95-4941. Amendments to Regulations for the Government Securities Act of 1986  

  • [Federal Register Volume 60, Number 40 (Wednesday, March 1, 1995)]
    [Rules and Regulations]
    [Pages 11022-11026]
    From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
    [FR Doc No: 95-4941]
    
    
    
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    DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY
    
    Office of the Under Secretary for Domestic Finance
    
    17 CFR Parts 400, 401, 402, 403, 404, 405, and 450
    
    RIN 1505-AA44
    
    
    Amendments to Regulations for the Government Securities Act of 
    1986
    
    AGENCY: Office of the Under Secretary for Domestic Finance, Treasury.
    
    ACTION: Final rule.
    
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    SUMMARY: The Department of the Treasury (``Department'') is publishing, 
    as a final rule, amendments to the financial responsibility rules in 
    part 402 and a conforming amendment to a recordkeeping requirement in 
    part 404 of the regulations issued under the Government Securities Act 
    of 1986 (``GSA''). The amendments raise the minimum capital 
    requirements for all government securities brokers and dealers subject 
    to the requirements of Sec. 402.2 and establish a written notification 
    requirement for certain withdrawals of capital. The amendments parallel 
    the Securities and Exchange Commission's (``SEC'') final and proposed 
    amendments to the minimum net capital requirements for brokers and 
    dealers subject to the requirements of 17 CFR 240.15c3-1 (Rule 15c3-1) 
    and final rules regarding the withdrawal of capital. The Department is 
    adopting the amendments unchanged from their proposed form.
    
    DATES: Effective date: March 31, 1995. Further dates: see Sec. 402.2e 
    (Appendix E to Sec. 402.2) for the phase-in schedule for the increased 
    minimum capital levels.
    
    FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Don Hammond (Assistant Director) or 
    Kerry Lanham (Government Securities Specialist) at 202-219-3632. (TDD 
    for the hearing impaired: 202-219-3988.)
    
    SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    
    I. Background
    
        The amendments to the Department's financial responsibility rules 
    in part 402 raise the minimum capital requirements and establish 
    written notification requirements for certain capital withdrawals for 
    those government securities brokers and dealers subject to the 
    provisions of Sec. 402.2. Additionally, the Department is making a 
    conforming change to the recordkeeping requirements of part 404 which 
    is necessitated by the revisions to the minimum capital levels. The 
    amendments parallel rule amendments adopted or proposed by the SEC. The 
    Department's amendments will increase investor confidence in the 
    financial responsibility of government securities brokers and dealers 
    without overburdening the government securities market.
        The SEC published its final capital withdrawal regulations on March 
    5, 1991,1 finalized its first change in minimum capital levels on 
    November 24, 1992,2 but has not yet finalized its second 
    proposal3 on minimum capital levels for certain introducing firms. 
    It is Treasury's objective, where practical, to have consistency with 
    the SEC capital standard4 and, ultimately, develop a uniform 
    capital rule for all government securities brokers and dealers 
    registered with the SEC.5
    
        \1\Securities Exchange Act Release No. 28927 (February 20, 
    1991), 56 FR 9124 (March 5, 1991).
        \2\Securities Exchange Act Release No. 31511 (November 24, 
    1992), 57 FR 56973 (December 2, 1992).
        \3\Securities Exchange Act Release No. 31512 (November 24, 
    1992), 57 FR 57027 (December 2, 1992).
        \4\17 CFR 240.15c3-1.
        \5\The Treasury would have acted sooner on these amendments but 
    its rulemaking authority under the GSA expired on October 1, 1991, 
    and was not reauthorized until December 17, 1993. (107 Stat. 2344, 
    Pub. L. 103-202).
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        The Department first published these amendments in proposed form on 
    June 22, 1994,6 and the comment period closed on August 22, 1994. 
    In addition, the National Association of Securities Dealers distributed 
    the proposed changes to its potentially affected members. Treasury 
    received no comments in response to the proposal.
    
        \6\59 FR 32155 (June 22, 1994).
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    II. Analysis
    
    A. Minimum Capital Requirements
    
        The SEC has either increased or proposed increasing the minimum net 
    capital requirements for most brokers and dealers subject to Rule 15c3-
    1 to an amount ranging up to $250,000, depending on the type of 
    business conducted by the broker or dealer. The Treasury minimum dollar 
    capital levels are based on liquid capital after deducting haircuts, 
    which is comparable to the SEC's calculation of net capital. The 
    Treasury capital rule7 currently has a $5,000 minimum liquid 
    capital requirement for introducing brokers8 and a $25,000 minimum 
    liquid capital requirement for all other government securities brokers 
    and dealers9 subject to the rule. The Department believes that 
    increasing the minimum levels is appropriate in order to provide better 
    protection to investors [[Page 11023]] in the event of a government 
    securities broker's or dealer's insolvency and to reflect the current 
    realities of the government securities market. Accordingly, the 
    Department is increasing the minimum capital requirements for all 
    government securities brokers and dealers subject to the provisions of 
    Sec. 402.2. The other capital requirement--that liquid capital be equal 
    to at least 120% of haircuts10--is unaffected by this action.
    
        \7\17 CFR 402.2.
        \8\17 CFR 402.2(c).
        \9\17 CFR 402.2(b).
        \10\The Treasury capital rule requires that a government 
    securities broker or dealer maintain a capital level of the greater 
    of (i) 120% of total haircuts; or (ii) the minimum dollar capital 
    amounts, computed by deducting total haircuts from liquid capital, 
    applicable to its business.
        The increases are implemented by creating four minimum capital 
    standards from the two current requirements, reflecting a better 
    differentiation of the risks related to a government securities 
    broker's or dealer's operations based on the type of government 
    securities business it conducts. The four minimum capital requirements 
    being adopted are as follows: (1) Government securities brokers and 
    dealers that carry customer or broker-dealer accounts are subject to a 
    minimum level of $250,000; (2) government securities brokers and 
    dealers that carry customer accounts but that operate under the 
    exemption provided by Rule 15c3-3(k)(2)(i)\11\ have a minimum 
    requirement of $100,000; (3) government securities brokers that 
    introduce accounts on a fully disclosed basis and receive but do not 
    hold customer securities are subject to a minimum requirement of 
    $50,000; and (4) introducing firms that never handle customer funds or 
    securities are subject to a minimum requirement of $25,000.
    
        \11\17 CFR 240.15c3-3(k)(2)(i).
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        These changes represent increases from the current minimum levels 
    of between $20,000 and $225,000, depending on the type of business 
    conducted by the government securities broker or dealer. The Department 
    is establishing fewer levels than the SEC has proposed since the 
    operations of registered government securities brokers and dealers do 
    not encompass all the activities available to diversified brokers or 
    dealers. The increases that the Department is adopting are modest 
    relative to the size and complexity of the government securities market 
    and the operations of government securities brokers and dealers.
        An analysis of the government securities brokers and dealers 
    subject to the provisions of Sec. 402.2 indicates that, as of September 
    30, 1994, only four, out of a total of 32, would not be in compliance 
    with the fully phased-in minimum capital levels. One of these firms 
    would not be in compliance with the new requirements for introducing 
    firms, two would be out of compliance with the $100,000 requirement and 
    one would not meet the $250,000 level. The aggregate capital shortfall 
    of these four firms is less than $150,000. To ease the compliance 
    burden and to provide a period for the affected government securities 
    brokers and dealers to raise additional capital, if necessary, the 
    Department is adding an Appendix E to Sec. 402.2 which phases in the 
    increases over approximately an 18-month time frame from the effective 
    date. This corresponds to the phase-in time frames that were used by 
    the SEC.
    
    B. Capital Withdrawal Requirements
    
        The SEC promulgated final rules regarding the withdrawal of capital 
    by brokers and dealers.\12\ These rules require written notification to 
    the SEC and the broker's or dealer's designated examining authority of 
    certain capital withdrawals, add a restriction on the withdrawal of 
    capital based on the ratio of net capital to securities haircuts, 
    provide additional definitions, and permit the SEC, by order, to 
    prohibit the withdrawal of capital in certain described circumstances. 
    The Department is amending its capital withdrawal provisions\13\ to 
    include the notification requirements and certain definitions but has 
    determined not to adopt the other two requirements for the reasons 
    described in the preamble to the proposed rule.
    
        \12\See Supra note 1.
        \13\17 CFR 402.2(i).
        The notification provisions require post-withdrawal notification of 
    certain significant capital withdrawals as well as prior notification 
    for larger withdrawals. The timing of the notification is determined by 
    the aggregate size of total withdrawals relative to the government 
    securities broker's or dealer's excess liquid capital\14\ over a 30 
    calendar day period. Once aggregate withdrawals have exceeded 20 
    percent of a government securities broker's or dealer's excess liquid 
    capital in a 30 calendar day period, the government securities broker 
    or dealer has two business days thereafter in which to file 
    notification of the withdrawals. Aggregate withdrawals that would 
    result in a government securities broker or dealer exceeding in the 
    aggregate 30 percent of excess liquid capital in any 30 calendar day 
    period require notification two business days prior to such 
    withdrawal.\15\ A government securities broker or dealer may use the 
    level of excess liquid capital calculated in its most recent Form G-
    405, ``Report on Finances and Operations of Government Securities 
    Brokers and Dealers (FOGS)'' filing,\16\ provided the firm assures 
    itself that this amount has not materially changed since that time. A 
    government securities broker or dealer is not required to provide 
    notice to the Department, but instead notice is to be sent to the SEC 
    and to the broker's or dealer's designated examining authority.
    
        \14\Excess liquid capital is that amount of liquid capital which 
    exceeds the greater of the amount of capital required under (i) 
    Sec. 402.2(a); or (ii) Sec. 402.2 (b) or (c) as applicable.
        \15\If prior notification is required, the post-withdrawal 
    notification must also be filed.
        \16\17 CFR 405.2 requires certain government securities brokers 
    and dealers to file monthly and quarterly financial reports.
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        Net withdrawals that, in the aggregate, are less than $500,000 in 
    any 30 calendar day period or those that represent securities or 
    commodities transactions between affiliates are excluded from the 
    reporting requirement. The exclusion for securities and commodities 
    transactions requires that the transactions be conducted in the 
    ordinary course of business and settled no later than two business days 
    after the date of the transaction. Forward settling transactions 
    between affiliates are not eligible for this exclusion. Therefore, net 
    losses on forward contracts or net payments on swap agreements, if due 
    an affiliate, could trigger the notice requirement. The Department 
    specifically requested comment about the limitations on this exception. 
    As stated earlier, no comments were received on any aspect of the rule 
    and, therefore, the Department is adopting this provision and the rule 
    as proposed.
        The SEC's capital withdrawal rule has a provision giving the SEC 
    authority to prohibit a withdrawal of capital by a broker or dealer, 
    for up to 20 business days, if the withdrawal would exceed 30 percent 
    of excess net capital and is deemed detrimental to the financial 
    integrity of the broker or dealer or may unduly jeopardize the broker's 
    or dealer's ability to repay its creditors.\17\ The SEC intends that 
    this provision be used in emergency situations and the rule provides 
    for an expeditious review of the SEC's action. For the reasons 
    discussed in the preamble to the proposed rule and after receiving no 
    comments to the contrary, the Department has determined that a similar 
    provision will not be incorporated in the Treasury capital rule.
    
        \17\17 CFR 240.15c3-1(e)(3).
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        The Department's decision not to enact a corresponding order 
    provision is [[Page 11024]] supported by the fact that the SEC has 
    existing temporary cease and desist authority. A temporary cease and 
    desist order, while different from a capital withdrawal order, serves a 
    similar purpose. Both are emergency remedies that can be expeditiously 
    applied. Prior to issuing a temporary cease and desist order, the SEC 
    must provide notice and opportunity for a hearing unless the SEC ``* * 
    *determines that notice and hearing prior to entry would be 
    impracticable or contrary to the public interest.''\18\
    
        \18\15 U.S.C. 78u-3(c)(1).
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        The more limited scope of the temporary cease and desist order is 
    not problematic to the Department because the authority provides the 
    SEC with the ability to issue such an order not only if a rule 
    violation has occurred but also if one is threatened. Because the SEC 
    is the appropriate regulatory agency for government securities brokers 
    or dealers subject to Sec. 402.2, an impending violation of a 
    Sec. 402.2 requirement could be cause for the issuance of a temporary 
    cease and desist order. As discussed more fully in the preamble to the 
    proposed rule, the Department believes that, in lieu of developing a 
    separate capital withdrawal order provision, it should rely on the 
    SEC's existing cease and desist order authority.
        Consistent with this approach, the Department also is excluding 
    this provision of Rule 15c3-1 from the compliance requirements for 
    those government securities brokers and dealers registered under 
    Section 15C of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (15 U.S.C. 78o-5) 
    that are subject to the SEC capital rule (i.e., interdealer brokers 
    operating under Sec. 402.1(e) and futures commission merchants).
        In adopting the withdrawal provisions, the Department has 
    restructured certain related definitions of terms into a Miscellaneous 
    Provisions paragraph (i)(3) and has added a description of what 
    constitutes an advance or loan of liquid capital, which is one 
    component of the restricted activities.
    C. Conforming Change
    
        Due to the revisions of the minimum capital requirements under both 
    the SEC and Treasury capital rules, a conforming change is required in 
    the recordkeeping provisions of part 404. Specifically, paragraph 
    404.2(a)(4) contains references to the minimum dollar capital amounts 
    required of government securities clearing brokers and dealers. The 
    Department is revising these references in accordance with the fully 
    phased-in minimum capital level of $250,000 required of clearing firms.
    
    III. Special Analyses
    
        It has been determined that these amendments are not a 
    ``significant regulatory action'' as defined in Executive Order 12866. 
    Therefore, a Regulatory Assessment is not required.
        In the preamble to the proposed rules, pursuant to the Regulatory 
    Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 601, et seq.), the Department certified that 
    these amendments, if adopted, would not have a significant economic 
    impact on a substantial number of small entities. Accordingly, a 
    regulatory flexibility analysis was not prepared. In reviewing the 
    final rules being adopted herein and in light of the fact that no 
    comments were received, the Department has concluded that there is no 
    reason to alter the previous certification.
        The collections of information contained in the final regulations 
    have been reviewed and approved by the Office of Management and Budget 
    in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act (44 U.S.C. 3504(h)) 
    under control number 1535-0089.
    
        Estimated total annual reporting burden: 5 hours.
        Estimated average annual burden per respondent: 1 hour.
        Estimated number of respondents: 5.
        Estimated annual frequency of response: Twice.
    
        Comments concerning the accuracy of this burden estimate and 
    suggestions for reducing this burden should be directed to the Forms 
    Management Branch, Bureau of the Public Debt, Department of the 
    Treasury, Parkersburg, West Virginia 26106-1328; and to the Office of 
    Management and Budget, Paperwork Reduction Project 1535-0089, 
    Attention: Desk Officer for Department of the Treasury, Washington, DC 
    20503.
    
    List of Subjects
    
    17 CFR Part 402
    
        Brokers, Government securities.
    
    17 CFR Part 404
    
        Banks, banking, Brokers, Government securities, Reporting and 
    recordkeeping requirements.
        For the reasons set out in the preamble, 17 CFR chapter IV is 
    amended as follows:
    
    PART 402--FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY
    
        1. The authority citation for part 402 is revised to read as 
    follows:
    
        Authority: 15 U.S.C. 78o-5(b)(1)(A), (b)(4).
    
        2. Section 402.1 is amended by revising paragraphs (d) and (e)(1) 
    to read as follows:
    
    
    Sec. 402.1  Application of part to registered brokers and dealers and 
    financial institutions; special rules for futures commission merchants 
    and government securities interdealer brokers; effective date.
    
    * * * * *
        (d) Futures commission merchants. A futures commission merchant 
    subject to Sec. 1.17 of this title that is a government securities 
    broker or dealer but is not a registered broker or dealer shall not be 
    subject to the limitations of Sec. 402.2 but rather to the capital 
    requirement of Sec. 1.17 or Sec. 240.15c3-1, except paragraph (e)(3) 
    thereof, of this title, whichever is greater.
        (e) Government securities interdealer broker. (1) A government 
    securities interdealer broker, as defined in paragraph (e)(2) of this 
    section, may, with the prior written consent of the Secretary, elect 
    not to be subject to the limitations of Sec. 402.2 but rather to be 
    subject to the requirements of Sec. 240.15c3-1 of this title (SEC Rule 
    15c3-1), except paragraphs (c)(2)(ix) and (e)(3) thereof, and 
    paragraphs (e)(3) through (8) of this section by filing such election 
    in writing with its designated examining authority. A government 
    securities interdealer broker may not revoke such election without the 
    written consent of its designated examining authority.
    * * * * *
        3. Section 402.2 is amended by revising paragraphs (b), (c) and 
    (i), and by adding an OMB parenthetical at the end of the section to 
    read as follows:
    
    
    Sec. 402.2  Capital requirements for registered government securities 
    brokers or dealers.
    
    * * * * *
        (b)(1) Minimum liquid capital for brokers or dealers that carry 
    customer accounts. Notwithstanding the provisions of paragraph (a) of 
    this section, a government securities broker or dealer that carries 
    customer or broker or dealer accounts and receives or holds funds or 
    securities for those persons within the meaning of Sec. 240.15c3-
    1(a)(2)(i) of this title, shall have and maintain liquid capital in an 
    amount not less than $250,000 (see paragraph (a) of Appendix E to this 
    section, Sec. 402.2e, for temporary minimum requirements), after 
    deducting total haircuts as defined in paragraph (g) of this section.
        (2) Minimum liquid capital for brokers or dealers that carry 
    customer accounts, but do not generally hold customer funds or 
    securities. Notwithstanding the provisions of [[Page 11025]] paragraphs 
    (a) and (b)(1) of this section, a government securities broker or 
    dealer that carries customer or broker or dealer accounts and is exempt 
    from the provisions of Sec. 240.15c3-3 of this title, as made 
    applicable to government securities brokers and dealers by Sec. 403.4 
    of this chapter, pursuant to paragraph (k)(2)(i) thereof (17 CFR 
    240.15c3-3(k)(2)(i)), shall have and maintain liquid capital in an 
    amount not less than $100,000 (see paragraph (b) of Appendix E to this 
    section, Sec. 402.2(e), for temporary minimum requirements), after 
    deducting total haircuts as defined in paragraph (g) of this section.
        (c)(1) Minimum liquid capital for introducing brokers that receive 
    securities. Notwithstanding the provisions of paragraphs (a) and (b) of 
    this section, a government securities broker or dealer that introduces 
    on a fully disclosed basis transactions and accounts of customers to 
    another registered or noticed government securities broker or dealer 
    but does not receive, directly or indirectly, funds from or for, or owe 
    funds to, customers, and does not carry the accounts of, or for, 
    customers shall have and maintain liquid capital in an amount not less 
    than $50,000 (see paragraph (c) of Appendix E to this section, 
    Sec. 402.2(e), for temporary minimum requirements), after deducting 
    total haircuts as defined in paragraph (g) of this section. A 
    government securities broker or dealer operating pursuant to this 
    paragraph (c)(1) may receive, but shall not hold customer or other 
    broker or dealer securities.
        (2) Minimum liquid capital for introducing brokers that do not 
    receive or handle customer funds or securities. Notwithstanding the 
    provisions of paragraphs (a), (b) and (c)(1) of this section, a 
    government securities broker or dealer that does not receive, directly 
    or indirectly, or hold funds or securities for, or owe funds or 
    securities to, customers, and does not carry accounts of, or for, 
    customers and that effects ten or fewer transactions in securities in 
    any one calendar year for its own investment account shall have and 
    maintain liquid capital in an amount not less than $25,000 (see 
    paragraph (d) of Appendix E to this section, Sec. 402.2(e), for 
    temporary minimum requirements), after deducting total haircuts as 
    defined in paragraph (g) of this section.
    * * * * *
        (i) Provisions relating to the withdrawal of equity capital.
        (1) Notice Provisions. No equity capital of the government 
    securities broker or dealer or a subsidiary or affiliate consolidated 
    pursuant to Appendix C to this section, Sec. 402.2c, may be withdrawn 
    by action of a stockholder or partner, or by redemption or repurchase 
    of shares of stock by any of the consolidated entities or through the 
    payment of dividends or any similar distribution, nor may any unsecured 
    advance or loan be made to a stockholder, partner, sole proprietor, 
    employee or affiliate without providing written notice, given in 
    accordance with paragraph (i)(1)(iv) of this section, when specified in 
    paragraphs (i)(1) (i) and (ii) of this section:
        (i) Two business days prior to any withdrawals, advances or loans 
    if those withdrawals, advances or loans on a net basis exceed in the 
    aggregate in any 30 calendar day period, 30 percent of the government 
    securities broker's or dealer's excess liquid capital. A government 
    securities broker or dealer, in an emergency situation, may make 
    withdrawals, advances or loans that on a net basis exceed 30 percent of 
    the government securities broker's or dealer's excess liquid capital in 
    any 30 calendar day period without giving the advance notice required 
    by this paragraph, with the prior approval of its designated examining 
    authority. When a government securities broker or dealer makes a 
    withdrawal with the consent of its designated examining authority, it 
    shall in any event comply with paragraph (i)(1)(ii) of this section; 
    and
        (ii) Two business days after any withdrawals, advances or loans if 
    those withdrawals, advances or loans on a net basis exceed in the 
    aggregate in any 30 calendar day period, 20 percent of the government 
    securities broker's or dealer's excess liquid capital.
        (iii) This paragraph (i)(1) of this section does not apply to:
        (A) Securities or commodities transactions in the ordinary course 
    of business between a government securities broker or dealer and an 
    affiliate where the government securities broker or dealer makes 
    payment to or on behalf of such affiliate for such transaction and then 
    receives payment from such affiliate for the securities or commodities 
    transaction within two business days from the date of the transaction; 
    or
        (B) Withdrawals, advances or loans which in the aggregate in any 
    such 30 calendar day period, on a net basis, equal $500,000 or less.
        (iv) Each required notice shall be effective when received by the 
    Commission in Washington, DC, the regional or district office of the 
    Commission for the area in which the government securities broker or 
    dealer has its principal place of business, and the government 
    securities broker's or dealer's designated examining authority.
        (2) Withdrawal Limitations. No equity capital of the government 
    securities broker or dealer or a subsidiary or affiliate consolidated 
    pursuant to Appendix C to this section, Sec. 402.2c, may be withdrawn 
    by action of a stockholder or a partner, or by redemption or repurchase 
    of shares of stock by any of the consolidated entities or through the 
    payment of dividends or any similar distribution, nor may any unsecured 
    advance or loan be made to a stockholder, partner, sole proprietor, 
    employee or affiliate if, after giving effect thereto and to any other 
    such withdrawals, advances or loans and any Payments of Payment 
    Obligations (as defined in Sec. 240.15c3-1d of this title, Appendix D 
    to SEC Rule 15c3-1, modified as provided in Appendix D to this section, 
    Sec. 402.2d) under satisfactory subordination agreements which are 
    scheduled to occur within 180 calendar days following such withdrawal, 
    advance or loan, either:
        (i) The ratio of liquid capital to total haircuts, determined as 
    provided in Sec. 402.2, would be less than 150 percent; or
        (ii) Liquid capital minus total haircuts would be less than 120 
    percent of the minimum capital required by Sec. 402.2(b) or 
    Sec. 402.2(c) as applicable; or
        (iii) In the case of any government securities broker or dealer 
    included in such consolidation, the total outstanding principal amounts 
    of satisfactory subordination agreements of the government securities 
    broker or dealer (other than such agreements which qualify as equity 
    under Sec. 240.15c3-1(d) of this title) would exceed 70% of the debt-
    equity total as defined in Sec. 240.15c3-1(d).
        (3) Miscellaneous Provisions. (i) Excess liquid capital is that 
    amount in excess of the amount required by the greater of Sec. 402.2(a) 
    or, Secs. 402.2 (b) or (c), as applicable. For the purposes of 
    paragraphs (i)(1) and (i)(2) of this section, a government securities 
    broker or dealer may use the amount of excess liquid capital, liquid 
    capital and total haircuts reported in its most recently required filed 
    Form G-405 for the purposes of calculating the effect of a projected 
    withdrawal, advance or loan relative to excess liquid capital or total 
    haircuts. The government securities broker or dealer must assure itself 
    that the excess liquid capital, liquid capital or the total haircuts 
    reported on the most recently required filed Form G-405 have not 
    materially changed since the time such report was filed.
        (ii) The term equity capital includes capital contributions by 
    partners, par or [[Page 11026]] stated value of capital stock, paid-in 
    capital in excess of par, retained earnings or other capital accounts. 
    The term equity capital does not include securities in the securities 
    accounts of partners and balances in limited partners' capital accounts 
    in excess of their stated capital contributions.
        (iii) Paragraphs (i)(1) and (i)(2) of this section shall not 
    preclude a government securities broker or dealer from making required 
    tax payments or preclude the payment to partners of reasonable 
    compensation, and such payments shall not be included in the 
    calculation of withdrawals, advances or loans for purposes of 
    paragraphs (i)(1) and (i)(2) of this section.
        (iv) For the purposes of this subsection (i), any transaction 
    between a government securities broker or dealer and a stockholder, 
    partner, sole proprietor, employee or affiliate that results in a 
    diminution of the government securities broker's or dealer's liquid 
    capital shall be deemed to be an advance or loan of liquid capital.
    * * * * *
    (Approved by the Office of Management and Budget under control 
    number 1535-0089)
    
        4. By adding Sec. 402.2e (Appendix E) as follows:
    
    
    Sec. 402.2e  Appendix E--Temporary Minimum Requirements.
    
        (a) A government securities broker or dealer that falls within the 
    provisions of paragraph (b)(1) of Sec. 402.2 shall maintain not less 
    than the greater of:
        (1) The amount of liquid capital required under paragraph (a) of 
    Sec. 402.2(a); or
        (2) The amount of liquid capital, after deducting total haircuts, 
    of:
        (i) $25,000 through June 30, 1995;
        (ii) $100,000 from July 1, 1995 through December 31, 1995;
        (iii) $175,000 from January 1, 1996 through June 30, 1996; and
        (iv) $250,000 from July 1, 1996 and thereafter.
        (b) A government securities broker or dealer that falls within the 
    provisions of paragraph (b)(2) of Sec. 402.2 shall maintain not less 
    than the greater of:
        (1) The amount of liquid capital required under paragraph (a) of 
    Sec. 402.2; or
        (2) The amount of liquid capital, after deducting total haircuts, 
    of:
        (i) $25,000 through June 30, 1995;
        (ii) $50,000 from July 1, 1995 through December 31, 1995;
        (iii) $75,000 from January 1, 1996 through June 30, 1996; and
        (iv) $100,000 from July 1, 1996 and thereafter.
        (c) A government securities broker that falls within the provisions 
    of paragraph (c)(1) of Sec. 402.2 shall maintain not less than the 
    greater of:
        (1) The amount of liquid capital required under paragraph (a) of 
    Sec. 402.2; or
        (2) The amount of liquid capital, after deducting total haircuts, 
    of:
        (i) $5,000 through June 30, 1995;
        (ii) $20,000 from July 1, 1995 through December 31, 1995;
        (iii) $35,000 from January 1, 1996 through June 30, 1996; and
        (iv) $50,000 from July 1, 1996 and thereafter.
        (d) A government securities broker that falls within the provisions 
    of paragraph (c)(2) of Sec. 402.2 shall maintain not less than the 
    greater of:
        (1) The amount of liquid capital required under paragraph (a) of 
    Sec. 402.2; or
        (2) The amount of liquid capital, after deducting total haircuts, 
    of:
        (i) $5,000 through June 30, 1995;
        (ii) $11,000 from July 1, 1995 through December 31, 1995;
        (iii) $18,000 from January 1, 1996 through June 30, 1996; and
        (iv) $25,000 from July 1, 1996 and thereafter.
    * * * * *
    
    PART 404--RECORDKEEPING AND PRESERVATION OF RECORDS
    
        5. The authority citation for Part 404 is revised to read as 
    follows:
    
        Authority: 15 U.S.C. 78o-5(b)(1)(B), (b)(1)(C), (b)(4).
    
        6. Section 404.2 is amended by revising paragraph (a)(4) to read as 
    follows:
    
    
    Sec. 404.2  Records to be made and kept current by registered 
    government securities brokers and dealers; records of non-resident 
    registered government securities brokers and dealers.
    
        (a) * * *
        (4) Paragraph 240.17a-3(b)(1) is modified to read as follows:
        ``(1) This section shall not be deemed to require a government 
    securities broker or dealer registered pursuant to Section 15C(a)(1)(A) 
    of the Act (15 U.S.C. 78o-5(a)(1)(A)) to make or keep such records of 
    transactions cleared for such government securities broker or dealer as 
    are customarily made and kept by a clearing broker or dealer pursuant 
    to the requirements of Secs. 240.17a-3 and 240.17a-4: Provided, that 
    the clearing broker or dealer has and maintains net capital of not less 
    than $250,000 (or, in the case of a clearing broker or dealer that is a 
    registered government securities broker or dealer, liquid capital less 
    total haircuts, determined as provided in Sec. 402.2 of this title, of 
    not less than $250,000) and is otherwise in compliance with 
    Sec. 240.15c3-1, Sec. 402.2 of this title, or the capital rules of the 
    exchange of which such clearing broker or dealer is a member if the 
    members of such exchange are exempt from Sec. 240.15c3-1 by paragraph 
    (b)(2) thereof.''.
    * * * * *
    
    
    Secs. 400.4, 400.5, 401.9, 403.5, 404.2, 404.3, 404.4, 404.5, 405.2, 
    and 450.4  [Amended]
    
        7. For each section indicated in the list above, remove the Office 
    of Management and Budget control number from the parenthetical 
    statement at the end of each section, and add in its place ``1535-
    0089'':
    
        Dated: February 15, 1995.
    Frank N. Newman,
    Deputy Secretary.
    [FR Doc. 95-4941 Filed 2-28-95; 8:45 am]
    BILLING CODE 4810-39-W
    
    

Document Information

Published:
03/01/1995
Department:
Treasury Department
Entry Type:
Rule
Action:
Final rule.
Document Number:
95-4941
Pages:
11022-11026 (5 pages)
RINs:
1505-AA44
PDF File:
95-4941.pdf
CFR: (11)
17 CFR 402.2(a)
17 CFR 402.2(a)
17 CFR 402.2(c)
17 CFR 402.2d)
17 CFR 402.2(e)
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