SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Release No. 34-45897 / May 8, 2002

File No. S7-12-01

Order Extending Temporary Exemption of Banks, Savings Associations, and Savings Banks from the Definitions of "Broker" and "Dealer" under Sections 3(a)(4) and 3(a)(5) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; Notice of Intent to Amend Rules

I. Background

The Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act ("GLBA") repealed the blanket exception of banks from the definitions of "broker" and "dealer" under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 ("Exchange Act")¹ and replaced this full exception with functional exceptions incorporated in amended definitions of "broker" and "dealer." Under the statute, banks that engage in securities activities either must conduct those activities through a registered broker-dealer or assure that their securities activities fit within the terms of a functional exception to the amended definitions of "broker" and "dealer."

Under the GLBA, the amended definitions of "broker" and "dealer" were to become effective May 12, 2001. On May 11, 2001, the Securities and Exchange Commission ("Commission") issued interim final rules ("Rules") to define certain terms used in, and grant additional exemptions from, the amended definitions of "broker" and "dealer."² The Rules include Rule 15a-7, which gave banks a temporary exemption from the definitions of "broker" and "dealer" until October 1, 2001, and provided an additional conditional exemption until January 1, 2002. The Rules also include Rule 15a-8, which extended the exceptions and exemptions granted to banks under the statute and Rules to savings associations and savings banks.³ On July 18, 2001, the Commission issued an Order providing banks, savings associations, and savings banks an additional conditional exemption from the definition of "broker" and "dealer" under the Exchange Act until May 12, 2002 ("May 12th Order").⁴ The effect of the May 12th Order was to delay the date for compliance with the new statutory scheme under the GLBA.

II. Extension of Temporary Exemption from Definitions of "Broker" and "Dealer"

In light of the on-going dialogue between the Commission and industry participants, the Commission recognizes that some of the Rules in their current form will need to be amended. As such, banks could be faced with the challenge of complying with the new statutory scheme based on the guidance (and exemptions) provided under the current Rules only to have that guidance (and exemptions) change when the Rules are amended.

In an effort to find workable solutions to the issues presented, the Commission is carefully considering industry comments to determine what changes should be made to the Rules. Additional time is needed to propose those changes, analyze comments, and adopt final rules.

For these reasons, the Commission finds that extending the temporary exemption of banks, savings associations, and savings banks from the definitions of "broker" and "dealer" is necessary and appropriate in the public interest, and is consistent with the protection of investors. The Commission believes that extending the exemption from the definition of "broker" until May 12, 2003 and from the definition of "dealer" until November 12, 2002 will prevent banks from unnecessarily incurring costs to comply with the statutory scheme based on the current Rules rather than the Rules when amended and will give the Commission time to fully consider comments received on the Rules and amend the Rules as necessary.

III. Notice of Intent to Amend Rules

As indicated in the May 12th Order, the Commission expects to amend the Rules and further extend the temporary exemption from the definitions of "broker" and "dealer," as appropriate, so that banks will have a sufficient transition period to bring their operations into compliance with the new statutory scheme based on the guidance (and exemptions) provided in the amended Rules. We note that comments received to date have indicated that banks may need as much as a year to develop compliance systems to adapt to the GLBA in light of amended Rules. The Commission does not expect banks to develop compliance systems for the provisions of the GLBA discussed in the Rules until the Commission has amended the Rules. The Commission believes that banks should continue to focus on the transition to full implementation of functional regulation, including seeking compliance advice regarding issues under the GLBA and exploring forming relationships with broker-dealers if needed.

IV. Conclusion

Accordingly, pursuant to Section 36 of the Exchange Act [15 U.S.C. 78mm],

IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that banks, savings associations, and savings banks are exempt from the definitions of the term "broker" under the Exchange Act until May 12, 2003 and the term "dealer" under the Exchange Act until November 12, 2002.

By the Commission.

Jill M. Peterson
Assistant Secretary

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1	As defined in Exchange Act Sections 3(a)(4) and 3(a)(5) [15 U.S.C. 78c(a)(4) and 78c(a)(5)].
2	See Definition of Terms in and Specific Exemptions for Banks, Savings Associations, and Savings Banks Under Sections 3(a)(4) and 3(a)(5) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, Release No. 34-44291 (May 11, 2001), 66 FR 27760 (May 18, 2001) ("Adopting Release").
3	The term "bank" is defined in Exchange Act Section 3(a)(6) [15 U.S.C. 78c(a)(6)]. The terms "savings associations" and "savings banks" as used here have the same meanings as in Rule 15a-9 [17 CFR 240.15a-9].
4	Release No. 34-44570 (July 18, 2001).

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