Business Processing And Recordkeeping Rules Flashcards
USA Patriot Act of 2001
Requires broker dealers to
1) verify the identity of any new customer
2) maintain records of the information used to verify the customer identity.
3) determine whether the person appears on any list of known or suspected terrorists
Requires bd to obtain at a minimum, the customer name, dob, address and ssn.
New Account Form
An account opened by a B/D requires a completed new account form or new account card with the following
- full name of each customer
- date of birth with photo ID
- address with phone number
- ssn or tax ID. W-9 for US W-8 for foreigners
- occupation, employer and type of business
- annual income and net worth
- marital status and occupation of spouse
- citizenship
- investment objectives
- bank and brokerage references
- whether the customer is an employee of another bd
- how the account was acquired
- customer’s financial and tax status.
- signature of a principal of the firm
Customer Identification Program
- The firm must verify the identity of each new customer by obtaining a copy of their DL, Passport, military ID or state issued ID.
- They must contact the US Treasury Office of Foreign Assets Control to verify that the client is not on the list of known terrorists.
- New customers must be informed that their identities are going to be verified. This can be done verbally, on the website or on the new account form.
- The program must have procedures in place if they have a reasonable belief that the customer’s identity maybe in question.
1) the procedures should describe when the firm should not open an account.
2) when the firm should close an open account after attempts to verify the identity fail.
3) they should also describe the terms under which the customer may conduct transactions while the firm verifies their identity.
Updating Customer Information
A firm must provide the customer with a copy of the account record within 30 days of opening the account. There must be a document where the customer can make any corrections. If the firm receives corrected information they must provide a new account record in 30 days. An update must occur at least every 36 months thereafter.
Customer Information and Suitability
Reps are encouraged to keep updated customer profiles. Including
- investment objectives
- preservation of capital
- growth for future expenses
- income
- tax advantages
- diversification
- liquidity
- speculation
Unsolicited ticket
Occurs when a customer places an order that the rep considers unsuitable or has not recommended. The rep must mark the ticket as unsolicited.
List the different Types of Trading Authorizations
- discretionary - rep has been given authorization from the customer to make trading decisions
- custodial - an adult has been designated to act on behalf of a child who is the beneficial owner of the account.
- fiduciary - a third party has been legally appointed to manage the account on behalf of another person or entity.
Cash Accounts
Must pay in full for any securities purchased.
- personal retirement accounts. IRA TSA etc
- corporate retirement accounts
- custodial accounts UGMA and UTMA
Margin Account
The investor may use some cash and some credit to purchase securities.
Federal Reserve Regulation T
The Securities Exchange Act of 1934 grants the Federal Reserve Board the authority to regulate credit extended for the purchase of securities. It specifies the equity requirements for a securities transaction on a margin account. It also stipulates which securities can be purchased on a margin. Payment is trade plus 5 business days.
Individual Account
A type of account that Has only 1 beneficial owner.
The owner controls the investments within the account.
And is the only person who may request distributions of cash or securities from the account.
Transfer on Death Registration
A special case of individual registration that allows securities to be passed directly to another person or entity upon the death of the account holder without going to probate.
Joint Accounts
An account that has 2 or more adults who have some form of control over the account.
- new account form and joint account agreement must be signed by both adults.
- the account must be designated either Tenants in Common or Joint Tenants with Right of Survivorship
- all documents must be signed by all owners and checks will be made payable to all owners.
Tenants in Common
The deceased tenant’s portion of the account goes to their estate and not to the other owner. The account may be divided unequally. When an owner passes the account is frozen until probate.
Joint Tenants with Rights of Survivorship
Ownership stipulates that a deceased tenant’s interest in the account passes to the surviving tenant. Each owner has an equal interest in the account. Probate is not required and the account is not frozen upon the passing of a tenant.
Partnership Accounts
An unincorporated association of 2 or more individuals.
They can open margin, cash, retirement and other accounts necessary to conduct business.
They must complete a new account form, provide a partnership agreement and a resolution stating which of the partners may trade on the account.
Corporate Accounts
A corporate resolution is required to open the account.
Margin account trading is permitted if the charter allows it.
A member must obtain both the charter and the corporate resolution which must have the corporate seal and is signed by the secretary of the corporation.
The corporate resolution authorizes the opening of the account and identifies the officers that are allowed to trade on the account.
Third Party Accounts
Persons other than the account owner can be authorized to buy and sell securities on behalf of the owner. Example = fiduciary or custodian accounts. Written permission is required to open an account for a competent adult.
Fiduciary Account
Anyone legally appointed and authorized to represent another person.
- they may not use the account for personal benefit but may be reimbursed for expenses incurred in managing the account.
- they enter trades, make all investment and distribution decisions, and must manage the account in the owners best interest.
- speculative transactions are generally not permitted
- examples include: trustee designated to administer a trust, an executor for a will, guardian for a minor, conservator for an incompetent, receiver in a bankruptcy
Legal List States
These States provide a list of securities that fiduciaries are allowed to purchase. Fiduciaries may only purchase securities on the approved list.
Prudent Investor States
Fiduciaries may select securities based on the Uniform Prudent Investors Act of 1994 in these states. The fiduciary is not liable for loses as long as the investment was consistent with the investment objectives.
Trust Accounts Requirements
Must obtain a copy of the trust.
Margin and option transactions may not be used unless the trust specifically states that they can be used.
Guardian Accounts
A copy of the court order appointing the guardian must be obtained.
These accounts must be opened within 60 days of the court appointment.
Full Power of Attorney
Allows an adult or organization who is not the owner of an account to deposit and withdraw cash or securities and make investment decisions for the account owner.
Terminates upon death.
Limited Power of Attorney
Allows an individual to have some but not total control over an account. Typically it doesn’t allow withdrawals from the account.
It allows them to make trades on the account.
Wrap Accounts
- An account where a firm charges a fixed fee for portfolio management, transactions and related services.
- Reps handling these accounts must have a series 65 or 66 registration. They must register as investment advisers.
Describe Custodial Accounts
An account that is set up for the benefit of a minor.
The custodian has full control over the minors account.
Gift tax applies.
- they can buy and sell securities
- exercise rights or warrants
- liquidate, trade or hold securities.
Responsibilities of a Custodial Account
- securities may not be purchased on margin or used as collateral for a loan.
- a custodian must reinvest all cash distributions in a reasonable period.
- investment decisions must consider the minor’s age. Options may not be bought.
- the custodian may not let rights or warrants expire because it is not in the best interest of the minor.
- monies may only be removed from the account for reimbursement of expenses for the benefit of the minor.
Rules for Custodial Accounts
- all gifts are irrevocable
- managed as cash accounts only
- only 1 custodian and 1 minor per account.
- a donor may serve as custodian or appoint someone else
- minor can sue for improper actions
- if the minor passes, the accounts passes to their estate.
What Documents are needed to release the assets of an owner that passed away.
- certificate of domicile
- certified copy of death certificate
- inheritance tax waivers
- letters of testamentary
Regulation S-P
- Requires firms to have adequate safeguards to protect customer information from unauthorized use.
- It prohibits firms from providing non public information to third parties unless the firm provided an “opt out” and the customer chose not to opt.
- Firms must deliver an initial privacy notice to new customers when the customer relationship is established.
- Privacy notice must be sent annually to all owners.
Cases where customer cannot opt out of notification to non-affiliates.
1) necessary to effect or enforce a transaction that a customer authorized.
2) in connection with processing or servicing a financial product or service a customer authorized
3) maintaining or servicing the customers account with the firm
4) companies that perform marketing services on the firms behalf or other institutions with whom they have a joint marketing agreement.
Record Keeping for Customer Transactions
Most records must maintained for 3 years.
Trade Confirmations
Must contain
- whether the member acted as an agent or principal
- whether the member acted as duel agent (both buyer and seller)
- source and amount of commission in an agency trade
- whether a control relationship exists between the issuer and member
- deferred sales load if any.
Copies of trade confirms must be kept for 3 years.
Statement Requirements
- Firms must send every customer a quarterly statement.
- Monthly statements if there is account activity.
- Must show all activities since the previous statement
- Securities positions (long or short)
- Account balance
Settlement Date
The date on which ownership changes between buyer and seller. The bd are required to exchange securities and funds involved in a transaction and customers are requested to pay for securities bought and deliver securities sold.
Regular Way Settlement Payment
The 3rd business day following the trade date.
Cash Settlement
Requires same delivery of securities from the seller and payment from the buyer.