NASD Regulation Files Rule Proposal with SEC Requiring Delivery of Margin Disclosure Statement to Customers

On September 5, 2000, NASD Regulation, Inc. (NASD RegulationSM) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) a rule proposal that would require members to deliver to non-institutional customers a specified disclosure statement that discusses the operation of margin accounts and the risks associated with trading on margin. Members would be permitted to develop an alternative margin disclosure statement, provided that the alternative disclosure statement is substantially similar to the mandated statement and incorporates all of the relevant concepts. The rule proposal would require that the disclosure statement be provided to customers prior to or at the opening of a margin account and to all margin customers on an annual basis. As proposed, members would be required to provide the disclosure statement to existing margin customers at the time of the next annual statement to the customer, but not to exceed 180 days from the effective date of the rule change. (See SR-NASD-00-55).

Questions concerning this proposal may be directed to Stephanie M. Dumont, Assistant General Counsel, Office of General Counsel, NASD Regulation, at (202) 728-8176.