Final Order Denying Melinda J. Abood's Petition for Waiver of Rule 69W-600.0024(6), Florida Administrative Code

Index: OFR 2026 - 335
STATE OF FLORIDA
OFFICE OF FINANCIAL REGULATION
In Re:
; OOCKE.TE
/14/2026
GAL
MELINDA J. ABOOD, Petition for Waiver from Rule 69W-600.0024(6), Florida Administrative Code, Case Number: 136589-SR Petitioner. FINAL ORDER DENYING ABOOD'S PETITION FOR WAIVER FROM RULE 69W-600.0024{6), FLORIDA ADMINISTRATIVE CODE, AND NOTICE OF RIGHTS This matter is before the State of Florida, Office of Financial Regulation ("Office"), on the request for a waiver from Rule 69W-600.0024(6), Florida Administrative Code (hereinafter "Petition"), submitted March 6, 2026, by Melinda J. Abood ("Abood"). Pursuant to section 120.542(8), Florida Statutes, the Office enters this Final Order Denying Abood's Petition for Waiver from Rule 69W-600.0024(6), Florida Administrative Code, and in support thereof, makes the following Findings of Fact and Conclusions of law:
FINDINGS OF FACT

1. On May 26, 2026, the Office issued a Notice of Intent to Enter a Final Order
   Denying Abood's Petition for Waiver from Rule 69W-600.0024(6), Florida Administrative Code, and Notice of Rights ("Notice of Intent") via United States Postal Service ("USPS") mail and email. The Notice of Intent gave notice of the Office's intent to enter a Final Order Denying Abood' s Petition for Waiver from Rule 69W-600.0024( 6), Florida Administrative Code, as Abood has not met the criteria for waiver provided by section 120.542(2), Florida Statutes. The Notice of Intent is attached hereto as Exhibit I.

2. The Notice of Intent had attached thereto a Notice of Rights, which fully advised
   Abood that she had twenty-one (21) days after issuance of the Notice within which to petition the Office for an administrative hearing to contest the allegations set forth in the Notice of Intent and that failure to do so would constitute a waiver of such right.

3. The Notice oflntent was sent to Abood's firm on May 26, 2026, via USPS mail.

4. The Notice of Intent was sent to Abood's firm via email on May 27, 2026. The
   email is attached hereto as Exhibit II.

5. Abood's response to the Notice oflntent was to be filed with the Office on or before
   June 22, 2026. As of the date of this Final Order, Abood has failed to file a petition for hearing or to file any other document with the Office in response to the Notice of Intent.

6. The facts alleged in the Notice oflntent, being uncontested by Abood, are accepted
   as true and correct, incorporated herein by reference, and adopted by the Office as Findings of Fact for purposes of this Final Order. CONCLUSIONS OF LAW

7. The Office is responsible for the administration and enforcement of chapter 517,
   Florida Statutes, and has jurisdiction over the subject matter and Abood pursuant to chapters 120 and 517, Florida Statutes.

8. Subsection 120.60(3), Florida Statutes, sets forth the following service
   requirements:
   Each applicant shall be given written notice, personally or by mail, that the agency intends to grant or deny, or has granted or denied, the application for license. The notice must state with particularity the grounds or basis for the issuance or denial of the license, except when issuance is a ministerial act. Unless waived, a copy of the notice shall be delivered or mailed to each party's attorney of record and to each person who has made a written request for notice of agency action. Each notice must inform the recipient of the basis for the agency decision, inform the recipient of any administrative 2

hearing pursuant to ss. 120.569 and 120.57 or judicial review pursuant to s. 120.68 which may be available, indicate the procedure that must be followed, and state the applicable time limits. The issuing agency shall certify the date the notice was mailed or delivered, and the notice and the certification must be filed with the agency clerk.
9. The Office's issuance of the Notice of Intent as set forth in paragraphs one (1)
through four (4) above complies with the service requirements provided in subsection 120.60(3), Florida Statutes.
10. Abood's failure to file a petition for hearing or to file any other document in
compliance with Rules 28-106.201, 28-106.2015, or 28-106.301, Florida Administrative Code, constitutes a waiver of Abood's right to an administrative hearing. See Rule 28-106.111(4), Fla. Admin. Code.
11. Abood has not alleged any basis for equitable tolling. See Patz v. Dep 't of Health,
Fla. Bd. Of Med., 864 So. 2d 79 (Fla. 3dDCA 2003).
12. The legal conclusions that form the basis for the denial of Abood's Petition for
Waiver from Rule 69W-600.0024(6), Florida Administrative Code, set forth in the Notice of Intent, being uncontested by Abood, are accepted as true and correct, incorporated herein by reference, and adopted by the Office as Conclusions of Law for purposes of this Final Order. [Remainder of page intentionally blank] 3

Based on the foregoing Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law, it is hereby ORDERED: Abood's Petition for Waiver from Rule 69W-600.0024(6), Florida Administrative Code, is hereby DENIED. DONE and ORDERED this !tf-day of July, 2026, in Tallahassee, Leon County, Florida. Commissioner NOTICE OF RIGHTS A PARTY WHO IS ADVERSELY AFFECTED BY THIS FINAL ORDER IS ENTITLED TO JUDICIAL REVIEW PURSUANT TO SECTION 120.68, FLORIDA STATUTES. REVIEW PROCEEDINGS ARE GOVERNED BY THE FLORIDA RULES OF APPELLATE PROCEDURE. SUCH PROCEEDINGS ARE COMMENCED BY FILING THE ORIGINAL NOTICE OF APPEAL WITH THE AGENCY CLERK FOR THE OFFICE OF FINANCIAL REGULATION AS FOLLOWS:
By U.S. Mail, Fax or Email
Agency Clerk
Office of Financial Regulation
P.O. Box 8050
Tallahassee, Florida 32314-8050
Phone: (850) 410-9889
Fax: (850) 410-9663
Email: Agency.Clerk@flofr.gov
OR By Hand Delivery
Agency Clerk
Office of Financial Regulation
Office of General Counsel
The Fletcher Building
101 East Gaines Street
Tallahassee, Florida 32399
Phone: (850) 410-9889
A COPY OF THE NOTICE OF APPEAL, ACCOMPANIED BY THE FILING FEES AS REQUIRED BYLAW, MUST ALSO BE FILED WITH THE DISTRICT COURT OF APPEAL, FIRST DISTRICT, 2000 DRAYTON DRIVE, TALLAHASSEE, FLORIDA 32399-0950, OR WITH THE DISTRICT COURT OF APPEAL IN THE APPELLATE DISTRICT WHERE THE PARTY RESIDES. THE NOTICE OF APPEAL MUST BE FILED WITH BOTH THE 4

AGENCY CLERK FOR THE OFFICE OF FINANCIAL REGULATION AND THE DISTRICT COURT OF APPEAL WITHIN 30 DAYS OF THE RENDITION OF THE ORDER TO BE REVIEWED. CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE ·11::1--~ I HEREBY CERTIFY that on this J1:. day of July, 2026, a true and correct copy of the foregoing has been furnished by U.S. mail and email to the following:
Cordaryll J. Barnes
Director, Registration
UBS Financial Services Inc.
1200 Harbor Blvd.
Weehawken, NJ 07086 cordary 11.barnes@ubs.com
5 lation
-8050
. y.Clerk@flofr.gov
Tel: (850) 410-9889

FINAL ORDER EXHIBIT I
STATE OF FLORIDA
OFFICE OF FINANCIAL REGULATION
In Re:
MELINDA J, ABOOD, Petition for Waiver of Rule 69W-600.0024(6), Florida Administrative Code, Petitioner. Case Number: 136589-SR NOTICE OF INTENT TO ENTER A FINAL ORDER DENYING ABOOD'S PETITION FOR WAIVER FROM RULE 69W-600.0024(6 ). FLORIDA ADMINISTRATIVE CODE, AND NOTICE OF RIGHTS This matter is before the State of Florida, Office of Financial Regulation ("Office"), on the request for a waiver from Rule 69W-600.0024(6), Florida Administrative Code, (hereinafter "Petition"), submitted March 6, 2026, by Melinda J. Abood, Central Registration Depository ("CRD") Number 867463 ("Petitioner"). Section 120.542(8), Florida Statutes, provides that an order granting or denying a petition for variance or waiver "shalJ contain a statement of the relevant facts and reasons supporting the agency's action." Having considered all relevant facts and pertinent law, the Office enters this NOTICE of its intent to enter a Final Order DENYING Abood's Petition for waiver from Rule 69W-600.0024(6), Florida Administrative Code. STATEMENT OF FACTS J. On March 6, 2026, the Office received the Petition requesting a waiver of Rule 69W-600.0024(6), Florida Administrative Code, and the Series 66 exam requirement. (See Exhibit A)
2. Rule 69W-600.0024, Florida Administrative Code, concerns the application for
registration as an associated person of an investment adviser or federal covered adviser. This rule contains various obligations, including the submission of an application, the identification of the advisory firm with which the applicant seeks registration as an associated person, the payment of

FINAL ORDER EXHIBIT I an assessment fee, the submission of fingerprints, the identification of civil, criminal or administrative legal proceedings, and the submission of examination qualifications. The rule also addresses multiple registration, grandfathering provisions for applicants registered in other jurisdictions, and exemptions from examination qualifications for applicants holding current specified professional designations.
3. As to examination qualifications, Rule 69W-600.0024(6), Florida Administrative
Code, provides:
(6) Examinations/Qualifications.
(a) Every applicant for registration sha11 execute and submit a statement attesting to said applicant's knowledge and review of the Florida Securities and Investor Protection Act, as contained in the Form U4. (b) Every applicant for registration shall provide the Office with one of the following:
I. Proof of passing, within two years of the date of application for
registration, the Uniform Investment Adviser Law Examination (Series 65); or
2. Proof of passing, within two years of the date of application for
registration, the General Securities Representative Examination (Series 7), the Unifonn Combined State Law Examination (Series 66), and proof of passing within four years of the date of application for registration, the Securities Industry Essentials (SJE) Examination. The fo1lowing applicants will be considered to have passed the SJE Examination:
a. Applicants whose registration as an associated person was terminated between October 1, 2014, and September 30, 2018, provided they re-register as an associated person within four years from the date of their last registration; b. App1icants who registered as an associated person prior to October l, 2018, and who continue to maintain those registrations on or after October 1, 2018. (c) Applicants who meet one of the following conditions satisfy the examination requirements of paragraph (6)(b) of this rule, except the Office may require additional examinations for any applicants found to have violated any state or federal securities law:
1.a. Applicants who passed either the Series 65 examination or both the Series 7 and Series 66 examinations; and b. Have not had a lapse in registration as an associated person of an investment adviser or federal covered adviser in any jurisdiction in the United States for a period exceeding two years.
c. Periods oftime during which an applicant provides advisory services for
compensation on behalf of a dealer, a federal covered adviser, or an investment adviser, in any jurisdiction in the United States that does not require such persons to register as an associated person of the dealer, federal covered adviser, or 2

FINAL ORDER EXHIBIT I investment adviser on whose behalf such advisory services were performed, will not be considered a lapse in registration for purposes of this paragraph. 2.a. Applicants who were previously registered with the Office as an associated person of an investment adviser or federal covered adviser; and b. Have not had a lapse in registration as an associated person of an investment adviser or federal covered adviser in any jurisdiction in the United States for a period exceeding two years.
4. Section 517.12, Florida Statutes, is implemented by Rule 69W-600.0024, Florida
Administrative Code, and provides in pertinent part as follows:
517 .12 Registration of dealers, associated persons, intermediaries, and investment advisers. - (3) No investment adviser or associated person of an investment adviser or federal covered adviser shall engage in business from offices in this state, or render investment advice to persons of this state, by mail or otherwise, unless the federal covered adviser has made a notice-filing with the office pursuant to s. 517.1201 or the investment adviser is registered pursuant to the provisions of this chapter and associated persons of the federal covered adviser or investment adviser have been registered with the office pursuant to this section.
7) The commission or office may require the applicant or one or more
principals or general partners, or natural persons exercising similar functions, or any associated person applicant to successfully pass oral or written examinations. . . . the commission may waive the examination process when it determines that such examinations are not in the public interest. The office shall waive the examination requirements for any person who has passed any tests as prescribed in s. 15(b )(7) of the Securities Exchange Act of J 934 that relates to the position to be filled by the applicant.
5. As set forth rn Rule 69W-600.0024(6)(b), FJorida Administrative Code,
qualifications for registration may be demonstrated, as to this category, by: 1) providing proof of passing, within two years of the date of application for registration, the Uniform Investment Adviser Law Examination (Series 65); or 2) providing proof of passing three examinations: a) the General Securities Representative Examination ("Series T'), within two years of the date of application; b) the Uniform Combined State Law Examination ("Series 66"), within two years of 3

FINAL ORDER EXHIBIT I the date of application; and c) the Securities Industry Essentials ("SIE") Examination, within four years of the date of application.
6. The Series 66 examination covers topics that have been detennined to be necessary
to provide investment advice to clients including the following: economic factors and business information; investment vehicle characteristics; client investment recommendations and strategies; and laws, regulations, and guidelines, including prohibition of unethical business practices. The Series 66 examination consists of I 00 multiple-choice questions and IO pretest questions. The Series 66 examination is administered by the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority ("FINRA").
7. The Petitioner asserts the following as the basis for the waiver and the Office notes
other relevant facts:
a. The Petitioner requests a waiver of Rule 69W-600.0024(6), Florida Administrative Code, and a "Series 66 (RA registration) Waiver." b. The Petition states that "[f]or the past 37 years, [Petitioner has] served as an investment advisor with the UBS Financial Services, providing clients with ongoing guidance, portfolio management, and long-tenn financial planning."
c. The Petition states that "[d]espite substantial preparation, [Petitioner has]
taken and unfortunately failed the exam five times." d. The Office notes that Petitioner has never passed the series 65 or Series 66 exam. e. The Petition states that "[m]aintaining uninterrupted communication with clients is essential to preserving the trust and confidence we have built over many years. Being restricted from providing advisory services while residing in Florida would 4

FINAL ORDER EXHIBIT I significantly disrupt those relationships and jeopardize the continuity of the guidance my clients rely upon." f. The Petition requests "consideration for a waiver based on [Petitioner's] extensive experience, longstanding advisory practice, and the significant adverse impact that the testing requirement has had on [Petitioner's] ability to serve clients effectively while residing part time in Florida."
8. Pursuant to and in compliance with Rule 28-104.005(1), Florida Administrative
Code, the Office published notice of the Petition, as required. The notice appeared in the Florida Administrative Register at Volume 52, Number 46, published March 9, 2026.
9. The Office did not receive any comments on the Petition.
CONCLUSIONS OF LAW
10. The Office is responsible for the administration and enforcement of chapter 517,
Florida Statutes, and the rules promulgated thereunder. The Office has jurisdiction over the subject matter and the Petition pursuant to section 20.121(3)(a)2., Florida Statutes, and chapters 120 and 517, Florida Statutes. The Office is the proper state agency to receive, process, and render a ruling on a petition for a waiver or variance involving chapter 51 7, Florida Statutes, and the rules promulgated thereunder.
11. Section 120.542(1 ), Florida Statutes, provides in part:
Strict application of uniformly applicable rule requirements can lead to unreasonable, unfair, and unintended results in particular instances. The Legislature finds that it is appropriate in such cases to adopt a procedure for agencies to provide relief to persons subject to regulation.
12. Section 120.542(2), Florida Statutes, provides:
Variances and waivers shall be granted when the person subject to the rule demonstrates that the purpose of the underlying statute will be or has been achieved by other means by the person and when application of a rule would 5

FINAL ORDER EX HIBIT I create a substantial hardship or would violate principles of fairness. For purposes of this section, "substantial hardship" means a demonstrated economic, technological, legal, or other type of hardship to the person requesting the variance or waiver. For purposes of this section, "principles of fairness" are violated when the literal application of a rule affects a particular person in a manner significantly different from the way it affects other similarly situated persons who are subject to the rule.
13. Section 120.542(5), Florida Statutes, provides in part:
A person who is subject to regulation by an agency rule may file a petition with that agency, ... requesting a variance or waiver from the agency's rule. In addition to any requirements mandated by the uniform rules, each petition shaH specify:
(a) The rule from which a variance or waiver is requested.
(b) The type of action requested.
(c) The specific facts that would justify a waiver or variance for the petitioner. ( d) The reason why the variance or the waiver requested would serve the purposes of the underlying statute.
14. Rule 28-104.002(2), Florida Administrative Code, further provides that a petition
for variance or waiver must include the following information:
(2) The petition must include the following information:
(a) The caption shall read:
Petition for (Variance from) or (Waiver of) Rule (Citation) (b) The name, address, any e-mail address, telephone number, and any facsimile number of the petitioner, if the party is not represented by an attorney or a qualified representative; (c) The name, address, e-mail address, telephone number, and any facsimile number of the attorney or qualified representative of the petitioner, if any; (d) The applicable rule or portion of the rule; (e) The citation to the statute the rule is implementing; (f) The type of action requested; (g) The specific facts that demonstrate a substantial hardship or a violation of principles of fairness that would justify a waiver or variance for the petitioner; (h) The reason why the variance or the waiver requested would serve the purposes of the underlying statute; and (i) A statement whether the variance or waiver is permanent or temporary. If the variance or waiver is temporary, the petition shall include the dates indicating the duration of the requested variance or waiver. 6

FINAL ORDER EXHIBIT I
15. The Office makes the following findings regarding the criteria for waiver provided
by section 120.542(2), Florida Statutes, as it pertains to the exam requirements of Rule 69W￾600.0024(6), Florida Administrative Code:
a. The Office finds that the Petition fails to specify whether the waiver requested is permanent or temporary. b. The Office finds that the Petition does not specify how the purpose of the underlying statute will be achieved by a waiver of the exam requirements imposed by Rule 69W-600.0024(6), Florida Administrative Code. The Petition does not specifically cite to the underlying statute, section 517.12, Florida Statutes, or state its purpose. Instead, the Petition vaguely alludes to the fact that Petitioner has over 37 years of experience without further explanation or comparison as to why this fact satisfies the purpose of section 517.12, Florida Statutes, as implemented by Rule 69W-600.0024(6), Florida Administrative Code. Accordingly, the Office finds that the Petition has not demonstrated that the purpose of the underlying statute, section 517.12, Florida Statutes, implemented by the rule requirement to have timely passed the examination requirements, has been satisfied as to Petitioner's qualifications and knowledge.
c. The Office finds that Petitioner did not demonstrate that application of the
exam requirements of Rule 69W-600.0024(6), Florida Administrative Code, as to Petitioner, would create a substantial hardship. The Petition does not specify how application of the rule as to Petitioner creates an economic, technological, legal, or other type of hardship for the Petitioner. d. Additionally, the Office finds that Petitioner fails to clearly identify or delineate the specific way(s) the exam requirements of Rule 69W-600.0024(6), Florida 7

FINAL ORDER EXHIBIT I
Administrative Code, violate principles of fairness by affecting Petitioner in a manner significantly different from the way it affects other similarly situated persons who must take or retake an examination. The Office notes that Petitioner is in no different position relative to taking the Series 66 exam or the Series 65 exam than any other person who must take the Series 66 exam or the Series 65 exam. PROPOSED AGENCY ACTION Upon consideration of the factual statement set forth above and applicable law, NOTICE is hereby given that the Office intends to enter a Final Order DENYING Abood's Petition for Waiver of Rule 69W-600.0024(6), Florida Administrative Code, subject only to the Notice of Rights contained herein. Dated: 5/23/26 Director Division of Securities 8

FINAL ORDER EXHIBIT I
NOTICE OF RIGHTS
PLEASE BE ADVISED THAT PURSUANT TO SECTIONS 120.569 AND 120.57, FLORIDA STATUTES, YOU MAY REQUEST A HEARING TO CONTEST THIS ACTION BY THE OFFICE. REQUESTS FOR SUCH A HEARING MUST COMPLY WITH THE PROVISIONS OF RULES 28-106.104(2), FLORIDA ADMINISTRATIVE CODE, RULE 28- 106.201, FLORIDA ADMINISTRATIVE CODE, OR Rill,E 28-106.301, FLORIDA ADMINISTRATIVE CODE, AND MUST BE FILED WITH:
By U.S. Mail, Fax or Email
Agency Clerk
Office of Financial Regulation
Office of General Counsel
P.O. Box 8050
Tallahassee, Florida 32314-8050
Phone: (850) 410-9889
Fax: (850) 410-9663
Email: A!!encv.ClerkftI,flofr.uov
OR By Hand Deliven'
Agency Clerk
Office of Financial Regulation
Office of General Counsel
The Fletcher Building
101 East Gaines Street
Tallahassee, Florida 32399
Phone: (850) 410-9889
YOUR REQUEST MUST BE FILED WITH THE AGENCY WITHIN TWENTY￾ONE (21) DAYS OF THE DATE OF ISSUANCE OF THIS NOTICE. YOUR FAILURE TO RESPOND TO THIS NOTICE WITHIN TWENTY-ONE (21) DAYS OF ISSUANCE WILL CONSTITUTE A WAIVER OF YOUR RIGHT TO REQUEST A HEARING AND THE OFFICE'S PROPOSED AGENCY ACTION WILL BECOME FINAL. IF YOU REQUEST A HEARING, YOU WILL HA VE THE RIGHT TO BE REPRESENTED BY COUNSEL OR OTHER QUALIFIED REPRESENTATIVE; TO OFFER TESTIMONY, EITHER ORAL OR WRITTEN; TO CALL AND CROSS-EXAMINE WllNESSES, AND TO HA VE SUBPOENAS AND SUBPOENAS DUCES TECUM ISSUED ON YOUR BEHALF. PURSUANT TO SECTION 120.573, FLORIDA STATUTES, MEDIATION IS NOT AVAJLABLE. 9

FINAL ORDER EXHIBIT I
CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE
I HEREBY CERTIFY that on this 26th day of May, 2026, a true and correct copy of the foregoing has been furnished by U.S. mail and email to the following:
Cordaryll J. Barnes
Director, Registration
UBS Financial Services Inc.
1200 Harbor Blvd.
Weehawken, NJ 07086 cordaryll.bames@ubs.com
~ CWka
R;anrlR White
Assistant General Counsel
Office of Financial Regulation
200 E. Gaines Street
Tallahassee, FL 32399-03 79
Tel: (850) 410-9803
Emai1: Ryann.White@flofr.gov

FINAL ORDER EXHIBIT I
*UBS
March 3, 2026
Ryann White
Florida Office of Financial Regulation
Division of Securities
200 East Gaines Street
Tallahassee, FL 32399-0370
UBS Financial Services Inc.
1200 Harbor Boulevard
Weehawken, NJ 07086
Registration/Compliance Department www.ubs.com Re: Series 66 (RA Registration) Waiver Request for Melinda Abood (CRD#867463:) UBS Financial Services Inc. (BO 8174) respectfully requests that the Florida Office of Financial Regulation grants Melinda Abood (CRD# 867463) a waiver relating to the Investment Advisor (RA) registration portion of the Series 66 examination. Florida Statute: Section 120.542(5 } (SJ A person who is subject to regulation by an agency rule may file a petition with that agency, with a copy to the committee, requesting a variance or waiver from the agency's rule. In addition to any requirements mandated by the uniform rules, eoch petition shall specify:
(A} The rule from which a variance or waiver is requested.
• Petition/or Waiver pursuant to Rule 69W-600.0024{6).
(B) The type of action requested.
• Series 66 (RA Registration) Waiver.
(C) The specific facts that would justify a waiver or variance for the petitioner.
• Since the age of 21, I have worked in the financial industry with consistent success. For the past 37
years, I have served as an investment advisor with UBS Financial Services, providing clients with ongoing guidance, portfolio management, and long-term financial planning. My primary office and residence are in New York City, and I recently purchased a residence in Naples, Florida, with the intention of spending the winter months there while continuing to serve my clients. To continue receiving compensation for advisory accounts while working from Florido, I was asked to complete the Series 66 examination. Despite substantial preparation, I have taken and unfortunately failed the exam five times. This experience has been discouraging and has disrupted my ability to fully support my clients during the winter months. At 70 years old, with almost four decodes of proven success as a financial advisor, the testing environment-surrounded largely by recent graduates with limited industry experience-was particularly stressful and demoralizing. EXHIBIT A

$UBS
FINAL ORDER EX HIBIT I
UBS Financial Services Inc.
1200 Harbor Boulevard weehawken,NJ07086
Registration/Compliance Department www.ubs.com Throughout my career, I have built a thriving practice generating approximately $1.6 million in annual revenue, of which 48% is advisory business. I currently serve over 1,000 clients, with more than 400 under the advisory umbrella. My clients include individuals, trusts, foundations, and corporate retirement plans. Many of these relationships span decodes and depend on regular, direct communication regarding market changes, portfolio adjustments, and ongoing financial guidance. Some accounts ore managed in partnership with well-known professional managers, while others require active collaboration between myself and the client, often involving frequent conversations and strategic shifts to address rapidly changing market conditions. Additionally, I provide ongoing advice and guidance through financial planning. Maintaining uninterrupted communication with clients is essential to preserving the trust and confidence we have built over many years. Being restricted from providing advisory services while residing in Florida would significantly disrupt those relationships and jeopardize the continuity of the guidance my clients rely upon. The Series 66 examination, in my case, does not reflect my abilities, competence, or track record as an advisor who hos successfully delivered investment advice for nearly four decades. Over the years, I have also contributed to the industry and my community in meaningful ways, including:
o Mentorsh;p; Served as a mentor for the City-As-School program in New York City, educating high-school students on the financial industry while they earned academic credits at UBS. o Professional Development: Selected by the Chicago Board Options Exchange (CBOE}, along with 50 advisors nationwide, for advanced training in option strategies. o Industry Recognition: Invited to Barron's Women's Conference in Palm Beach, recognizing top female advisors at UBS. o Media Engagement: Appeared on Telemundo to discuss women's participation in the financial markets. I have spoken with several members of the Florida State Registration Department who noted that a waiver is permissible, though rarely granted. I submitted my waiver request on January 25, 2025, under docket number 69W-600-0024{6}(6} but later learned that it required an accompanying legal document from UBS, which I was not aware of at the time. I respectfully request consideration for a waiver based on my extensive experience, longstanding advisory practice, and the significant adverse impact that the testing requirement has had on my ability to serve clients effectively while residing port-time in Florida. My commitment to my clients, my profession, and ethical advisory practices has been demonstrated consistently throughout my 40-plus-year career. Being able to continue meeting with clients face-to-face during the winter EXHIBIT A

$UBS
FINAL ORDER EXHIBIT I
UBS Financial Services Inc.
1200 Harbor Boulevard
Weehawken, NJ 07086
Registration/Compliance Department www.ubs.com months-without Interruption to the advisory services they depend on-is essential to maintaining the trust and continuity foundational to my practice. (DJ The reason why the variance or the waiver requested would serve the purposes of the underlying statue.
• This waiver requested would serve the purposes of the underlying statue in maintaining a
"principal of fairnessn noted in s.120.542 for a previously licensed person who has not left the industry. Melinda respectfully request consideration for a waiver based on her extensive experience, longstanding advisory practice, and the significant adverse impact that the testing requirement has had on her ability to serve clients effectively while residing part-time in Florida. Her commitment to her clients, her profession, and ethical advisory practices has been demonstrated consistently throughout her 40-plus-year career. Being able to continue meeting with clients face-to-face during the winter months￾without interruption to the advisory services they depend on-is essential to maintaining the trust and continuity foundational to her practice. We greatly appreciate your time and consideration. We look forward to hearing from you at your earliest convenience. EXHIBIT A

FINAL ORDER EXHIBIT II
White, Ryann
From: White, Ryann
Sent:
To:
Wednesday, May 27, 2026 11 :37 AM
Barnes, Cordaryll
Subject:
Attachments:
Good morning,
RE: SERVICE OF DOCUMENT: OFR LEGAL CASE NO. 136589-SR; In Re: Melinda J. Abood, Petition for Waiver from Rule 69W-600.0024(6), F.A.C. NOID-ENV - 136589-SR - Melinda Abood.pdf My apologies, please see attached. Regards, Ryann E. White Assistant General Counsel Office of Financial Regulation Office of General Counsel 200 East Gaines Street Tallahassee, FL 32399-0375 Office: (850) 410-9500 Direct: (850) 410-9803 Promoting a safe marketplace for financial success Connect with OFR! @(1)~ Please note that pursuant to chapter 119, Florida Statutes, correspondence with the Office of Financial Regulation is considered public record. This correspondence is available to the public upon request unless exempt from disclosure. From: Barnes, Cordaryll cordaryll.barnes@ubs.com Sent: Wednesday, May 27, 2026 10:09 AM To: White, Ryann Ryann.White@flofr.gov Subject: RE: SERVICE OF DOCUMENT: OFR LEGAL CASE NO. 136589-SR; In Re: Melinda J. Abood, Petition for Waiver from Rule 69W-600.0024(6), F.A.C. I You don't often get email from corda ryll. barnes@ubs.com. Learn wh y this is important Hi Ryann, The attachment is for a different representative, so could you please forward the correct one. 1

Thank you,

• UBS
  Cordaryll J. Barnes
  Director, Registration
  Americas Licensing, Registration, & Regulatory Reporting C&ORC Americas www.ubs.com From: White, Ryann Ryann.White@flofr.gov Sent: Wednesday, May 27, 2026 9:29 AM To: Barnes, Cordaryll cordaryll.barnes@ubs.com FINAL ORDER EXHIBIT II Subject: [External] SERVICE OF DOCUMENT: OFR LEGAL CASE NO. 136589-SR; In Re: Melinda J. Abood, Petition for Waiver from Rule 69W-600.0024(6), F.A.C. Good morning, Please find attached Notice oflntent to Enter a Final Order Denying Abood's Petition for Waiver from Rule 69W-600.0024(6), Florida Administrative Code & Notice of Rights issued yesterday via U.S. mail in the above￾referenced matter. STATE OF FLORIDA OFFICE OF FINANCIAL REGULATION In Re:
  MELINDA J. ABOOD, Petition for Waiver of Rule 69W-600.0024(6), Florida Administrative Code, Petitioner. Case Number: 136589-SR NOTICE OF INTENT TO ENTER A FINAL ORDER DENYING ABOOD'S PETITION FOR WAIVER FROM RULE 69W-600.0024(6 l, FLORIDA ADMINISTRATIVE CODE, AND NOTICE OF RIGHTS Regards, Ryann E. White Assistant General Counsel Office of Financial Regulation Office of General Counsel 200 East Gaines Street Tallahassee, FL 32399-0375 Office: (850) 410-9500 Direct: (850) 410-9803 2