On June 6, 2002, the SEC approved new MSRB Rule G-40, on electronic
mail (“E-mail”) contacts, and new Form G-40, as well as related
amendments to Rule G-8, on books and records, and Rule G-9,
on preservation of records. [1]
The new rule requires each broker, dealer and municipal securities
dealer to use new Form G-40 to appoint an E-mail contact to
serve as the official contact person for purposes of electronic
communication between the dealer and the MSRB. The E-mail contact
must be a registered municipal securities principal with the
dealer.
The MSRB is in the process of sending to its current list of
dealers a copy of Form G-40 with instructions for submitting
the form. [2]
PLEASE DO NOT SUBMIT FORMS TO THE MSRB UNTIL YOU RECEIVE
A LETTER REQUESTING YOU TO DO SO.
Rule G-40 will become operative on September 4, 2002.
SUMMARY OF NEW RULE G-40
The events of September 11th, as well as the weeks
that followed, emphasized the importance of, and need for, a
formalized business continuity plan that includes an efficient
and reliable means of official communication between regulators
and the industry. Establishing a reliable method for electronic
communication is needed to allow the MSRB to efficiently alert
dealers to official communications, including time-sensitive
developments, rule changes, notices, etc., and will facilitate
dealers’ internal distribution of such information. In addition,
the MSRB has discontinued publication of MSRB Reports.
MSRB notices now will be available exclusively on its web site
at www.msrb.org. Rule G-40
will ensure that such notices and other MSRB communications
continue to reach each dealer.
Paragraph (a) of Rule G-40 requires that each dealer appoint
an “Electronic Mail Contact” to serve as its official contact
person for purposes of communicating with the MSRB, and that
such person be a registered municipal securities principal of
the dealer. Paragraph (b) requires that each dealer, upon completion
of its Rule A-12 submissions and assignment of an MSRB Registration
Number, submit by mail to the MSRB a completed Form G-40 setting
forth the dealer’s name, date, MSRB Registration Number, name
of its E-mail contact and his/her e-mail address, telephone
number and Individual Central Registration Depository (CRD)
Number, and the name, title, signature and telephone number
of the person who prepared the Form G-40. [3]
Paragraph (b) also provides that the dealer may change its E-mail
contact or other information previously submitted by sending
an amended Form G-40 to the MSRB by e-mail. Paragraph (c) requires
each dealer to update information on its E-mail contact as periodically
requested and prescribed by the MSRB and to submit such information
to the MSRB by e-mail.
As noted above, the SEC also approved amendments to Rule G-8,
on books and records, to require that dealers maintain records
reflecting copies of Form G-40 and any amended forms, as required
by Rule G-40, as well as amendments to Rule G-9, on preservation
of records, to require that dealers retain these records for
a period of three years.
June 12, 2002
TEXT OF NEW RULE G-40 [4]
Rule G-40. Electronic Mail Contacts.
(a) Each broker, dealer or municipal securities dealer shall
appoint an Electronic Mail Contact to serve as the official
contact person for purposes of electronic mail communication
between the broker, dealer or municipal securities dealer and
the MSRB. Each Electronic Mail Contact shall be a registered
municipal securities principal of the broker, dealer or municipal
securities dealer.
(b)(i) Upon completion of its Rule A-12 submissions and assignment
of an MSRB Registration Number, each broker, dealer or municipal
securities dealer shall submit to the MSRB by mail a completed
Form G-40 setting forth, in the prescribed format, the following
information:
(A) The name of the broker, dealer or municipal
securities dealer, and the date.
(B) The MSRB Registration Number of the broker,
dealer or municipal securities dealer.
(C) The name of the Electronic Mail Contact,
and his/her electronic mail address, telephone number and Individual
Central Registration Depository (CRD) Number.
(D) The name, title, signature and telephone
number of the person who prepared the form.
(ii) A broker, dealer or municipal securities dealer may change
the name of its Electronic Mail Contact or other information
previously provided by electronically submitting to the MSRB
an amended Form G-40.
(c) Each broker, dealer or municipal securities dealer shall
update information on its Electronic Mail Contact periodically
as requested and prescribed by the MSRB and shall submit such
information electronically to the MSRB.
Rule G-8. Books and Records to be Made by Brokers, Dealers
and Municipal Securities Dealers
(a) Description of Books and Records to
be Made. Except as otherwise specifically indicated in
this rule, every broker, dealer and municipal securities dealer
shall make and keep current the following books and records,
to the extent applicable to the business of such broker, dealer
or municipal securities dealer:
(i)–(xxi) No change.
(xxii) Records Concerning Electronic Mail Contacts.
Records reflecting copies of Form G-40 and any amended forms,
as required by Rule G-40.
(b) – (e) No change.
(f) Compliance with Rule 17a-3. Brokers,
dealers and municipal securities dealers other than bank dealers
which are in compliance with rule 17a-3 of the Commission will
be deemed to be in compliance with the requirements of the rule,
provided that the information required by subparagraph (a)(iv)(D)
of this rule as it relates to uncompleted transactions involving
customers; paragraph (a)(viii); and paragraphs (a)(ix) through
(a)(xxi) (xxii) shall in any event be maintained.
(g) No change.
Rule G-9. Preservation of Records
(a) No change.
(b) Records to be Preserved for Three
Years. Every broker, dealer and municipal securities dealer
shall preserve the following records for a period of not less
that three years:
(i)–(xiii) No change.
(xiv) the records to be maintained pursuant to rule G-8(a)(xx);
and
(xv)
the records to be maintained pursuant to rule G-8(a)(xxi)
. ;and
(xvi)
the records to be maintained pursuant to rule G-8(a)(xxii).
(c) - (g) No change.
Form G-40
ELECTRONIC MAIL
CONTACT
MSRB Registration Number
_____________________________
Name of Dealer: _________________________________________________________
Date: __________________________________________________________________
The dealer named above designates (name) ____________________________________
as its Electronic Mail Contact for purposes of electronic communications
with the MSRB. This contact person is a registered municipal
securities principal with the dealer.
E-Mail Address of Contact: _________________________________________________
Phone Number of Contact: __________________________________________________
Individual CRD Number of Contact (NASD member firms only):
___________________
(Optional): The dealer named above designates (name) ___________________________
as its second Electronic Mail Contact. This contact person
is a registered municipal securities principal with the dealer.
E-mail Address of Second Designee: _________________________________________
Phone Number of Second Designee: __________________________________________
Individual CRD Number of Second Designee (NASD member firms
only): ___________
Name and title of person preparing this Form:___________________________________
Signature: _______________________________________________________________
Telephone number: _______________________________________________________
NEW FORMS MUST BE MAILED TO:
MSRB
1900 Duke Street, Suite 600
Alexandria, VA 22314
TO SUBMIT AMENDED FORMS & UPDATES ELECTRONICALLY TO
MSRB, PLEASE CALL (703) 797-6600.