•    Is this investment product registered with the SEC and my state securities agency?

•    Does this investment match my investment goals? Why is this investment suitable for me?

•    How will this investment make money? (Dividends? Interest? Capital gains?) Specifically, what must happen for this investment to increase in value? (For example, increase in interest rates, real estate values, or market share?)

•    What are the total fees to purchase, maintain, and sell this investment? Are there ways that I can reduce or avoid some of the fees that I'll pay, such as purchasing the investment directly?  After all the fees are paid, how much does this investment have to increase in value before I break even?

•    How liquid is this investment? How easy would it be to sell if I needed my money right away?

•    What are the specific risks associated with this investment? What is the maximum I could lose? (For example, what will be the effect of changing interest rates, economic recession, high competition, or stock market ups and downs?)

•    How long has the company been in business? Is its management experienced? Has management been successful in the past? Have they ever made money for investors before?

•    Is the company making money? How are they doing compared to their competitors?

•    Where can I get more information about this investment? Can I get the latest reports filed by the company with the SEC: a prospectus or offering circular, or the latest annual report and financial statements?

•    How has this fund performed over the long run? Where can I get an independent evaluation of this fund?

•    What specific risks are associated with this fund?

•    What type of securities does the fund hold? How often does the portfolio change?

•    Does this mutual fund invest in any type of securities that could cause the value to go up or down rapidly in a short period of time? (For example, derivatives?)

•    How does the fund perform compared to other funds of the same type or to an index of the same type of investment?

•    How much will the fund charge me when I buy shares? What ongoing fees are charged?  How much will the fund charge me when I sell shares?

•    Is the fund portable? If I move my assets to another firm, will I be able to continue holding the fund or will I need to liquidate it?

•    Are you registered with our state securities regulator? Have you ever been disciplined by the SEC, a state regulator, or other organization (such as the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) or one of the stock exchanges)?

•    How long has your firm been in business? How many arbitration awards have been filed against your firm?

•    What training and experience do you have? How long have you been in the business? What other firms have you been registered with? What is the status of those firms today?

•    Have you personally been involved in any arbitration cases? What happened?

•    What is your investment philosophy?

•    Describe your typical client. Can you provide me with some names and telephone numbers of your long term clients?

•    How do you get paid? By commission? Amount of assets you manage? Another method?

•    Do I have any choices on how to pay you? Should I pay you by the transaction? Or a flat fee regardless of how many transactions I have?

•    Do you make more if I buy this stock (or bond, or mutual fund) rather than another? If you weren't making extra money, would your recommendation be the same?

•    Are you participating in a sales contest? Is this purchase really in my best interest, or are you trying to win a prize?

•    You've told me what it costs me to buy this stock (or bond, or mutual fund); how much will I receive if I sell it today?

•    Where do you send my order to be executed? Can we get a better price if we send it to another market?

•    If your financial professional changes firms, ask: Did they pay you to change firms? Do you get anything for bringing me along?

•    How frequently do I get statements? Do I understand what the statement tells me?

•    Is the return on my investment meeting my expectations and goals? Is this investment performing as I was led to believe?

•    How much money will I get back if I sell my investment today?

•    How much am I paying in commission or fees?

•    Have my goals changed? If so, are my investments still suitable?

•    What criteria will I use to decide when to sell?