United States Code (Last Updated: May 24, 2014) |
Title 15. COMMERCE AND TRADE |
Chapter 2B. SECURITIES EXCHANGES |
§ 78o–5. Government securities brokers and dealers
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(a) Registration requirements; notice to regulatory agencies; manner of registration; exemption from registration requirements (1) (A) It shall be unlawful for any government securities broker or government securities dealer (other than a registered broker or dealer or a financial institution) to make use of the mails or any means or instrumentality of interstate commerce to effect any transaction in, or to induce or attempt to induce the purchase or sale of, any government security unless such government securities broker or government securities dealer is registered in accordance with paragraph (2) of this subsection. (B) (i) It shall be unlawful for any government securities broker or government securities dealer that is a registered broker or dealer or a financial institution to make use of the mails or any means or instrumentality of interstate commerce to effect any transaction in, or to induce or attempt to induce the purchase or sale of, any government security unless such government securities broker or government securities dealer has filed with the appropriate regulatory agency written notice that it is a government securities broker or government securities dealer. When such a government securities broker or government securities dealer ceases to act as such it shall file with the appropriate regulatory agency a written notice that it is no longer acting as a government securities broker or government securities dealer. (ii) Such notices shall be in such form and contain such information concerning a government securities broker or government securities dealer that is a financial institution and any persons associated with such government securities broker or government securities dealer as the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System shall, by rule, after consultation with each appropriate regulatory agency (including the Commission), prescribe as necessary or appropriate in the public interest or for the protection of investors. Such notices shall be in such form and contain such information concerning a government securities broker or government securities dealer that is a registered broker or dealer and any persons associated with such government securities broker or government securities dealer as the Commission shall, by rule, prescribe as necessary or appropriate in the public interest or for the protection of investors. (iii) Each appropriate regulatory agency (other than the Commission) shall make available to the Commission the notices which have been filed with it under this subparagraph, and the Commission shall maintain and make available to the public such notices and the notices it receives under this subparagraph. (2) A government securities broker or a government securities dealer subject to the registration requirement of paragraph (1)(A) of this subsection may be registered by filing with the Commission an application for registration in such form and containing such information and documents concerning such government securities broker or government securities dealer and any persons associated with such government securities broker or government securities dealer as the Commission, by rule, may prescribe as necessary or appropriate in the public interest or for the protection of investors. Within 45 days of the date of filing of such application (or within such longer period as to which the applicant consents), the Commission shall— (A) by order grant registration, or (B) institute proceedings to determine whether registration should be denied. Such proceedings shall include notice of the grounds for denial under consideration and opportunity for hearing and shall be concluded within 120 days of the date of the filing of the application for registration. At the conclusion of such proceedings, the Commission, by order, shall grant or deny such registration. The Commission may extend the time for the conclusion of such proceedings for up to 90 days if it finds good cause for such extension and publishes its reasons for so finding or for such longer period as to which the applicant consents. The Commission shall grant the registration of a government securities broker or a government securities dealer if the Commission finds that the requirements of this section are satisfied. The order granting registration shall not be effective until such government securities broker or government securities dealer has become a member of a national securities exchange registered under section 78f of this title, or a securities association registered under section 78o–3 of this title, unless the Commission has exempted such government securities broker or government securities dealer, by rule or order, from such membership. The Commission shall deny such registration if it does not make such a finding or if it finds that if the applicant were so registered, its registration would be subject to suspension or revocation under subsection (c) of this section. (3) Any provision of this chapter (other than section 78e of this title or paragraph (1) of this subsection) which prohibits any act, practice, or course of business if the mails or any means or instrumentality of interstate commerce is used in connection therewith shall also prohibit any such act, practice, or course of business by any government securities broker or government securities dealer registered or having filed notice under paragraph (1) of this subsection or any person acting on behalf of such government securities broker or government securities dealer, irrespective of any use of the mails or any means or instrumentality of interstate commerce in connection therewith. (4) No government securities broker or government securities dealer that is required to register under paragraph (1)(A) and that is not a member of the Securities Investor Protection Corporation shall effect any transaction in any security in contravention of such rules as the Commission shall prescribe pursuant to this subsection to assure that its customers receive complete, accurate, and timely disclosure of the inapplicability of Securities Investor Protection Corporation coverage to their accounts. (5) The Secretary of the Treasury (hereinafter in this section referred to as the “Secretary”), by rule or order, upon the Secretary’s own motion or upon application, may conditionally or unconditionally exempt any government securities broker or government securities dealer, or class of government securities brokers or government securities dealers, from any provision of subsection (a), (b), or (d) of this section, other than subsection (d)(3) of this section, or the rules thereunder, if the Secretary finds that such exemption is consistent with the public interest, the protection of investors, and the purposes of this chapter. (b) Rules with respect to transactions in government securities (1) The Secretary shall propose and adopt rules to effect the purposes of this chapter with respect to transactions in government securities effected by government securities brokers and government securities dealers as follows: (A) Such rules shall provide safeguards with respect to the financial responsibility and related practices of government securities brokers and government securities dealers including, but not limited to, capital adequacy standards, the acceptance of custody and use of customers’ securities, the carrying and use of customers’ deposits or credit balances, and the transfer and control of government securities subject to repurchase agreements and in similar transactions. (B) Such rules shall require every government securities broker and government securities dealer to make reports to and furnish copies of records to the appropriate regulatory agency, and to file with the appropriate regulatory agency, annually or more frequently, a balance sheet and income statement certified by an independent public accountant, prepared on a calendar or fiscal year basis, and such other financial statements (which shall, as the Secretary specifies, be certified) and information concerning its financial condition as required by such rules. (C) Such rules shall require records to be made and kept by government securities brokers and government securities dealers and shall specify the periods for which such records shall be preserved. (2) Risk Assessment for Holding Company Systems.— (A) Obligations to obtain, maintain, and report information.— Every person who is registered as a government securities broker or government securities dealer under this section shall obtain such information and make and keep such records as the Secretary by rule prescribes concerning the registered person’s policies, procedures, or systems for monitoring and controlling financial and operational risks to it resulting from the activities of any of its associated persons, other than a natural person. Such records shall describe, in the aggregate, each of the financial and securities activities conducted by, and customary sources of capital and funding of, those of its associated persons whose business activities are reasonably likely to have a material impact on the financial or operational condition of such registered person, including its capital, its liquidity, or its ability to conduct or finance its operations. The Secretary, by rule, may require summary reports of such information to be filed with the registered person’s appropriate regulatory agency no more frequently than quarterly. (B) Authority to require additional information.— If, as a result of adverse market conditions or based on reports provided pursuant to subparagraph (A) of this paragraph or other available information, the appropriate regulatory agency reasonably concludes that it has concerns regarding the financial or operational condition of any government securities broker or government securities dealer registered under this section, such agency may require the registered person to make reports concerning the financial and securities activities of any of such person’s associated persons, other than a natural person, whose business activities are reasonably likely to have a material impact on the financial or operational condition of such registered person. The appropriate regulatory agency, in requiring reports pursuant to this subparagraph, shall specify the information required, the period for which it is required, the time and date on which the information must be furnished, and whether the information is to be furnished directly to the appropriate regulatory agency or to a self-regulatory organization with primary responsibility for examining the registered person’s financial and operational condition. (C) Special provisions with respect to associated persons subject to federal banking agency regulation.— (i) Cooperation in implementation.— In developing and implementing reporting requirements pursuant to subparagraph (A) of this paragraph with respect to associated persons subject to examination by or reporting requirements of a Federal banking agency, the Secretary shall consult with and consider the views of each such Federal banking agency. If a Federal banking agency comments in writing on a proposed rule of the Secretary under this paragraph that has been published for comment, the Secretary shall respond in writing to such written comment before adopting the proposed rule. The Secretary shall, at the request of a Federal banking agency, publish such comment and response in the Federal Register at the time of publishing the adopted rule. (ii) Use of banking agency reports.— A registered government securities broker or government securities dealer shall be in compliance with any recordkeeping or reporting requirement adopted pursuant to subparagraph (A) of this paragraph concerning an associated person that is subject to examination by or reporting requirements of a Federal banking agency if such government securities broker or government securities dealer utilizes for such recordkeeping or reporting requirement copies of reports filed by the associated person with the Federal banking agency pursuant to section 161 of title 12, subchapter VIII of chapter 3 of title 12, section 1817(a) of title 12, section 1467a(b) of title 12, or section 1847 of title 12. The Secretary may, however, by rule adopted pursuant to subparagraph (A), require any registered government securities broker or government securities dealer filing such reports with the appropriate regulatory agency to obtain, maintain, or report supplemental information if the Secretary makes an explicit finding, based on information provided by the appropriate regulatory agency, that such supplemental information is necessary to inform the appropriate regulatory agency regarding potential risks to such government securities broker or government securities dealer. Prior to requiring any such supplemental information, the Secretary shall first request the Federal banking agency to expand its reporting requirements to include such information. (iii) Procedure for requiring additional information.— Prior to making a request pursuant to subparagraph (B) of this paragraph for information with respect to an associated person that is subject to examination by or reporting requirements of a Federal banking agency, the appropriate regulatory agency shall— (I) notify such banking agency of the information required with respect to such associated person; and (II) consult with such agency to determine whether the information required is available from such agency and for other purposes, unless the appropriate regulatory agency determines that any delay resulting from such consultation would be inconsistent with ensuring the financial and operational condition of the government securities broker or government securities dealer or the stability or integrity of the securities markets. (iv) Exclusion for examination reports.— Nothing in this subparagraph shall be construed to permit the Secretary or an appropriate regulatory agency to require any registered government securities broker or government securities dealer to obtain, maintain, or furnish any examination report of any Federal banking agency or any supervisory recommendations or analysis contained therein. (v) Confidentiality of information provided.— No information provided to or obtained by an appropriate regulatory agency from any Federal banking agency pursuant to a request under clause (iii) of this subparagraph regarding any associated person which is subject to examination by or reporting requirements of a Federal banking agency may be disclosed to any other person (other than a self-regulatory organization), without the prior written approval of the Federal banking agency. Nothing in this clause shall authorize the Secretary or any appropriate regulatory agency to withhold information from Congress, or prevent the Secretary or any appropriate regulatory agency from complying with a request for information from any other Federal department or agency requesting the information for purposes within the scope of its jurisdiction, or complying with an order of a court of the United States in an action brought by the United States or the Commission. (vi) Notice to banking agencies concerning financial and operational condition concerns.— The Secretary or appropriate regulatory agency shall notify the Federal banking agency of any concerns of the Secretary or the appropriate regulatory agency regarding significant financial or operational risks resulting from the activities of any government securities broker or government securities dealer to any associated person thereof which is subject to examination by or reporting requirements of the Federal banking agency. (vii) Definition.— For purposes of this subparagraph, the term “Federal banking agency” shall have the same meaning as the term “appropriate Federal banking agency” in section 1813(q) of title 12. (D) Exemptions.— The Secretary by rule or order may exempt any person or class of persons, under such terms and conditions and for such periods as the Secretary shall provide in such rule or order, from the provisions of this paragraph, and the rules thereunder. In granting such exemptions, the Secretary shall consider, among other factors— (i) whether information of the type required under this paragraph is available from a supervisory agency (as defined in section 3401(6) or the rules or regulations thereunder, unless the Commission is the appropriate regulatory agency for such government securities broker or government securities dealer. Nothing in the preceding sentence shall be construed to limit the authority of the Commission with respect to violations or threatened violations of any provision of this chapter other than this section (except subsection (d)(3) of this section), the rules or regulations under any such other provision, or investigations pursuant to section 78u(a)(2) of this title to assist a foreign securities authority. (h) Emergency authority The Secretary may, by order, take any action with respect to a matter or action subject to regulation by the Secretary under this section, or the rules of the Secretary under this section, involving a government security or a market therein (or significant portion or segment of that market), that the Commission may take under section 78l(k)(2) of this title with respect to transactions in securities (other than exempted securities) or a market therein (or significant portion or segment of that market).
References In Text
This chapter, referred to in subsecs. (a)(3), (5), (b)(1), (2)(B), (4)(B), (d)(1), (f)(1), and (g)(2), was in the original “this title”. See References in Text note set out under section 78a of this title.
Subchapter VIII of chapter 3 of title 12, referred to in subsec. (b)(2)(C)(ii), was in the original “section 9 of the Federal Reserve Act”, meaning section 9 of act Dec. 23, 1913, ch. 6, 38 Stat. 251, as amended, which is classified generally to subchapter VIII (§ 321 et seq.) of chapter 3 of Title 12, Banks and Banking.
Section 3401(6) of title 12, referred to in subsec. (b)(2)(D)(i), was redesignated section 3401(7) of title 12 by Pub. L. 101–73, title IX, § 941(1),
Section 1730 of title 12, referred to in subsec. (c)(2)(B), (C), was repealed by Pub. L. 101–73, title IV, § 407,
Section 1464(d)(2) and (d)(3) of title 12, referred to in subsec. (c)(2)(C), was amended generally by Pub. L. 101–73, title III, § 301,
Amendments
2010—Subsec. (a)(2). Pub. L. 111–203, § 985(b)(6)(C), inserted after first sentence in concluding provisions: “The order granting registration shall not be effective until such government securities broker or government securities dealer has become a member of a national securities exchange registered under section 78f of this title, or a securities association registered under section 78o–3 of this title, unless the Commission has exempted such government securities broker or government securities dealer, by rule or order, from such membership.”
Pub. L. 111–203, § 985(b)(6)(A), (B), redesignated cls. (i) and (ii) as subpars. (A) and (B), respectively, realigned margins, and, in subpar. (B), struck out “The order granting registration shall not be effective until such government securities broker or government securities dealer has become a member of a national securities exchange registered under section 78f of this title, or a securities association registered under section 78o–3 of this title, unless the Commission has exempted such government securities broker or government securities dealer, by rule or order, from such membership.” after “grant or deny such registration.”
Subsec. (c)(1)(C). Pub. L. 111–203, § 929F(b)(1), substituted “any person who is, or at the time of the alleged misconduct was, associated or seeking to become associated” for “any person associated, or seeking to become associated,”.
Subsec. (c)(2)(A), (B). Pub. L. 111–203, § 929F(b)(2)(A), (B), inserted “, seeking to become associated, or, at the time of the alleged misconduct, associated or seeking to become associated” after “any person associated”.
Subsec. (g)(1). Pub. L. 111–203, § 376(3), struck out “the Director of the Office of Thrift Supervision, the Federal Savings and Loan Insurance Corporation,” after “the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation,”.
2004—Subsec. (h). Pub. L. 108–458 added subsec. (h).
2002—Subsec. (c)(1)(A), (C). Pub. L. 107–204 substituted “, or is subject to an order or finding,” for “or omission” and “(H), or (G)” for “or (G)”.
1998—Subsec. (f)(5). Pub. L. 105–353 substituted “class of persons” for “class or persons”.
1993—Subsec. (a)(2)(ii). Pub. L. 103–202, § 109(b)(1), inserted “The order granting registration shall not be effective until such government securities broker or government securities dealer has become a member of a national securities exchange registered under section 78f of this title, or a securities association registered under section 78o–3 of this title, unless the Commission has exempted such government securities broker or government securities dealer, by rule or order, from such membership.” before “The Commission may extend”.
Subsec. (a)(4). Pub. L. 103–202, § 108(2), added par. (4). Former par. (4) redesignated (5).
Pub. L. 103–202, § 103(b)(1), inserted “, other than subsection (d)(3) of this section,” after “subsection (a), (b), or (d) of this section”.
Subsec. (a)(5). Pub. L. 103–202, § 108(1), redesignated par. (4) as (5).
Subsec. (b)(3) to (7). Pub. L. 103–202, § 106(a), added par. (3) and redesignated former pars. (3) to (6) as (4) to (7), respectively.
Subsec. (d)(2). Pub. L. 103–202, § 109(c), amended par. (2) generally. Prior to amendment, par. (2) read as follows: “Information received by any appropriate regulatory agency or the Secretary from or with respect to any government securities broker or government securities dealer or with respect to any person associated therewith may be made available by the Secretary or the recipient agency to the Commission, the Secretary, any appropriate regulatory agency, and any self-regulatory organization.”
Subsec. (d)(3). Pub. L. 103–202, § 103(a), added par. (3).
Subsec. (f). Pub. L. 103–202, § 104(2), added subsec. (f). Former subsec. (f) redesignated (g).
Subsec. (f)(2). Pub. L. 103–202, § 103(b)(2), inserted “, other than subsection (d)(3) of this section” after “threatened violation of the provisions of this section” and “(except subsection (d)(3) of this section)” after “other than this section”.
Subsec. (g). Pub. L. 103–202, § 104(1), redesignated subsec. (f) as (g).
Pub. L. 103–202, § 102, struck out subsec. (g) which read as follows:
“(1) The authority of the Secretary to issue orders and to propose and adopt rules under this section shall terminate on
“(2) All orders and rules—
“(A) which have been issued or adopted by the Secretary, and
“(B) which are in effect on the date specified in paragraph (1),
shall continue in effect according to their terms.”
1990—Subsec. (b)(2) to (6). Pub. L. 101–432 added par. (2) and redesignated former pars. (2) to (5) as (3) to (6), respectively.
Subsec. (c)(1)(A), (C). Pub. L. 101–550, § 203(c)(1), substituted “(A), (D), (E), or (G)” for “(A), (D), or (E)”.
Subsec. (f)(2). Pub. L. 101–550, § 203(c)(2), substituted “the rules or regulations under any such other provision, or investigations pursuant to section 78u(a)(2) of this title to assist a foreign securities authority” for “or the rules or regulations under any such other provision”.
1989—Subsec. (f)(1). Pub. L. 101–73 substituted “Director of the Office of Thrift Supervision” for “Federal Home Loan Bank Board”.
1987—Subsec. (a)(1)(B)(i). Pub. L. 100–181 substituted “When such” for “When”.
Effective Date Of Amendment
Amendment by sections 929F(b) and 985(b)(6) of Pub. L. 111–203 effective 1 day after
Amendment by section 376(3) of Pub. L. 111–203 effective on the transfer date, see section 351 of Pub. L. 111–203, set out as a note under section 906 of Title 2, The Congress.
Effective Date
Pub. L. 99–571, title IV, §§ 401–403, “Except as provided in section 402, this Act [enacting section 78o–5 of this title and section 9110 of Title 31, Money and Finance, amending sections 78c, 78o, 78o–3, 78q, 78w, 78y, 80a–9, and 80b–3 of this title and section 3121 of Title 31, and enacting provisions set out as notes under sections 78a and 78o–5 of this title] and the amendments made by this Act shall take effect 270 days after the date of enactment of this Act [ “Notwithstanding section 401, the Secretary of the Treasury and each appropriate regulatory agency shall, within 120 days after the date of enactment of this Act [ “No person may continue to act as a government securities broker or government securities dealer after 270 days after the date of enactment of this Act [
Miscellaneous
Pub. L. 99–571, title III, § 301,
Pub. L. 103–202, title I, § 111,
Transfer Of Functions
Federal Savings and Loan Insurance Corporation abolished and functions transferred, see sections 401 to 406 of Pub. L. 101–73, set out as a note under section 1437 of Title 12, Banks and Banking.
Miscellaneous
Pub. L. 103–202, title I, § 101,
Pub. L. 99–571, § 1(b),
Pub. L. 103–202, title I, § 112,
Pub. L. 99–571, title I, § 103,