Current through Register Vol. 54, No. 44, November 2, 2024
Section 304.011 - Broker-dealer required records(a)Books and records.(1) Every broker-dealer registered under section 301 of the act (70 P.S. § 1-301) shall make and keep the records required to be maintained as described in Rule 17a-3 (17 CFR 240.17a-3) (relating to records to be made by certain exchange members, brokers and dealers) adopted under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (15 U.S.C.A. §§ 78a-78qq).(2) If a broker-dealer registered under the act and not registered as a broker or dealer with the Securities and Exchange Commission fails to make and keep current the books and records required under this section, the broker-dealer shall: (i) Notify the Department immediately.(ii) File a report with the Department, within 24 hours after filing the notice with the Department, stating what steps have been taken and are being taken to fully comply with this section.(b)Records of complaints.(1) Every broker-dealer registered under the act shall make, keep and preserve one of the following: (i) A separate file of written complaints of customers and actions taken by the broker-dealer in response.(ii) A separate record of the complaints and a clear reference to the files containing the correspondence connected with the complaint maintained by the broker-dealer.(2) For purposes of this section, a complaint includes a written statement of a customer or a person acting on behalf of a customer or a written notation of verbal communication alleging a grievance involving the purchase or sale of securities, the solicitation or execution of a transaction, or the disposition of securities or funds of the customer.(3) A registered broker-dealer that also is registered as a broker or dealer with the Securities and Exchange Commission is considered in compliance with the requirements of this subsection if it maintains records of customer complaints as required under applicable Securities and Exchange Commission rules.(c)Retention. The records required to be maintained under this section: (1) Shall be retained and preserved for the period of time designated in Rule 17a-4 (17 CFR 240.17a-4) (relating to records to be preserved by certain exchange members, brokers and dealers) promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.(2) Shall be made easily accessible for inspection by the Department or its representatives.(3) May be retained and preserved as: (i) Microfilm, microfiche or any similar medium.(ii) Electronic or digital storage medium.(iii) Computer disks or tapes, or other similar recording process if adequate facilities are maintained for the examination of the facsimiles and if enlargements or paper copies of the facsimiles can be provided promptly on reasonable request of the Department or its representatives.The provisions of this §304.011 adopted March 29, 1974, effective 3/30/1974, 4 Pa.B. 582; corrected at May 16, 1987, 17 Pa.B. 1921; amended January 17, 1992, effective 1/18/1992, 22 Pa.B. 288; amended January 28, 1994, effective 1/29/1994, 24 Pa.B. 654; amended December 28, 2001, effective 12/29/2001, 31 Pa.B. 7032; transferred and renumbered from 64 Pa. Code § 304.011, December 14, 2012, effective 12/15/2012, 42 Pa.B. 7533; amended January 12, 2018, effective 1/13/2018, 48 Pa.B. 389.The provisions of this §304.011 amended under sections 304(a), (d) and (e) and 609(a) of the Pennsylvania Securities Act of 1972 (70 P.S. §§ 1-304(a), (d) and (e) and 1-609(a)); section 202.C of the Department of Banking and Securities Code (71 P.S. § 733-202.C); and section 9(b) of the Takeover Disclosure Law (70 P.S. § 79(b)).