written notice or any other remedies that the commissioner may deem acceptable. However, if the broker-dealer or investment adviser fails to comply within five days of receipt of the notice, or as soon as it appears to the commissioner that no compliance is possible, or in the event prompt delivery of the written notice is impossible, the commissioner may take possession of the property and business of the broker-dealer or investment adviser and retain possession until the broker-dealer or investment adviser, subject to those conditions that the commissioner may prescribe, resumes its business or its affairs are finally liquidated. (d) Whenever the commissioner has taken possession of any broker-dealer or investment adviser, the broker-dealer or investment adviser, within 10 days after the taking, may apply to the superior court to enjoin further proceedings in any California county or city and county in which the California office or offices of the broker-dealer or investment adviser is located. The court, after ordering the commissioner to show cause why further proceedings should not be enjoined and after a hearing and a determination of the facts upon the merits, may dismiss the application or enjoin the commissioner from further proceedings and direct the commissioner to surrender the property and business to the broker-dealer or investment adviser, or make any further order that may be just. (e) If any facts occur that would entitle the commissioner under subdivision (b) to take possession of the property, business, and assets of a broker-dealer or investment adviser, the commissioner may appoint a conservator of the broker-dealer or investment adviser and require the conservator to post a bond. The conservator, under the direction of the commissioner, shall take possession of the property, business, and assets of the broker-dealer or investment adviser and take any action that the conservator deems necessary to conserve the assets of the broker-dealer or investment adviser pending further disposition of its business. The conservator shall retain possession until the property, business, and assets of the broker-dealer or investment adviser are returned to the broker-dealer or investment adviser or until further order of the commissioner. (f) Subject to the other provisions of this section, a conservator, while in possession of the property, business, and assets of a broker-dealer or investment adviser, has the same powers and rights and is subject to the same duties and obligations as the commissioner while in possession of the property, business, and assets of a broker-dealer or investment adviser. During that time, the rights of a broker-dealer or investment adviser and of all persons with respect thereto, subject to the other provisions of this section, are the same as if the commissioner had taken possession of the property, business, and assets. A conservator, while in possession of the property, business, and assets of a broker-dealer or investment adviser shall have all the rights, powers, and privileges of the broker-dealer or investment adviser, its officers and directors or partners. All expenses of the conservatorship shall be paid out of the assets of the broker-dealer or investment adviser and shall be a lien thereon which shall be prior to any other lien. (g) An investment adviser subject to Section 25230.1 is not subject to this section, unless that investment adviser or persons acting on behalf of that investment adviser committed any of the acts of fraud or deceit set forth in paragraph (7) of subdivision (b).

Cal. Corporations Code - CORP § 25254. Section 25254.

(a) If the commissioner determines it is in the public interest, the commissioner may include in any administrative action brought under this part a claim for ancillary relief, including, but not limited to, a claim for restitution or disgorgement or damages on behalf of the persons injured by the act or practice constituting the subject matter of the action, and the administrative law judge shall have jurisdiction to award additional relief. (b) In an administrative action brought under this part, the commissioner is entitled to recover costs, which in the discretion of the administrative law judge may include an amount representing reasonable attorney’s fees and investigative expenses for the services rendered, for deposit into the State Corporations Fund for the use of the Department of Financial Protection and Innovation. (c) After the exhaustion of the review procedures provided in accordance with the provisions of the Administrative Procedure Act, Chapter 5 (commencing with Section 11500) of Part 1 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code, the commissioner may apply to the appropriate superior court for a judgment in the amount of the ancillary relief and costs awarded in a final decision and order compelling the respondent, or the named or cited person, to comply with the final decision of the commissioner brought under this division. The application shall include a certified copy of the final decision of the commission and shall constitute a sufficient showing to warrant the issuance of the judgment and order from superior court.

Cal. Corporations Code - CORP § 25255. Section 25255.

The civil, criminal, and administrative remedies available to the commissioner pursuant to this division are not exclusive, and may be sought and employed in any combination deemed advisable by the commissioner to enforce the provisions of this division.

Cal. Corporations Code - CORP § 25256. Section 25256.

(a) For any broker-dealer or investment adviser, a disciplinary action taken by the State of California, another state, an agency of the federal government, or another country for an action substantially related to the activity regulated under this division may be grounds for disciplinary action by the commissioner. A certified copy of the record of the disciplinary action taken against the licensee by the State of California, other state, agency of the federal government, or other country shall be conclusive evidence of the events related therein. (b) Nothing in this section precludes the commissioner from applying a specific statutory provision in this division providing for discipline against a broker-dealer or investment adviser, as a result of disciplinary action taken against a broker-dealer or an investment adviser, by the State of California, another state, an agency of the federal government, or another country.

Source: CA Legislative Counsel Bulk DataURL: https://downloads.leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/pubinfo_2025.zipFetched: 6/27/2026