Investor Library

Through a series of one-page briefs, Back to Basics is designed to provide readers with an overview of complex investing topics through easy-to-understand language in a simple format.

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This brochure explains the differences between brokers, investment advisers, and financial planners and identifies questions investors should ask themselves and potential providers before making a choice.

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NASAA has joined with Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) and the SEC’s Office of Investor Education and Advocacy in urging all investors to establish a trusted contact — a person authorized by you to serve as layer of safety for your investment account. Your financial firm may contact your trusted contact in limited circumstances, such as if there is a concern about activity in your account and your firm has been unable to get in touch with you.

Learn more about trusted contacts.

This flier explains the red flags of pig butchering, affinity fraud, and romance scams and how to report these scams. It has been designed by the NASAA Investor Education Senior Outreach Project Group.

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Designed for seniors, this booklet from the Canadian Securities Administrators outlines the various ways in which you could be approached with an investment fraud and how you can protect your money. 

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To encourage greater savings for higher education expenses, federal and state lawmakers have developed innovative programs, such as qualified tuition programs, to make higher education financially accessible to more Americans. This information is adapted from a joint publication by NASAA; the College Savings Plan Network, an affiliate of the National Association of State Treasurers; and the Investment Company Institute, the national association of the investment company industry. 

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The best way to track your brokerage account activity and performance is to carefully review your monthly/quarterly statements. This document provides a detailed “snapshot” of the value of, and the transactions that have occurred in, your account during the statement
period. They are mailed quarterly or monthly and are available online, too. 

English | Spanish

Make copies of this form to have handy and use it to make notes of conversations with your salesperson or adviser. Be sure to record details of the recommendations you receive and the instructions you give. Keep the notes in your files.

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World Investor Week is a global campaign to raise awareness about the importance of investor education and protection. In October, investors, investment professionals, teachers, parents, researchers, and others are encouraged to make a special effort to promote investor education.

• Investor Bulletin: Investor Resilience – World Investor Week 2022

• Live “Stock” Adventure (middle school)
  A fun and educational card-based activity for middle school students designed to raise students’ awareness of the value of saving and investing. 
• Make it Count
  This resource for parents and teachers provides activities and information to help incorporate youth money management lessons at home or in the classroom. (Canadian Securities Administrators)
• InvestEd STARS
  The STARS (Students Tracking and Researching the Stock Market) program is an interactive curriculum for Oklahoma teachers that emphasizes the importance of investing as a long-range tool, not a get-rich-quick tool, and fraud awareness. (Oklahoma Securities Commission and the University of Oklahoma)