The Approved Person is performing an investment banking/corporate finance function , and the primary economic purpose of that activity is to assist the issuer in raising capital through the issuance and sale of securities . Therefore, C is correct .

When a private company conducts an initial public offering (IPO), shares are distributed to investors and the company gains access to public capital markets. Investment banking professionals may advise the issuer on the structure of the financing, number and type of securities to be issued, valuation and offering price, timing, investor demand and execution of the distribution. Underwriting is closely related: an Investment Dealer may participate in purchasing, distributing or otherwise facilitating the placement of the new securities.

The CIRE syllabus explicitly requires candidates to remember the basic function and purpose of “Investment banking” and “Corporate finance” under Element 6.4. It also identifies underwriting as a typical service provided by institutional Investment Dealers under Element 3.6.

A concerns tax advice, which is not the primary activity described. B relates to secondary-market monitoring after issuance. D describes portfolio or investment-management activities. The scenario instead centres on originating, structuring, pricing and executing a securities financing transaction.

Study Guide Reference: CIRE Element 6.4 — Investment Banking and Corporate Finance; Element 3.6 — Underwriting.

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