Final answer:
The maximum sales charge permitted per FINRA Rule depends on the type of investment product being sold, such as mutual funds or variable annuities.
Step-by-step explanation:
The maximum sales charge permitted per FINRA Rule depends on the type of investment product being sold. For mutual funds, the maximum sales charge allowed is typically 8.5% of the offering price. However, there are different classes of mutual funds, each with its own maximum sales charge. Class A shares, for example, often have a front-end load, which is a sales charge paid at the time of purchase.
For variable annuities, the maximum sales charge is typically 8-9% of the purchase payments made by the investor. It is important to note that actual sales charges can vary depending on the specific fund or annuity being offered by the financial institution.