Use the call you actually have
The words in the search box are a function name. This hub runs that function against the adviser and firm records on Best Investors. Read the name, open that page, and type the argument the function expects.
- Match the function name to a page below.
- If the name says search, type a firm name or a person name. Leave the tool name out of the box.
- If the name says profile, detail, or get, type the CRD number only.
- Open the result. The firm page is
/firm/{id}/. The person page is/investor/{id}/. - Copy the CRD from that page when the next call asks for a number.
- Confirm the same CRD on SEC IAPD. For a broker record, confirm on FINRA BrokerCheck.
Name search rules
A name match uses the start of the stored name. Type Vanguard to find a firm whose filing name starts with Vanguard. Type at least two letters. The match ignores a % or _ that you meant as a wildcard.
- Use the start of the legal name. A short nickname often returns nothing.
- Drop words from the end when the list is empty.
Fidelity Investmentsmay be stored as a longer legal name, so tryFidelity. - A person search uses the person name. A firm search uses the firm name. Those boxes are not interchangeable.
- Two rows can share a name. Open each one and read the city or the employer before you pick.
CRD rules
A CRD match is exact. Type the digits. A value such as CRD 149777 still works, because the page keeps the digits and drops the letters. An SEC file number such as 801-12345 is a different ID. Use the CRD from the name-search result or from the profile.
- A firm CRD belongs on adv_firm_profile or GetIAPDFirmDetail.
- A person CRD belongs on GetIAPDIndividualDetail or GetBrokerCheckDetail.
- A person CRD in a firm box returns no firm, or the wrong firm. Check which call you opened.
When you have a place and no name
These tools do not take a ZIP code. Use search by city or ZIP for that. Use the firm directory and the adviser directory to browse. Come back to a tool page when you have a name or a CRD.