Washington — Investment Advisor Bond
Washington requires an adviser with custody or discretion to maintain a bond when it falls below the applicable minimum net worth. The bond covers the deficiency rounded up to the nearest $5,000. Establish the firm's financial position and applicable requirement before applying.
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- Recorded state
- Washington
- Bond type
- Broker-Dealer / Investment Adviser Bond
- Category
- Financial services
What this bond does
The Department of Financial Institutions' adviser bond secures the licensed firm's duties under Washington's Securities Act and its accounting for investor money and securities. The prescribed form expressly substitutes for compliance with the net-worth requirements; it is not the adviser registration itself.
- Who needs it
- An advisory firm addressing a Washington financial-security requirement. Identify whether the firm has custody, discretion without custody, or a qualifying principal office in another state before choosing the financial route.
- Who it protects
- The principal and surety are bound to the State of Washington for the use and benefit of interested persons. The form allows a person with a claim under the Securities Act to sue on the bond. The rule makes coverage available to clients regardless of their state of residence.
Your bond option
This is the option on record for this bond.
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The bond amount describes the limit of the bond obligation, not the price. A listed amount does not establish what the requesting party requires. The premium is what you pay and must be confirmed for the actual option. An E&O limit, where listed, is separate errors and omissions insurance.
Sources
- Washington WAC 460-24A-170: minimum net worth and bonds (opens in a new tab)Checked October 26, 2026
- Washington DFI: Investment Adviser Surety Bond (opens in a new tab)Checked October 26, 2026
Have these ready
- Provide the firm's legal name and principal place of business.
- Document custody, discretion and any qualifying home-state treatment.
- Calculate applicable net worth and the deficiency rounded up to the nearest $5,000.
- Match the State obligation, adviser capacity, sum and commencement date.
- Arrange signatures, acknowledgments and DFI filing as directed.
Questions about this bond
Is every Washington adviser bond $35,000?
No. $35,000 is the general custody net-worth threshold. The bond required by WAC 460-24A-170 covers the firm's deficiency rounded up to the nearest $5,000. Discretion without custody has a different capital threshold, and qualifying out-of-state firms receive separate treatment.
Does the bond replace financial reporting?
The rule still requires notice and a financial-condition report when net worth falls below the required minimum, unless otherwise exempted. Keep the financial computation and DFI correspondence with the bond; purchasing it does not satisfy those separate reporting steps.
What happens after Purchase Now?
Propeller's Washington investment-advisor application opens in a new tab. Match the legal firm, required rounded deficiency, State obligation and effective date. Review and execute the undertaking and acknowledgments, then submit it to DFI as directed. Payment does not grant adviser registration.