Series 66 for Bankers and Wealth Managers
- April 1, 2025
- Posted by: 'FINRA Exam Mastery'
- Category: Finance
🧾 Series 66 for Bankers and Wealth Managers
📘 How the Series 66 Enhances Careers in Advisory and Wealth Management Roles
If you’re a banker, financial consultant, or wealth manager looking to expand your service offerings and deepen your client relationships, the Series 66 license may be the perfect next step. This powerful credential combines state-level securities registration with investment advisory qualifications, making it essential for professionals who offer both securities products and investment advice.
🎯 1. What Is the Series 66 License?
The Series 66 (Uniform Combined State Law Exam) is designed to qualify individuals as:
- Securities Agents (replacing Series 63)
- Investment Adviser Representatives (IARs) (replacing Series 65)
❗ Prerequisite: You must also pass the Series 7 exam, which covers product knowledge. The Series 66 assumes you already have that foundation.
🎯 2. Why Bankers and Wealth Managers Should Consider the Series 66
✅ Expand Your Advisory Role
With the Series 66, you can:
- Offer fee-based advisory services (not just commission-based sales).
- Create customized financial plans, asset allocations, and investment strategies.
- Manage client portfolios under fiduciary standards.
✅ Meet Client Demand
Today’s clients want more than product recommendations. They expect:
- Goal-oriented advice
- Tax-aware investing
- Long-term portfolio planning The Series 66 allows you to legally offer all of that under most state laws.
✅ Compliance with State Regulations
Bankers moving into advisory or brokerage hybrid roles often face state-level registration hurdles. The Series 66 satisfies:
- Uniform Securities Act requirements
- Blue sky laws for multi-state operations
🎯 3. Career Opportunities with the Series 66
Holding both Series 7 + 66 opens doors to:
- Wealth Manager
- Private Banker
- Investment Adviser Representative (IAR)
- Financial Planner
- RIA Associate or Hybrid Adviser
- High Net-Worth Client Strategist
For bankers, this means transitioning from selling products like CDs and mutual funds to providing portfolio-level advice—especially for affluent clients and trusts.
🎯 4. What the Series 66 Exam Covers
The exam focuses on law, ethics, and advisory services rather than product knowledge. Topics include:
Topic | Coverage Area |
---|---|
Economic Factors and Business Info | Macro/micro trends, valuation, forecasting |
Investment Vehicle Characteristics | Stocks, bonds, funds, alternatives |
Client Investment Recommendations | Suitability, portfolio strategy, rebalancing |
Laws, Regulations, and Guidelines | Uniform Securities Act, fiduciary duty, ethics |
- Questions: 100 scored, plus 10 unscored
- Time Limit: 150 minutes
- Passing Score: 73%
🎯 5. Common Use Case: Series 7 + 66 in Banking
Let’s say you’re a private banker managing a book of affluent clients. With Series 66, you can:
- Discuss full wealth strategies including risk tolerance and retirement goals
- Provide non-commissioned investment advice
- Transition into a Registered Investment Adviser (RIA) structure or hybrid model
- Legally charge advisory fees in most U.S. states
Without the Series 66, your advice would be limited to product-level discussions under broker-dealer compliance rules.
🚀 Conclusion: Series 66 Empowers Advisory Professionals
If you’re currently in a banking, investment, or wealth management role, the Series 66 gives you the legal standing and credibility to evolve into a full-service adviser. When paired with the Series 7, it becomes a powerful combination for growing your practice and deepening client relationships—especially in fee-based and multi-state advisory settings.
🎓 Ready to earn your Series 66?
Get expert-led prep materials, quizzes, and success strategies at
👉 https://finra-exam-mastery.com
Build your advisory career with confidence. Series 66 is the next step to becoming the trusted adviser your clients need.