Registered advisers should take note that on June 17th, the SEC adjusted the dollar amount thresholds for clients of registered advisers to be deemed to be “qualified clients” under rule 205-3 of the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, which permits registered investment advisers to charge performance-based fees to such clients.
SEC Adopts Higher Net Worth Threshold for Qualified Clients under the Advisers Act
In an order dated June 14, 2016, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) adopted its prior proposal to increase the net worth threshold for “qualified clients” under Rule 205-3 of the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 (the Advisers Act) from $2 million to $2.1 million. This adjustment is being made pursuant to a five-year indexing adjustment required by §205(e) of the Advisers Act.
SEC Proposes Higher Net Worth Threshold for Qualified Clients under the Advisers Act
On Wednesday, May 18, 2016, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) proposed to increase the net worth threshold for qualified clients from $2 million to $2.1 million. This proposed adjustment is being made pursuant to a five-year indexing adjustment required by §205(e) of the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 (the Advisers Act), as amended by §418 of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2010.
Investment advisers registered with the SEC are prohibited by §205(a)(1) of the Advisers Act from entering into, extending, or renewing any advisory contract which provides for compensation to the investment adviser on the basis of a share of capital gains upon or capital appreciation of the funds or any portion of the funds of the client (e.g. a performance-based fee like carried interest). An exemption from this prohibition is provided by Rule 205-3 under the Advisers Act for clients that meet the definition of a qualified client found in the rule.