15 USC 78q(h)(5): Associated persons of broker-dealers, government securities brokers or dealers, or municipal securities dealers.

About This Project

This project uses data compiled by the Sunshine in Government initiative, a coalition of journalism and transparency groups. SGI compiled data from federal agency annual FOIA reports to track how often b(3) exemptions were used. SGI also standardized the exemptions since some agencies used slightly different citations of the same laws. In some cases, agencies listed general laws without specifying a section under which information was withheld. This project does not include information from agencies that use no b(3) exemptions in 2008 or 2009. ProPublica compiled information about FOIA denials.

      
 
                      TITLE 15--COMMERCE AND TRADE
 
                    CHAPTER 2B--SECURITIES EXCHANGES
    
          
Sec. 78q. Records and reports
(a) Rules and regulations

    (1) Every national securities exchange, member thereof, broker or 
dealer who transacts a business in securities through the medium of any 
such member, registered securities association, registered broker or 
dealer, registered municipal securities dealer, registered securities 
information processor, registered transfer agent, nationally recognized 
statistical rating organization, and registered clearing agency and the 
Municipal Securities Rulemaking Board shall make and keep for prescribed 
periods such records, furnish such copies thereof, and make and 
disseminate such reports as the Commission, by rule, prescribes as 
necessary or appropriate in the public interest, for the protection of 
investors, or otherwise in furtherance of the purposes of this chapter. 
Any report that a nationally recognized statistical rating organization 
is required by Commission rules under this paragraph to make and 
disseminate to the Commission shall be deemed furnished to the 
Commission.
    (2) Every registered clearing agency shall also make and keep for 
prescribed periods such records, furnish such copies thereof, and make 
and disseminate such reports, as the appropriate regulatory agency for 
such clearing agency, by rule, prescribes as necessary or appropriate 
for the safeguarding of securities and funds in the custody or control 
of such clearing agency or for which it is responsible.
    (3) Every registered transfer agent shall also make and keep for 
prescribed periods such records, furnish such copies thereof, and make 
such reports as the appropriate regulatory agency for such transfer 
agent, by rule, prescribes as necessary or appropriate in furtherance of 
the purposes of section 78q-1 of this title.

(b) Records subject to examination

         (1) Procedures for cooperation with other agencies

        All records of persons described in subsection (a) of this 
    section are subject at any time, or from time to time, to such 
    reasonable periodic, special, or other examinations by 
    representatives of the Commission and the appropriate regulatory 
    agency for such persons as the Commission or the appropriate 
    regulatory agency for such persons deems necessary or appropriate in 
    the public interest, for the protection of investors, or otherwise 
    in furtherance of the purposes of this chapter: Provided, however, 
    That the Commission shall, prior to conducting any such examination 
    of a--
            (A) registered clearing agency, registered transfer agent, 
        or registered municipal securities dealer for which it is not 
        the appropriate regulatory agency, give notice to the 
        appropriate regulatory agency for such clearing agency, transfer 
        agent, or municipal securities dealer of such proposed 
        examination and consult with such appropriate regulatory agency 
        concerning the feasibility and desirability of coordinating such 
        examination with examinations conducted by such appropriate 
        regulatory agency with a view to avoiding unnecessary regulatory 
        duplication or undue regulatory burdens for such clearing 
        agency, transfer agent, or municipal securities dealer; or
            (B) broker or dealer registered pursuant to section 
        78o(b)(11) of this title, exchange registered pursuant to 
        section 78f(g) of this title, or national securities association 
        registered pursuant to section 78o-3(k) of this title gives 
        notice to the Commodity Futures Trading Commission of such 
        proposed examination and consults with the Commodity Futures 
        Trading Commission concerning the feasibility and desirability 
        of coordinating such examination with examinations conducted by 
        the Commodity Futures Trading Commission in order to avoid 
        unnecessary regulatory duplication or undue regulatory burdens 
        for such broker or dealer or exchange.

               (2) Furnishing data and reports to CFTC

        The Commission shall notify the Commodity Futures Trading 
    Commission of any examination conducted of any broker or dealer 
    registered pursuant to section 78o(b)(11) of this title, exchange 
    registered pursuant to section 78f(g) of this title, or national 
    securities association registered pursuant to section 78o-3(k) of 
    this title and, upon request, furnish to the Commodity Futures 
    Trading Commission any examination report and data supplied to, or 
    prepared by, the Commission in connection with such examination.

                       (3) Use of CFTC reports

        Prior to conducting an examination under paragraph (1), the 
    Commission shall use the reports of examinations, if the information 
    available therein is sufficient for the purposes of the examination, 
    of--
            (A) any broker or dealer registered pursuant to section 
        78o(b)(11) of this title;
            (B) exchange \1\ registered pursuant to section 78f(g) of 
        this title; or
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    \1\ So in original. Probably should be preceded by ``an''.
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            (C) national \2\ securities association registered pursuant 
        to section 78o-3(k) of this title;
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    \2\ So in original. Probably should be preceded by ``a''.

    that is made by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission, a national 
    securities association registered pursuant to section 78o-3(k) of 
    this title, or an exchange registered pursuant to section 78f(g) of 
    this title.

                      (4) Rules of construction

        (A) Notwithstanding any other provision of this subsection, the 
    records of a broker or dealer registered pursuant to section 
    78o(b)(11) of this title, an exchange registered pursuant
    to section 78f(g) of this title, or a national securities 
    association registered pursuant to section 78o-3(k) of this title 
    described in this subparagraph shall not be subject to routine 
    periodic examinations by the Commission.
        (B) Any recordkeeping rules adopted under this subsection for a 
    broker or dealer registered pursuant to section 78o(b)(11) of this 
    title, an exchange registered pursuant to section 78f(g) of this 
    title, or a national securities association registered pursuant to 
    section 78o-3(k) of this title shall be limited to records with 
    respect to persons, accounts, agreements, contracts, and 
    transactions involving security futures products.
        (C) Nothing in the proviso in paragraph (1) shall be construed 
    to impair or limit (other than by the requirement of prior 
    consultation) the power of the Commission under this subsection to 
    examine any clearing agency, transfer agent, or municipal securities 
    dealer or to affect in any way the power of the Commission under any 
    other provision of this chapter or otherwise to inspect, examine, or 
    investigate any such clearing agency, transfer agent, or municipal 
    securities dealer.

(c) Copies of reports filed with other regulatory agencies

    (1) Every clearing agency, transfer agent, and municipal securities 
dealer for which the Commission is not the appropriate regulatory agency 
shall (A) file with the appropriate regulatory agency for such clearing 
agency, transfer agent, or municipal securities dealer a copy of any 
application, notice, proposal, report, or document filed with the 
Commission by reason of its being a clearing agency, transfer agent, or 
municipal securities dealer and (B) file with the Commission a copy of 
any application, notice, proposal, report, or document filed with such 
appropriate regulatory agency by reason of its being a clearing agency, 
transfer agent, or municipal securities dealer. The Municipal Securities 
Rulemaking Board shall file with each agency enumerated in section 
78c(a)(34)(A) of this title copies of every proposed rule change filed 
with the Commission pursuant to section 78s(b) of this title.
    (2) The appropriate regulatory agency for a clearing agency, 
transfer agent, or municipal securities dealer for which the Commission 
is not the appropriate regulatory agency shall file with the Commission 
notice of the commencement of any proceeding and a copy of any order 
entered by such appropriate regulatory agency against any clearing 
agency, transfer agent, municipal securities dealer, or person 
associated with a transfer agent or municipal securities dealer, and the 
Commission shall file with such appropriate regulatory agency, if any, 
notice of the commencement of any proceeding and a copy of any order 
entered by the Commission against the clearing agency, transfer agent, 
or municipal securities dealer, or against any person associated with a 
transfer agent or municipal securities dealer for which the agency is 
the appropriate regulatory agency.
    (3) The Commission and the appropriate regulatory agency for a 
clearing agency, transfer agent, or municipal securities dealer for 
which the Commission is not the appropriate regulatory agency shall each 
notify the other and make a report of any examination conducted by it of 
such clearing agency, transfer agent, or municipal securities dealer, 
and, upon request, furnish to the other a copy of such report and any 
data supplied to it in connection with such examination.
    (4) The Commission or the appropriate regulatory agency may specify 
that documents required to be filed pursuant to this subsection with the 
Commission or such agency, respectively, may be retained by the 
originating clearing agency, transfer agent, or municipal securities 
dealer, or filed with another appropriate regulatory agency. The 
Commission or the appropriate regulatory agency (as the case may be) 
making such a specification shall continue to have access to the 
document on request.

(d) Self-regulatory organizations

    (1) The Commission, by rule or order, as it deems necessary or 
appropriate in the public interest and for the protection of investors, 
to foster cooperation and coordination among self-regulatory 
organizations, or to remove impediments to and foster the development of 
a national market system and national system for the clearance and 
settlement of securities transactions, may--
        (A) with respect to any person who is a member of or participant 
    in more than one self-regulatory organization, relieve any such 
    self-regulatory organization of any responsibility under this 
    chapter (i) to receive regulatory reports from such person, (ii) to 
    examine such person for compliance, or to enforce compliance by such 
    person, with specified provisions of this chapter, the rules and 
    regulations thereunder, and its own rules, or (iii) to carry out 
    other specified regulatory functions with respect to such person, 
    and
        (B) allocate among self-regulatory organizations the authority 
    to adopt rules with respect to matters as to which, in the absence 
    of such allocation, such self-regulatory organizations share 
    authority under this chapter.

In making any such rule or entering any such order, the Commission shall 
take into consideration the regulatory capabilities and procedures of 
the self-regulatory organizations, availability of staff, convenience of 
location, unnecessary regulatory duplication, and such other factors as 
the Commission may consider germane to the protection of investors, 
cooperation and coordination among self-regulatory organizations, and 
the development of a national market system and a national system for 
the clearance and settlement of securities transactions. The Commission, 
by rule or order, as it deems necessary or appropriate in the public 
interest and for the protection of investors, may require any self-
regulatory organization relieved of any responsibility pursuant to this 
paragraph, and any person with respect to whom such responsibility 
relates, to take such steps as are specified in any such rule or order 
to notify customers of, and persons doing business with, such person of 
the limited nature of such self-regulatory organization's responsibility 
for such person's acts, practices, and course of business.
    (2) A self-regulatory organization shall furnish copies of any 
report of examination of any person who is a member of or a participant 
in such self-regulatory organization to any other self-regulatory 
organization of which such person is a member or in which such person is 
a participant upon the request of such person, such other self-
regulatory organization, or the Commission.

(e) Balance sheet and income statement; other financial statements and 
        information

    (1)(A) Every registered broker or dealer shall annually file with 
the Commission a balance sheet and income statement certified by a 
registered public accounting firm, prepared on a calendar or fiscal year 
basis, and such other financial statements (which shall, as the 
Commission specifies, be certified) and information concerning its 
financial condition as the Commission, by rule may prescribe as 
necessary or appropriate in the public interest or for the protection of 
investors.
    (B) Every registered broker and dealer shall annually send to its 
customers its certified balance sheet and such other financial 
statements and information concerning its financial condition as the 
Commission, by rule, may prescribe pursuant to subsection (a) of this 
section.
    (C) The Commission, by rule or order, may conditionally or 
unconditionally exempt any registered broker or dealer, or class of such 
brokers or dealers, from any provision of this paragraph if the 
Commission determines that such exemption is consistent with the public 
interest and the protection of investors.
    (2) The Commission, by rule, as it deems necessary or appropriate in 
the public interest or for the protection of investors, may prescribe 
the form and content of financial statements filed pursuant to this 
chapter and the accounting principles and accounting standards used in 
their preparation.

(f) Missing, lost, counterfeit, and stolen securities

    (1) Every national securities exchange, member thereof, registered 
securities association, broker, dealer, municipal securities dealer, 
government securities broker, government securities dealer, registered 
transfer agent, registered clearing agency, participant therein, member 
of the Federal Reserve System, and bank whose deposits are insured by 
the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation shall--
        (A) report to the Commission or other person designated by the 
    Commission and, in the case of securities issued pursuant to chapter 
    31 of title 31, to the Secretary of the Treasury such information 
    about missing, lost, counterfeit, or stolen securities, in such form 
    and within such time as the Commission, by rule, determines is 
    necessary or appropriate in the public interest or for the 
    protection of investors; such information shall be available on 
    request for a reasonable fee, to any such exchange, member, 
    association, broker, dealer, municipal securities dealer, government 
    securities broker, government securities dealer, transfer agent, 
    clearing agency, participant, member of the Federal Reserve System, 
    or insured bank, and such other persons as the Commission, by rule, 
    designates; and
        (B) make such inquiry with respect to information reported 
    pursuant to this subsection as the Commission, by rule, prescribes 
    as necessary or appropriate in the public interest or for the 
    protection of investors, to determine whether securities in their 
    custody or control, for which they are responsible, or in which they 
    are effecting, clearing, or settling a transaction have been 
    reported as missing, lost, counterfeit, or stolen.

    (2) Every member of a national securities exchange, broker, dealer, 
registered transfer agent, and registered clearing agency, shall require 
that each of its partners, directors, officers, and employees be 
fingerprinted and shall submit such fingerprints, or cause the same to 
be submitted, to the Attorney General of the United States for 
identification and appropriate processing. The Commission, by rule, may 
exempt from the provisions of this paragraph upon specified terms, 
conditions, and periods, any class of partners, directors, officers, or 
employees of any such member, broker, dealer, transfer agent, or 
clearing agency, if the Commission finds that such action is not 
inconsistent with the public interest or the protection of investors. 
Notwithstanding any other provision of law, in providing identification 
and processing functions, the Attorney General shall provide the 
Commission and self-regulatory organizations designated by the 
Commission with access to all criminal history record information.
    (3)(A) In order to carry out the authority under paragraph (1) 
above, the Commission or its designee may enter into agreement with the 
Attorney General to use the facilities of the National Crime Information 
Center (``NCIC'') to receive, store, and disseminate information in 
regard to missing, lost, counterfeit, or stolen securities and to permit 
direct inquiry access to NCIC's file on such securities for the 
financial community.
    (B) In order to carry out the authority under paragraph (1) of this 
subsection, the Commission or its designee and the Secretary of the 
Treasury shall enter into an agreement whereby the Commission or its 
designee will receive, store, and disseminate information in the 
possession, and which comes into the possession, of the Department of 
the Treasury in regard to missing, lost, counterfeit, or stolen 
securities.
    (4) In regard to paragraphs (1), (2), and (3), above insofar as such 
paragraphs apply to any bank or member of the Federal Reserve System, 
the Commission may delegate its authority to:
        (A) the Comptroller of the Currency as to national banks;
        (B) the Federal Reserve Board in regard to any member of the 
    Federal Reserve System which is not a national bank; and
        (C) the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation for any State bank 
    which is insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation but 
    which is not a member of the Federal Reserve System.

    (5) The Commission shall encourage the insurance industry to require 
their insured to report expeditiously instances of missing, lost, 
counterfeit, or stolen securities to the Commission or to such other 
person as the Commission may, by rule, designate to receive such 
information.
(g) Persons extending credit

    Any broker, dealer, or other person extending credit who is subject 
to the rules and regulations prescribed by the Board of Governors of the 
Federal Reserve System pursuant to this chapter shall make such reports 
to the Board as it may require as necessary or appropriate to enable it 
to perform the functions conferred upon it by this chapter. If any such 
broker, dealer, or other person shall fail to make any such report or 
fail to furnish full information therein, or, if in the judgment of the 
Board it is otherwise necessary, such broker, dealer, or other person 
shall permit such inspections to be made by the Board with respect to 
the business operations of such broker, dealer, or other person as the 
Board may deem necessary to enable it to obtain the required 
information.



(h) Risk assessment for holding company systems

     (1) Obligations to obtain, maintain, and report information

        Every person who is (A) a registered broker or dealer, or (B) a 
    registered municipal securities dealer for which the Commission is 
    the appropriate regulatory agency, shall obtain such information and 
    make and keep such records as the Commission 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 the 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 net capital, its 
    liquidity, or its ability to conduct or finance its operations. The 
    Commission, by rule, may require summary reports of such information 
    to be filed with the Commission no more frequently than quarterly.

           (2) Authority to require additional information

        If, as a result of adverse market conditions or based on reports 
    provided to the Commission pursuant to paragraph (1) of this 
    subsection or other available information, the Commission reasonably 
    concludes that it has concerns regarding the financial or 
    operational condition of (A) any registered broker or dealer, or (B) 
    any registered municipal securities dealer, government securities 
    broker, or government securities dealer for which the Commission is 
    the appropriate regulatory agency, the Commission 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 Commission, in 
    requiring reports pursuant to this paragraph, 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 Commission or to a 
    self-regulatory organization with primary responsibility for 
    examining the registered person's financial and operational 
    condition.

     (3) Special provisions with respect to associated persons 
                subject to Federal banking agency regulation

        (A) Cooperation in implementation

            In developing and implementing reporting requirements 
        pursuant to paragraph (1) of this subsection with respect to 
        associated persons subject to examination by or reporting 
        requirements of a Federal banking agency, the Commission 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 Commission under this subsection that has 
        been published for comment, the Commission shall respond in 
        writing to such written comment before adopting the proposed 
        rule. The Commission shall, at the request of the Federal 
        banking agency, publish such comment and response in the Federal 
        Register at the time of publishing the adopted rule.

        (B) Use of banking agency reports

            A registered broker, dealer, or municipal securities dealer 
        shall be in compliance with any recordkeeping or reporting 
        requirement adopted pursuant to paragraph (1) of this subsection 
        concerning an associated person that is subject to examination 
        by or reporting requirements of a Federal banking agency if such 
        broker, dealer, or municipal 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 Commission may, 
        however, by rule adopted pursuant to paragraph (1), require any 
        broker, dealer, or municipal securities dealer filing such 
        reports with the Commission to obtain, maintain, or report 
        supplemental information if the Commission makes an explicit 
        finding that such supplemental information is necessary to 
        inform the Commission regarding potential risks to such broker, 
        dealer, or municipal securities dealer. Prior to requiring any 
        such supplemental information, the Commission shall first 
        request the Federal banking agency to expand its reporting 
        requirements to include such information.

        (C) Procedure for requiring additional information

            Prior to making a request pursuant to paragraph (2) of this 
        subsection for information with respect to an associated person 
        that is subject to examination by or reporting requirements of a 
        Federal banking agency, the Commission shall--
                (i) notify such 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 Commission determines that any 
            delay resulting from such consultation would be inconsistent 
            with ensuring the financial and operational condition of the 
            broker, dealer, municipal securities dealer, government 
            securities broker, or government securities dealer or the 
            stability or integrity of the securities markets.

        (D) Exclusion for examination reports

            Nothing in this subsection shall be construed to permit the 
        Commission to require any registered broker or dealer, or any 
        registered municipal securities dealer, government securities 
        broker, or government securities dealer for which the Commission 
        is the appropriate regulatory agency, to obtain, maintain, or 
        furnish any examination report of any Federal banking agency or 
        any supervisory recommendations or analysis contained therein.

        (E) Confidentiality of information provided

            No information provided to or obtained by the Commission 
        from any Federal banking agency pursuant to a request by the 
        Commission under subparagraph (C) of this paragraph 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 subsection shall authorize the 
        Commission to withhold information from Congress, or prevent the 
        Commission 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.

        (F) Notice to banking agencies concerning financial and 
                operational condition concerns

            The Commission shall notify the Federal banking agency of 
        any concerns of the Commission regarding significant financial 
        or operational risks resulting from the activities of any 
        registered broker or dealer, or any registered municipal 
        securities dealer, government securities broker, or government 
        securities dealer for which the Commission is the appropriate 
        regulatory agency, to any associated person thereof which is 
        subject to examination by or reporting requirements of the 
        Federal banking agency.

        (G) ``Federal banking agency'' defined

            For purposes of this paragraph, the term ``Federal banking 
        agency'' shall have the same meaning as the term ``appropriate 
        Federal bank agency'' in section 1813(q) of title 12.

                           (4) Exemptions

        The Commission by rule or order may exempt any person or class 
    of persons, under such terms and conditions and for such periods as 
    the Commission shall provide in such rule or order, from the 
    provisions of this subsection, and the rules thereunder. In granting 
    such exemptions, the Commission shall consider, among other 
    factors--
            (A) whether information of the type required under this 
        subsection is available from a supervisory agency (as defined in 
        section 3401(6) \3\ of title 12), a State insurance commission 
        or similar State agency, the Commodity Futures Trading 
        Commission, or a similar foreign regulator;
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    \3\ See References in Text note below.
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            (B) the primary business of any associated person;
            (C) the nature and extent of domestic or foreign regulation 
        of the associated person's activities;
            (D) the nature and extent of the registered person's 
        securities activities; and
            (E) with respect to the registered person and its associated 
        persons, on a consolidated basis, the amount and proportion of 
        assets devoted to, and revenues derived from, activities in the 
        United States securities markets.

        
            
 
(5) Authority to limit disclosure of information Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the Commission shall not be compelled to disclose any information required to be reported under this subsection, or any information supplied to the Commission by any domestic or foreign regulatory agency that relates to the financial or operational condition of any associated person of a registered broker, dealer, government securities broker, government securities dealer, or municipal securities dealer. Nothing in this subsection shall authorize the Commission to withhold information from Congress, or prevent the Commission 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. For purposes of section 552 of title 5, this subsection shall be considered a statute described in subsection (b)(3)(B) of such section 552. In prescribing regulations to carry out the requirements of this subsection, the Commission shall designate information described in or obtained pursuant to subparagraph (B) or (C) of paragraph (3) of this subsection as confidential information for purposes of section 78x(b)(2) of this title. (i) Investment bank holding companies (1) Elective supervision of an investment bank holding company not having a bank or savings association affiliate (A) In general An investment bank holding company that is not-- (i) an affiliate of an insured bank (other than an institution described in subpara graph (D), (F), or (G) of section 1841(c)(2), or held under section 1843(f), of title 12), or a savings association; (ii) a foreign bank, foreign company, or company that is described in section 3106(a) of title 12; or (iii) a foreign bank that controls, directly or indirectly, a corporation chartered under section 25A of the Federal Reserve Act [12 U.S.C. 611 et seq.], may elect to become supervised by filing with the Commission a notice of intention to become supervised, pursuant to subparagraph (B) of this paragraph. Any investment bank holding company filing such a notice shall be supervised in accordance with this section and comply with the rules promulgated by the Commission applicable to supervised investment bank holding companies. (B) Notification of status as a supervised investment bank holding company An investment bank holding company that elects under subparagraph (A) to become supervised by the Commission shall file with the Commission a written notice of intention to become supervised by the Commission in such form and containing such information and documents concerning such investment bank holding company as the Commission, by rule, may prescribe as necessary or appropriate in furtherance of the purposes of this section. Unless the Commission finds that such supervision is not necessary or appropriate in furtherance of the purposes of this section, such supervision shall become effective 45 days after the date of receipt of such written notice by the Commission or within such shorter time period as the Commission, by rule or order, may determine. (2) Election not to be supervised by the Commission as an investment bank holding company (A) Voluntary withdrawal A supervised investment bank holding company that is supervised pursuant to paragraph (1) may, upon such terms and conditions as the Commission deems necessary or appropriate, elect not to be supervised by the Commission by filing a written notice of withdrawal from Commission supervision. Such notice shall not become effective until 1 year after receipt by the Commission, or such shorter or longer period as the Commission deems necessary or appropriate to ensure effective supervision of the material risks to the supervised investment bank holding company and to the affiliated broker or dealer, or to prevent evasion of the purposes of this section. (B) Discontinuation of Commission supervision If the Commission finds that any supervised investment bank holding company that is supervised pursuant to paragraph (1) is no longer in existence or has ceased to be an investment bank holding company, or if the Commission finds that continued supervision of such a supervised investment bank holding company is not consistent with the purposes of this section, the Commission may discontinue the supervision pursuant to a rule or order, if any, promulgated by the Commission under this section. (3) Supervision of investment bank holding companies (A) Recordkeeping and reporting (i) In general Every supervised investment bank holding company and each affiliate thereof shall make and keep for prescribed periods such records, furnish copies thereof, and make such reports, as the Commission may require by rule, in order to keep the Commission informed as to-- (I) the company's or affiliate's activities, financial condition, policies, systems for monitoring and controlling financial and operational risks, and transactions and relationships between any broker or dealer affiliate of the supervised investment bank holding company; and (II) the extent to which the company or affiliate has complied with the provisions of this chapter and regulations prescribed and orders issued under this chapter. (ii) Form and contents Such records and reports shall be prepared in such form and according to such specifications (including certification by a registered public accounting firm), as the Commission may require and shall be provided promptly at any time upon request by the Commission. Such records and reports may include-- (I) a balance sheet and income statement; (II) an assessment of the consolidated capital of the supervised investment bank holding company; (III) an independent auditor's report attesting to the supervised investment bank holding company's compliance with its internal risk management and internal control objectives; and (IV) reports concerning the extent to which the company or affiliate has complied with the provisions of this chapter and any regulations prescribed and orders issued under this chapter. (B) Use of existing reports (i) In general The Commission shall, to the fullest extent possible, accept reports in fulfillment of the requirements under this paragraph that the supervised investment bank holding company or its affiliates have been required to provide to another appropriate regulatory agency or self-regulatory organization. (ii) Availability A supervised investment bank holding company or an affiliate of such company shall provide to the Commission, at the request of the Commission, any report referred to in clause (i). (C) Examination authority (i) Focus of examination authority The Commission may make examinations of any supervised investment bank holding company and any affiliate of such company in order to-- (I) inform the Commission regarding-- (aa) the nature of the operations and financial condition of the supervised investment bank holding company and its affiliates; (bb) the financial and operational risks within the supervised investment bank holding company that may affect any broker or dealer controlled by such supervised investment bank holding company; and (cc) the systems of the supervised investment bank holding company and its affiliates for monitoring and controlling those risks; and (II) monitor compliance with the provisions of this subsection, provisions governing transactions and relationships between any broker or dealer affiliated with the supervised investment bank holding company and any of the company's other affiliates, and applicable provisions of subchapter II of chapter 53, title 31 (commonly referred to as the ``Bank Secrecy Act'') and regulations thereunder. (ii) Restricted focus of examinations The Commission shall limit the focus and scope of any examination of a supervised investment bank holding company to-- (I) the company; and (II) any affiliate of the company that, because of its size, condition, or activities, the nature or size of the transactions between such affiliate and any affiliated broker or dealer, or the centralization of functions within the holding company system, could, in the discretion of the Commission, have a materially adverse effect on the operational or financial condition of the broker or dealer. (iii) Deference to other examinations For purposes of this subparagraph, the Commission shall, to the fullest extent possible, use the reports of examination of an institution described in subparagraph (D), (F), or (G) of section 1841(c)(2), or held under section 1843(f), of title 12 made by the appropriate regulatory agency, or of a licensed insurance company made by the appropriate State insurance regulator. (4) Functional regulation of banking and insurance activities of supervised investment bank holding companies The Commission shall defer to-- (A) the appropriate regulatory agency with regard to all interpretations of, and the enforcement of, applicable banking laws relating to the activities, conduct, ownership, and operations of banks, and institutions described in subparagraph (D), (F), and (G) of section 1841(c)(2), or held under section 1843(f), of title 12; and (B) the appropriate State insurance regulators with regard to all interpretations of, and the enforcement of, applicable State insurance laws relating to the activities, conduct, and operations of insurance companies and insurance agents. (5) Definitions For purposes of this subsection: (A) The term ``investment bank holding company'' means-- (i) any person other than a natural person that owns or controls one or more brokers or dealers; and (ii) the associated persons of the investment bank holding company. (B) The term ``supervised investment bank holding company'' means any investment bank holding company that is supervised by the Commission pursuant to this subsection. (C) The terms ``affiliate'', ``bank'', ``bank holding company'', ``company'', ``control'', and ``savings association'' have the same meanings as given in section 1841 of title 12. (D) The term ``insured bank'' has the same meaning as given in section 1813 of title 12. (E) The term ``foreign bank'' has the same meaning as given in section 3101(7) of title 12. (F) The terms ``person associated with an investment bank holding company'' and ``associated person of an investment bank holding company'' mean any person directly or indirectly controlling, controlled by, or under common control with, an investment bank holding company. (j) Authority to limit disclosure of information Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the Commission shall not be compelled to disclose any information required to be reported under subsection (h) or (i) of this section or any information supplied to the Commission by any domestic or foreign regulatory agency that relates to the financial or operational condition of any associated person of a broker or dealer, investment bank holding company, or any affiliate of an investment bank holding company. Nothing in this subsection shall authorize the Commission to withhold information from Congress, or prevent the Commission from complying with a request for information from any other Federal department or agency or any self-regulatory organization 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. For purposes of section 552 of title 5, this subsection shall be considered a statute described in subsection (b)(3)(B) of such section 552. In prescribing regulations to carry out the requirements of this subsection, the Commission shall designate information described in or obtained pursuant to subparagraphs (A), (B), and (C) of subsection (i)(5) \4\ of this section as confidential information for purposes of section 78x(b)(2) of this title. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \4\ So in original. Probably should be subsection ``(i)(3)''. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- (k) Coordination of examining authorities (1) Elimination of duplication The Commission and the examining authorities, through cooperation and coordination of examination and oversight activities, shall eliminate any unnecessary and burdensome duplication in the examination process. (2) Coordination of examinations The Commission and the examining authorities shall share such information, including reports of examinations, customer complaint information, and other nonpublic regulatory information, as appropriate to foster a coordinated approach to regulatory oversight of brokers and dealers that are subject to examination by more than one examining authority. (3) Examinations for cause At any time, any examining authority may conduct an examination for cause of any broker or dealer subject to its jurisdiction. (4) Confidentiality (A) In general Section 78x of this title shall apply to the sharing of information in accordance with this subsection. The Commission shall take appropriate action under section 78x(c) of this title to ensure that such information is not inappropriately disclosed. (B) Appropriate disclosure not prohibited Nothing in this paragraph authorizes the Commission or any examining authority to withhold information from the Congress, or prevent the Commission or any examining authority 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. (5) ``Examining authority'' defined For purposes of this subsection, the term ``examining authority'' means a self-regulatory organization registered with the Commission under this chapter (other than a registered clearing agency) with the authority to examine, inspect, and otherwise oversee the activities of a registered broker or dealer. (June 6, 1934, ch. 404, title I, Sec. 17, 48 Stat. 897; May 27, 1936, ch. 462, Sec. 4, 49 Stat. 1379; June 25, 1938, ch. 677, Sec. 5, 52 Stat. 1076; Pub. L. 94-29, Sec. 14, June 4, 1975, 89 Stat. 137; Pub. L. 99- 571, title I, Sec. 102(h), (i), Oct. 28, 1986, 100 Stat. 3219; Pub. L. 100-181, title III, Sec. 321, title VIII, Sec. 801(b), Dec. 4, 1987, 101 Stat. 1257, 1265; Pub. L. 101-432, Sec. 4(a), Oct. 16, 1990, 104 Stat. 966; Pub. L. 104-290, title I, Sec. 108, Oct. 11, 1996, 110 Stat. 3425; Pub. L. 105-353, title III, Sec. 301(b)(5), Nov. 3, 1998, 112 Stat. 3236; Pub. L. 106-102, title II, Sec. 231(a), Nov. 12, 1999, 113 Stat. 1402; Pub. L. 106-554, Sec. 1(a)(5) [title II, Sec. 204], Dec. 21, 2000, 114 Stat. 2763, 2763A-424; Pub. L. 107-204, title II, Sec. 205(c)(2), July 30, 2002, 116 Stat. 774; Pub. L. 108-386, Sec. 8(f)(5), (6), Oct. 30, 2004, 118 Stat. 2232; Pub. L. 109-291, Sec. 5, Sept. 29, 2006, 120 Stat. 1338.) References in Text This chapter, referred to in subsecs. (a)(1), (b), (d)(1)(A), (B), (e)(2), (g), (i)(3)(A)(ii)(IV), and (k)(5), was in the original ``this title'', and this chapter, referred to in subsec. (i)(3)(A)(i)(II), was in the original ``this Act''. 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. (h)(3)(B), 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 (Sec. 321 et seq.) of chapter 3 of Title 12, Banks and Banking. Section 3401(6) of title 12, referred to in subsec. (h)(4)(A), was redesignated section 3401(7) of title 12 by Pub. L. 101-73, title IX, Sec. 941(1), Aug. 9, 1989, 103 Stat. 496. Section 25A of the Federal Reserve Act, referred to in subsec. (i)(1)(A)(iii), is classified to subchapter II (Sec. 611 et seq.) of chapter 6 of Title 12, Banks and Banking. The Bank Secrecy Act, referred to in subsec. (i)(3)(C)(i)(II), is also the popular name of title I of Pub. L. 91-508, Oct. 26, 1970, 84 Stat. 1114, as amended, which is classified principally to chapter 21 (Sec. 1951 et seq.) of Title 12, Banks and Banking. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under section 1951 of Title 12 and Tables. Amendments 2006--Subsec. (a)(1). Pub. L. 109-291 inserted ``nationally recognized statistical rating organization,'' after ``registered transfer agent,'' and inserted at end ``Any report that a nationally recognized statistical rating organization is required by Commission rules under this paragraph to make and disseminate to the Commission shall be deemed furnished to the Commission.'' 2004--Subsec. (f)(4)(A). Pub. L. 108-386, Sec. 8(f)(5), struck out ``and banks operating under the Code of Law for the District of Columbia'' before semicolon. Subsec. (f)(4)(B). Pub. L. 108-386, Sec. 8(f)(6), struck out ``or a bank operating under the Code of Law for the District of Columbia'' before semicolon. 2002--Subsecs. (e)(1)(A), (i)(3)(A)(ii). Pub. L. 107-204 substituted ``a registered public accounting firm'' for ``an independent public accountant''. 2000--Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 106-554, Sec. 1(a)(5) [title II, Sec. 204(5)], which directed amendment of subsec. (b) by adding at the end pars. (2) to (4)(B), was executed by making the addition after par. (1), to reflect the probable intent of Congress. Pub. L. 106-554, Sec. 1(a)(5) [title II, Sec. 204(1) to (4), (6)], inserted subsec. heading, inserted par. (1) designation and heading before ``All'', substituted ``prior to conducting any such examination of a--'' for ``prior to conducting any such examination of a'', inserted subpar. (A) designation before ``registered clearing'', added subpar. (B), designated last sentence as par. (4)(C) and substituted ``Nothing in the proviso in paragraph (1)'' for ``Nothing in the proviso to the preceding sentence''. 1999--Subsecs. (i) to (k). Pub. L. 106-102 added subsecs. (i) and (j) and redesignated former subsec. (i) as (k). 1998--Subsec. (g). Pub. L. 105-353 substituted ``Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System'' for ``Federal Reserve Board'' in first sentence. 1996--Subsec. (i). Pub. L. 104-290 added subsec. (i). 1990--Subsec. (h). Pub. L. 101-432 added subsec. (h). 1987--Subsec. (c)(2). Pub. L. 100-181, Sec. 321(1), substituted new par. (2) for former par. (2) which read as follows: ``The appropriate regulatory agency for a clearing agency, transfer agent, or municipal securities dealer for which the Commission is not the appropriate regulatory agency shall file with the Commission notice of the commencement of any proceeding and a copy of any order entered by such appropriate regulatory agency against such clearing agency, transfer agent, or municipal securities dealer, and the Commission shall file with such appropriate regulatory agency notice of the commencement of any proceeding and a copy of any order entered by the Commission against such clearing agency, transfer agent, or municipal securities dealer.'' Subsec. (f)(1)(A). Pub. L. 100-181, Sec. 801(b), substituted ``securities issued pursuant to chapter 31 of title 31'' for ``government securities''. Subsec. (f)(2). Pub. L. 100-181, Sec. 321(2), inserted at end ``Notwithstanding any other provision of law, in providing identification and processing functions, the Attorney General shall provide the Commission and self-regulatory organizations designated by the Commission with access to all criminal history record information.'' Subsec. (f)(3)(A). Pub. L. 100-181, Sec. 321(3), substituted ``paragraph (1)'' for ``paragraphs (1) and (2)''. 1986--Subsec. (c)(4). Pub. L. 99-571, Sec. 102(h), added par. (4). Subsec. (f)(1). Pub. L. 99-571, Sec. 102(i)(1), inserted ``government securities broker, government securities dealer,'' in introductory provisions and in subpar. (A). Subsec. (f)(1)(A). Pub. L. 99-571, Sec. 102(i)(2), inserted ``and, in the case of government securities, to the Secretary of the Treasury''. Subsec. (f)(3). Pub. L. 99-571, Sec. 102(i)(3), designated existing provisions as subpar. (A) and added subpar. (B). 1975--Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 94-29 designated existing provisions as par. (1), expanded the coverage to require registered municipal securities dealers, the Municipal Securities Rulemaking Board, registered securities information processors, and registered clearing agencies to make and keep such records, to furnish copies thereof, and to make such reports as the Commission may prescribe and clarified the Commission's authority to require the dissemination of reports submitted pursuant to the rules of the Commission, and added pars. (2) and (3). Subsecs. (b) to (g). Pub. L. 94-29 added subsecs. (b) to (f) and redesignated former subsec. (b) as (g). 1938--Subsec. (a). Act June 25, 1938, inserted ``every registered securities association''. 1936--Subsec. (a). Act May 27, 1936, substituted ``every broker or dealer registered pursuant to section 78o of this title'' for ``every broker or dealer making or creating a market for both the purchase and sale of securities through the use of the mails or of any means or instrumentality of interstate commerce''. Effective Date of 2004 Amendment Amendment by Pub. L. 108-386 effective Oct. 30, 2004, and, except as otherwise provided, applicable with respect to fiscal year 2005 and each succeeding fiscal year, see sections 8(i) and 9 of Pub. L. 108-386, set out as notes under section 321 of Title 12, Banks and Banking. Effective Date of 1986 Amendment Amendment by Pub. L. 99-571 effective 270 days after Oct. 28, 1986, see section 401 of Pub. L. 99-571, set out as an Effective Date note under section 78o-5 of this title. Effective Date of 1975 Amendment Amendment by Pub. L. 94-29 effective June 4, 1975, see section 31(a) of Pub. L. 94-29, set out as a note under section 78b of this title. Transfer of Functions For transfer of functions of Securities and Exchange Commission, with certain exceptions, to Chairman of such Commission, see Reorg. Plan No. 10 of 1950, Secs. 1, 2, eff. May 24, 1950, 15 F.R. 3175, 64 Stat. 1265, set out under section 78d of this title.