Release Date: October 16, 2007
Contact: Lynnette Kelly Hotchkiss, Executive Director
(703) 797-6600
lhotchkiss@msrb.org
Amendments Filed to Rule G-40 on Electronic Mail Contacts
Alexandria, VA – Today, the MSRB filed
with the SEC proposed amendments to Rule G-40, on e-mail contacts, that would
more fully conform MSRB requirements to FINRA requirements relating to contact
information. The MSRB has proposed that the amendments become effective on
December 31, 2007 to coincide with the effective date of recently-approved
FINRA requirements in this area.
The MSRB attempts, whenever possible, to adopt rule
provisions and language similar to FINRA rules in order to facilitate dealer
understanding of and compliance with such provisions, as well as inspection and
enforcement. The Commission recently approved a FINRA proposal relating to
firm contact information, which becomes effective December 31, 2007. The MSRB
has determined to similarly amend Rule G-40 to ensure a coordinated regulatory
approach in this area. Thus, the proposed amendments to Rule G-40 would
require dealers to: (i) promptly update any change in the required information
for their Primary Contact but not later than 30 days following such change;
(ii) review and, if necessary, update required information on their Primary
Contact within 17 business days after the end of each calendar year; and (iii)
promptly comply with any request by the appropriate regulatory agency (as
defined in Section 3(a)(34) of the Act) for such information but not later than
15 days following such request, or such longer period that may be agreed to by
the appropriate regulatory agency.
The MSRB believes that by substantially conforming Rule G-40
to comparable FINRA requirements relating to e-mail contact information, the
proposed rule change will promote regulatory consistency by facilitating dealer
compliance with such requirements, as well as the inspection and enforcement
thereof.
A copy of a notice describing the proposal in more detail is
attached and will soon be available at the MSRB’s web site at www.msrb.org.