2015-05-01
The Minister of Trinidad and Tobago issued the Securities (General) By-Laws 2015 to establish detailed regulatory requirements under the Securities Act, 2012. These By-laws mandate strict conduct standards for Commission members, registration criteria for registrants and self-regulatory organizations, and comprehensive obligations regarding capital, record-keeping, and market conduct. The regulations also define solvency standards, conflict of interest rules, auditor qualifications, and the administration of contingency and settlement assurance funds.
SECURITIES (GENERAL) BY-LAWS, 2015 PART I PRELIMINARY Section
PART V OBLIGATIONS OF REGISTRANTS AND SELF-REGULATORY ORGANIZATIONS 27. Capital requirements and notification 28. Quarterly calculation of capital requirements 29. Record-keeping by registrants 30. Adequate precautions and access 31. Records of original entry 32. Ledgers 33. Ledger account 34. Securities record 35. Order and instructions 36. Confirmation and notice 37. Cash and margin account 38. Option records 39. Audited annual comparative financial statements of registrants 40. Interim financial statements 41. Financial statements to customer by registrants 42. Education and training 43. Standards of investment for filing 44. Statements of accounts 45. Acknowledgement of record entry transfers in contract 46. Branch offices 47. Filing of annual report 48. Annual comparative financial statements 49. Certificate of annual and interim comparitive financial statements for collective investment schemes 50. Management discussion and analysis 51. Acceptable accounting principles 52. Filing of material sent to security holders or filed abroad 53. Notification of changes PART VI MARKET CONDUCT AND REGULATION 54. Trading confirmations 55. Client accounts 56. Trades conducted other than through a securities exchange 57. Separate supervision of accounts and pooling 58. Segregation of client securities 59. Improper use of client assets 60. Know your client 61. Suitability obligation 62. Discretionary trading 63. Executing order, name or code 64. Supervision, compliance and risk management systems 65. Complaints
PART VII CONFLICTS OF INTEREST 66. Related parties of registrants 67. Conflict of interest rules statement 68. Limitations on trading-related parties of registrants 69. Limitations on advising-related parties of registrants 70. Limitations on the exercise of discretion-related party of a registrant 71. Confirmation and reporting of transactions in securities of a related party of a registrant PART VIII DISTRIBUTIONS 72. Advertisements in connection with a distribution 73. Advertisement in connection with certain exempt distributions 74. Risk disclosure statements for asset-backed securities 75. Re-sale restriction statement 76. Submission to jurisdiction for approved foreign issuers 77. Marketing restrictions for prospectus offerings 78. Advice to individual accredited purchasers 79. Post-distribution statements PART IX SIMPLIFIED CLEARING FACILITIES 80. Notice to clearing agency of closing of securities register PART X DEALING BY PERSONS CONNECTED WITH ISSUERS 81. Report by persons connected to a reporting issuer PART XI CONTINGENCY FUND AND SETTLEMENT ASSURANCE FUND 82. Definitions and application 83. Purpose of fund–contingency fund and settlement assurance fund 84. Administration of fund 85. Power of trustees 86. Obligatory rules of governance 87. Accounting for the fund 88. Appointment of auditors 89. Refusal of claims 90. Winding up of fund
PART XII AUDITORS 91. Acceptable auditors 92. Qualifications of auditors 93. Criteria for independence of auditors 94. Limit on time frame of auditor for SRO or registrants 95. Restriction on activities provided by auditors to SRO or registrants 96. Appointment of auditor by the Commission 97. Notifications in respect of auditors 98. Notice on resignation of auditor 99. Notice of removal of Auditor 100. Appointment of replacement auditor PART XIII MISCELLANEOUS 101. Imposition of penalties 102. Securities Industry Bye-Laws revoked SCHEDULE 1–FEES SCHEDULE 2–FIT AND PROPER REQUIREMENTS SCHEDULE 3–NOTIFICATIONS REQUIREMENTS
LEGAL NOTICE NO. 41 REPUBLIC OF TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO THE SECURITIES ACT, 2012 BY-LAWS MADE BY THE MINISTER UNDER SECTION 148 OF THE SECURITIES ACT, 2012 AND SUBJECT TO NEGATIVE RESOLUTION OF PARLIAMENT THE SECURITIES (GENERAL) BY-LAWS, 2015 PART I PRELIMINARY
chief executive officer or other senior officer duly authorised by the board of directors to sign on behalf of the registrant or self-regulatory organization on the approved form; or (ii) for annual audited financial statements, by the signatures of two directors of the registrant or selfregulatory organization duly authorized to signify the certification on the approved form. 4. The fees payable under the Act and these By-laws are those set forth in Schedule 1. 5. The approved forms referred to in the Act and these By-laws are such forms as the Commission may determine. 6. The criteria used to assess whether a person is fit and proper for the purposes of the Act and these By-laws are those set forth in Schedule 2. 7. For the purposes of these By-laws– (a) “accountant” means an individual who is a member in good standing with the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Trinidad and Tobago or such equivalent body in a foreign jurisdiction and meets any other requirements as the Commission may approve; (b) “advising representative” means a person employed by, or acting for, a registrant registered under section 51(1)(a) or (b), who performs the activities of an investment adviser on behalf of that registrant registered under section 51(1)(a) or (b); (c) “associate representative” means a person employed by, or acting for, a registrant registered under section 51(1) who– (i) is supervised by an advising representative, brokering representative, or underwriting representative; and (ii) performs the class of business activities for which such registrant is registered; (d) “brokering representative” means a person employed by, or acting for, a registrant registered under section 51(1)(a), who performs the activities of a broker-dealer on behalf of that registrant registered under section 51(1)(a); (e) “Former By-laws” means the Securities Industry Bye-laws, 1997, repealed by these General By-laws; 906 Securities (General) By-Laws, 2015 Fees Schedule 1 Forms Fit and proper requirements Schedule 2 Prescribed definitions
(f) “regulatory capital” means– (i) cash or cash equivalents held in a financial institution; (ii) money market accounts of a collective investment scheme in Trinidad and Tobago; (iii) the market value of securities of the Government of Trinidad and Tobago; or (iv) assets held in such other form as approved by the Commission, which is free and clear of any encumbrances; and (g) “underwriting representative” means a person employed by, or acting for, a registrant registered under section 51(1)(a) or (c), who performs the activities of an underwriter on behalf of that registrant registered under section 51(1)(a) or (c). 8. (1) For the purposes of section 69(1)(a) of the Act, the prescribed market capitalization is five hundred million dollars and shall be equal to the aggregate market value of the outstanding equity securities of the issuer calculated by multiplying– (a) the total number of equity securities of each class outstanding on the day the issuer became a reporting issuer under the Act; and (b) the closing price of each class of equity securities outstanding on the principal foreign securities exchange upon which such equity securities are traded on the day set forth in paragraph (1)(a), or the immediately preceding day on which trading took place on such foreign securities exchange if the class of equity securities did not trade on the last day of the most recently completed financial year of the foreign issuer. (2) For the purposes of section 80(2)(c) of the Act, the prescribed market capitalization is five hundred million dollars and shall be equal to the aggregate market value of the outstanding equity securities of the issuer calculated by multiplying– (a) the total number of equity securities of each class out standing on the relevant date; and (b) the closing price of each class of equity securities outstanding on the principal foreign securities exchange upon which such equity securities are traded on the relevant date, or the immediately preceding day on which trading took place on such foreign securities exchange if the class of equity securities did not trade on the relevant date. Securities (General) By-Laws, 2015 907 Market capitalization of approved foreign issuers
(iii) a loss of independence or impartiality of such person; or (iv) a loss of public confidence in the integrity of the Commission; (c) divulge or release, in advance or otherwise, confidential, non-public or official information to any person unless authorized under the Act; (d) divulge or release at any time after the termination of his office, appointment or employment with the Commission, or the completion of any matter delegated to him, confidential, non-public or official information to any person unless authorized under the Act; (e) act as an official in a matter in which the person has a material direct or indirect personal interest whether pecuniary or not; (f) be involved, directly or indirectly, in any business or financial affairs which may conflict with his duties or responsibilities; or (g) hold office in, or be a director of a registrant or self-regulatory organization. 12. (1) At the time of taking office or employment with the Commission, a person referred to in by-law 10(1) shall provide a report disclosing his direct and indirect beneficial ownership of, or control or direction over, securities of registrants and self-regulatory organizations– (a) in the case of members of the Commission, to the Minister; and (b) in the case of all other such persons to whom this by-law applies, to the Commission. (2) Each member of the Commission shall report to the Minister, and every other person to whom this by-law applies shall report to the Commission, within five business days from the day on which a change takes place in his direct or indirect beneficial ownership of, or control or direction over, securities of a reporting issuer, disclosing– (a) his direct and indirect beneficial ownership of, or control or direction over, securities of a reporting issuer, at the end of that month; and (b) the change or changes that occurred during that month. Securities (General) By-Laws, 2015 909 Reporting to the Minister or Commission
(3) Where the change in ownership in paragraph (2) relates to an interest in a collective investment scheme, each member of the Commission shall report to the Minister, and every other person to whom this by-law applies shall report to the Commission– (a) every three months where the change is part of a regularly scheduled, recurring pattern; and (b) within five business days from the day on which the change took place for any change other than in paragraph (a). 13. Every person referred to in by-law 10(1) who– (a) has any interest in a security of a reporting issuer, or any personal interest in any issuer or project that is the subject of, or part of the subject of any matter assigned to him as part of, his duties; or (b) had prior employment or other relationship to any person or project which may prejudice or affect his work, independence or impartiality on any assignment, shall, if he is a member of the Commission, advise the Minister, or in any other case, advise the Commission. Division 2–Filings with the Commission 14. (1) Documents expressly required to be filed with the Commission shall be filed by– (a) mailing or delivering such documents to the address of the Commission; or (b) providing to the Commission an electronic version of such documents in a format as may be required by the Commission. (2) A document filed with the Commission under paragraph (1)(a) shall be deemed to be filed on the day which is the earlier of its actual receipt by the Commission and the day which such document is postmarked. (3) A document filed with the Commission under paragraph (1)(b) shall be deemed to be filed on the day on which it is received by the Commission. PART III THE TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO STOCK EXCHANGE AND OTHER SELF-REGULATORY ORGANIZATIONS 15. (1) Application for registration, renewal or reinstatement as a self-regulatory organization under Part III of the Act shall be made on the approved form. 910 Securities (General) By-Laws, 2015 Disclosure of interest Filing of documents with Commission Application for registration as a selfregulatory organization
(2) Every self-regulatory organization shall have a designated person responsible for the discharge of its obligations under the Act who shall be the primary contact with respect to all matters related to the Commission and who shall be a senior officer of the self-regulatory organization. (3) Every self-regulatory organization shall notify the Commission– (a) within three months of the coming into force of these By-laws, of the person designated under paragraph (2); and (b) forthwith, of any change in the designated person. 16. (1) A self-regulatory organization shall prepare and keep– (a) in the case of a self-regulatory organization that is a securities exchange, a record of all orders or transactions in securities effected through the facilities of that securities exchange and the record shall identify the buying and selling broker-dealers, the price, quantity and account numbers of the buyers and sellers of the securities; (b) in the case of a self-regulatory organization that is a securities exchange, a record of all granting, refusal or restrictions on membership, including the reasons for granting, refusing or imposing conditions on the applicant; (c) in the case of a self-regulatory organization that is a clearing agency, records that provide an audit trail of transactions cleared and settled through its facilities including the time the transaction was cleared and settled, the name and quantity of the security and the time of the transaction, identities and where appropriate, the roles of the parties to the transaction; (d) an annual report containing a management discussion and analysis and its annual audited comparative financial statements; (e) an annual audited report on the operations and financial conditions of a contingency fund or a settlement assurance fund maintained by the self-regulatory organization; (f) a record of all disciplinary matters involving members of the self-regulatory organization, detailing the nature of the matter, the names of members involved and the actions taken; and (g) a record of all written complaints made against the self-regulatory organization or a member regardless of whether any disciplinary action was taken, detailing the nature of the complaint, the names of the members involved, and the action taken, if any. Securities (General) By-Laws, 2015 911 Prescribed records for self-regulatory organizations
(2) A self-regulatory organization is required to file with the Commission the reports contained in by-law 16(1)(d) and (e) within one hundred and twenty days of its financial year end. PART IV REGISTRANTS Division 1–General 17. (1) Every reporting issuer and registrant registered under section 51(1) of the Act, shall have a designated person who shall be the primary contact with respect to all matters related to the Commission and, where applicable, shall be a senior officer. (2) Every reporting issuer and registrant registered under section 51(1) of the Act shall notify the Commission of the person designated under paragraph (1) within three months of the coming into force of these By-laws. (3) Where a registrant is an entity constituted in trust form, the trustees or such other persons as may be approved by the Commission shall be responsible for the discharge of its obligations under the Act. Division 2–Registration under section 51 of the Act 18. (1) Every applicant for registration, renewal or reinstatement to conduct the business activities of a broker-dealer shall– (a) be a company incorporated in Trinidad and Tobago or incorporated in any other designated foreign jurisdiction and registered in Trinidad and Tobago as an external company under the Companies Act; (b) have as its primary business an activity for which registration is required under section 51(1)(a) of the Act; (c) not have direct or indirect interests which may conflict with, or be likely to affect the conduct and integrity of its business as a broker-dealer; (d) satisfy the minimum capital requirements applicable to its class of business as set forth in by-law 27(1); (e) have at least two brokering representatives in its employ registered under by-law 21 who each have at least three years securities related work experience; (f) pay the relevant fee; and (g) be fit and proper. 912 Securities (General) By-Laws, 2015 Designated person Application for registration as a brokerdealer Chap. 81:01
(2) A person registered as a broker-dealer is deemed to be registered as an investment adviser. (3) A broker-dealer may perform the activities of an underwriter provided that– (a) the applicant has in its employ at least one underwriting representative registered under by-law 21; (b) the applicant pays the relevant fee; and (c) the applicant meets any other conditions as the Commission may require. (4) An application for registration under paragraph (1) shall be made on the approved form. 19. (1) Every applicant for registration, renewal or reinstatement to conduct the business activities of an investment adviser shall– (a) in the case of an individual– (i) be at least twenty-one years of age; (ii) have a degree or professional qualification in economics, banking, law, accountancy, business administration, chartered secretaryship, finance or such other qualification or training from a university or other educational institution acceptable to the Commission; (iii) have at least three years securities-related work experience; (iv) pay the relevant fee; and (v) be fit and proper; or (b) in the case of a company– (i) be a company incorporated in Trinidad and Tobago or incorporated in any other designated foreign jurisdiction and registered in Trinidad and Tobago as an external company under the Companies Act; (ii) have as its primary business an activity for which registration is required under section 51(1)(b) of the Act; (iii) not have direct or indirect interests which may conflict with or be likely to affect the conduct and integrity of its business as an investment adviser; (iv) have at least two advising representatives in its employ registered under by-law 21 who each have at least three years securities related work experience; Securities (General) By-Laws, 2015 913 Application for registration as investment advisor Chap. 81:01
(v) pay the relevant fee; and (vi) be fit and proper. (2) Subject to paragraph (3), the following persons may perform the business activities of an investment adviser without registration under Part IV of the Act– (a) an insurance company registered under the Insurance Act and any director, officer or employee thereof; (b) a financial institution and any director, officer or employee thereof; (c) an Attorney-at-law or an accountant; (d) a publisher of, or writer for, a newspaper, news magazine, or business or financial publication that is of general and paid circulation, distributed only to subscribers to it for value or to purchasers of it, who– (i) gives advice as an investment adviser either as such publisher or writer only, or as such publisher or writer and as an Attorney-at-law or an accountant; (ii) discloses in the publication any direct or indirect beneficial ownership or other interest which he has in any of the securities in respect of which he gives investment advice; (iii) discloses in the publication that he is not a registered investment adviser with the Commission; and (iv) receives no commission or other consideration, directly or indirectly, from the issuer of the securities, or any affiliate or associate of the issuer of the securities, in respect of which the investment advice was given. (3) The exemption under paragraph (2) is available to a person only if the performance of the services as an investment adviser is solely incidental to his principal business or occupation as stated in that paragraph. (4) An application for registration under paragraph (1)(a) shall be made on the approved form. (5) An application for registration under paragraph (1)(b) shall be made on the approved form. 20. (1) Every applicant for registration, renewal or reinstatement to conduct the business activities of an underwriter shall– (a) be a company incorporated in Trinidad and Tobago or incorporated in any other designated foreign jurisdiction and registered in Trinidad and Tobago as an external company under the Companies Act; 914 Securities (General) By-Laws, 2015 Application for registration as underwriter Chap. 81:01
(b) have as its primary business an activity for which registration is required under section 51(1)(c) of the Act; (c) not have direct or indirect interests which may conflict with, or be likely to affect the conduct and integrity of its business as an underwriter; (d) satisfy the minimum capital requirements set forth in by-law 27(1); (e) have at least two underwriting representatives in its employ registered under by-law 21 who each have at least three years securities-related work experience; (f) pay the relevant fee; and (g) be fit and proper. (2) An underwriter may perform the business activities of an investment adviser without registration so long as the performance of the activities of an investment adviser is solely incidental to its functions as an underwriter. (3) An application for registration under paragraph (1) shall be made on the approved form. 21. (1) Every individual to whom section 51(2) of the Act applies, shall be registered in one or more of the following categories: (a) an advising representative; (b) a brokering representative; (c) an underwriting representative; or (d) an associate representative. (2) A registrant registered under section 51(1) of the Act shall submit a list of all registered representatives employed by, or acting on behalf of the registrant on the approved form and pay the relevant fee upon its application to register, renew or reinstate under section 52(1) of the Act. (3) A registrant shall submit an approved form in respect of an individual who is to engage in any act, action or course of conduct in connection with, or incidental to the class of business for which that registrant is registered and pay the relevant fee where such individual is employed by, or acting on behalf of that registrant subsequent to the submission of the form required under paragraph (2). (4) The functions of a registered representative shall be restricted to the category of registration for which he is registered. Securities (General) By-Laws, 2015 915 Registration of registered representatives
(5) A registrant registered under section 51(1) of the Act shall maintain records evidencing that each registered representative employed by, or acting on behalf of the registrant meets the criteria specified in by-law 22. 22. (1) Every senior officer, agent or employee who is to be registered under by-law 21(1)(a), (b) or (c) shall– (a) complete the approved form; (b) be an individual of at least twenty-one years of age; (c) have a degree or professional qualification in economics, banking, law, accountancy, business administration, chartered secretaryship, finance or such other qualification or training from a university or other educational institution acceptable to the Commission; (d) have a least two years working experience in a field specified in paragraph (c); and (e) be fit and proper. (2) A senior officer, agent or employee applying for registration under by-law 21(1)(d) shall– (a) complete the approved form; (b) be an individual of at least twenty-one years of age; (c) be fit and proper; and (d) be under the direct supervision of a registered advising, brokering or underwriting representative who is authorised to perform the class of activities for which the associate representative is being registered. 23. (1) Every applicant for registration under section 51(5) of the Act shall– (a) be an individual of at least twenty-one years of age; (b) not be registered to conduct the activities under section 51(1) of the Act; (c) not be the senior officer or employee of a registrant registered under section 51(1) of the Act; (d) be registered as an individual in the category of broker-dealer or, investment adviser or any equivalent or similar category, under the securities legislation of a designated foreign jurisdiction, which registration shall be in good standing and not revoked, suspended or cancelled by the competent securities regulatory authority in the designated foreign jurisdiction; 916 Securities (General) By-Laws, 2015 Requirements for registration of registered representatives Application for sponsored broker-dealer or investment adviser
(e) at the time of the application not be the subject of any disciplinary proceedings by any self-regulatory organization or competent securities regulatory authority in any jurisdiction; (f) be a senior officer or employee of a broker-dealer or investment adviser, or any equivalent or similar entity, registered under the securities legislation of a designated foreign jurisdiction, which registration shall be in good standing and not revoked, suspended or cancelled by the competent securities regulatory authority in the designated foreign jurisdiction; and (g) be fit and proper. (2) An application for registration under paragraph (1) shall be made on the approved form and accompanied by– (a) a letter from a broker-dealer or investment adviser registered under section 51(1) of the Act wherein the broker-dealer or, investment adviser agrees to sponsor the applicant for registration under section 51(5) of the Act; (b) evidence of due registration in good standing in a designated foreign jurisdiction required under paragraph (1)(d) and (f); and (c) the relevant fee. (3) The broker-dealer or investment adviser, identified in paragraph (2)(a), shall be responsible for the discharge of the obligations of the sponsored broker-dealer or investment adviser whom it agrees to sponsor pursuant to paragraph (2)(a) as an applicant under section 51(5) of the Act and these By-laws in respect of the activities which the applicant conducts in the securities market in Trinidad and Tobago. (4) A person registered under section 51(5) of the Act shall not engage in the business and activities of a broker-dealer or investment adviser in Trinidad and Tobago for more than ninety days in any one calendar year. Division 3–Registration under section 54 of the Act 24. (1) An application for approval under section 54 of the Act shall be made on the approved form. (2) In determining whether an applicant should be approved to become a substantial shareholder under section 54 of the Act, the Commission shall take into account– (a) if an individual, whether he– (i) is at least twenty-one years of age; and (ii) is fit and proper; or (b) if an entity, whether it is fit and proper. Securities (General) By-Laws, 2015 917 Approval of substantial shareholders
Division 4–Registration and Distribution Statements under sections 61 and 62 25. (1) A registration statement under section 61(1) or a revised registration statement under section 61(2) of the Act shall be in the approved form and shall be accompanied by such documents as the Commission may require and the relevant fee. (2) The notification of a limited offering pursuant to sections 61(4)(a)(i) and 62(9)(a)(i) of the Act shall be on the approved form. 26. A distribution statement required under section 62(2) of the Act shall be in the approved form and shall be accompanied by such documents as the Commission may require and the relevant fee. PART V OBLIGATIONS OF REGISTRANTS AND SELF-REGULATORY ORGANIZATIONS Division 1–Registrants under section 51(1) of the Act and self-regulatory organizations 27. (1) A registrant registered under section 51(1) of the Act shall maintain at all times capital levels as follows: (a) in the case of a broker-dealer– (i) that only conducts the business of effecting transactions in securities for the account of others, minimum capital of two million dollars, of which at least one million dollars shall be regulatory capital; or (ii) that conducts the business of effecting transactions in securities for the account of others or buying and selling securities for his own account and who holds himself out as willing to buy and sell securities at prices specified by him, minimum capital of five million dollars, of which at least two million dollars shall be regulatory capital; (b) in the case of a broker-dealer that also conducts the activities of an underwriter, minimum capital of six million dollars, of which at least three million shall be regulatory capital; (c) in the case of an underwriter, minimum capital of five million dollars, of which at least two million dollars shall be regulatory capital; or (d) in the case of an investment adviser, minimum capital of fifty thousand dollars, all of which shall be regulatory capital. 918 Securities (General) By-Laws, 2015 Registration statement Distribution statement Capital requirements and notification
(2) The capital levels set forth in paragraph (1) are the prescribed levels of capitalization for the purpose of section 57(1)(f) of the Act. (3) The capital levels that shall be applied to registrants specified in this by-law may be determined by the Commission in accordance with international standards and modified from time to time by order of the Commission. 28. (1) A registrant registered under section 51(1) of the Act shall file with the Commission within thirty business days following the end of each quarterly period in the financial year of such registrant– (a) a statement– (i) setting forth the capital levels of the registrant as at the last day of the end of such quarterly period; and (ii) setting forth the calculation utilized to determine the capital levels disclosed in paragraph (1)(a)(i); (b) a certificate of a senior officer of the registrant confirming the accuracy of the statement required by paragraph (1)(a); (c) a statement of any additions or withdrawals of equity capital within the quarterly period. 29. (1) A registrant or self-regulatory organization shall, where applicable, maintain records in a manner that permits it to be provided promptly to the Commission and such records shall– (a) clearly record all of its business transactions and financial affairs that are conducted in Trinidad and Tobago; (b) permit the timely creation and audit of financial statements and other financial information required to be filed or delivered to the Commission; (c) permit the determination of the registrant’s capital position; (d) demonstrate compliance with the registrant’s capital and insurance requirements; (e) demonstrate compliance with the registrant’s policies and procedures, including internal control procedures; (f) permit the identification and segregation of client assets, cash, securities and other property; (g) identify all transactions conducted on behalf of the registrant and each of its clients, including the parties to the transaction and the terms of purchase or sale; (h) provide an audit trail for– (i) client instructions and orders; and (ii) each trade transmitted or executed for the account of a client or the registrant; Securities (General) By-Laws, 2015 919 Quarterly calculation of capital requirements Record keeping by registrants
(i) permit the creation of account activity reports for clients; (j) demonstrate compliance with client account opening requirements; (k) document correspondence and other communication with clients; (l) document complaints and disciplinary matters; (m) document compliance and supervisory actions taken by the registrant; and (n) demonstrate compliance with the registrant’s obligations under the Act and these By-laws. (2) The books and records required to be kept in accordance with the Act and these By-laws shall be kept in English– (a) in Trinidad and Tobago; or (b) where the registrant is domiciled in a jurisdiction outside of Trinidad and Tobago, such books and records may be kept in a designated foreign jurisdiction, subject to the approval of the Commission and on such terms and conditions as the Commission may require. 30. A registrant or self-regulatory organization may only record or store information using mechanical, electronic or other devices if– (a) the method used is not prohibited by law; (b) the registrant or self-regulatory organization takes adequate precautions, appropriate to the methods used, to guard against falsification of, or tampering with, the information recorded or stored; and (c) the registrant or self-regulatory organization provides a means for making the information available in an accurate and easily understood form within a reasonable time to any person lawfully entitled to examine the information. 31. A registrant registered under section 51(1) of the Act as a broker-dealer or underwriter shall keep records of original entry which shall contain an itemized daily record of– (a) all purchases and sales of securities; (b) all receipts and deliveries of securities including certificate numbers; (c) all receipts and disbursements of cash; (d) all other debits and credits; (e) the account for which each transaction was effected; (f) the name of the securities to which each transaction recorded applies, their class or designation, and their number or value; 920 Securities (General) By-Laws, 2015 Adequate precautions and access Records of original entry
(g) the unit purchase or sale price, if any; (h) the aggregate purchase or sale price, if any; (i) the trade date and the name or other designation of the person from whom the securities were purchased or received, or to whom they were sold or delivered; (j) whether or not the registrant acted as principal or agent in respect of each transaction it effected; and (k) the name of the market in which a trade took place. 32. A registrant registered under section 51(1) of the Act as a brokerdealer shall keep ledgers or other records which shall reflect– (a) in detail, the assets, liability and capital accounts and the income and expenditure accounts; (b) securities in transfer; (c) dividends and interest received; (d) securities borrowed and securities loaned; (e) money borrowed and money loaned, together with a record of related collateral and substitutions in the collateral; and (f) securities that the registrant should have, but has not received, or has failed to deliver. 33. Ledger accounts of a registrant required to be kept by By-law 32 shall be itemized separately showing– (a) each cash and margin account of each client; (b) all purchases, sales, receipts and deliveries of securities and commodities for the account; and (c) all other debits and credits to the account. 34. A registrant registered under section 51(1) of the Act as a brokerdealer shall keep a securities record which shall show separately for each security, as at the trade date or settlement date– (a) all long or short positions, including securities in safekeeping, carried for the account of the registrant, or for the account of clients; (b) the location of all securities long, and the position offsetting securities short; and (c) in all cases, the name or designation of the account in which each position is carried. 35. A registrant registered under section 51(1) of the Act as a brokerdealer shall keep a record of each order and any other instructions given or received, for the purchase or sale of securities, whether executed or not, and shall show with respect to each order and instruction– (a) its terms and conditions; (b) any modification or cancellation of it; Securities (General) By-Laws, 2015 921 Ledgers Ledger account Securities record Order and instructions
(c) the account to which it relates; (d) where it is placed by an individual, other than– (i) the person in whose name the account is operated; or (ii) the individual who is duly authorized to place orders or instructions on behalf of a client that is a company, the name or designation of the individual placing it; (e) its time of entry and, where applicable, a statement that it is entered under the exercise of a discretionary power of the registrant or an employee of the registrant; (f) the price at which it was executed; and (g) the time of its execution or cancellation. 36. A registrant registered under section 51(1) of the Act as a brokerdealer shall keep a record of confirmations and notices which shall consist of– (a) a copy of every confirmation for each purchase and sale of securities required by section 109 of the Act; and (b) a copy of every notice of all other debits and credits of securities, cash and other items for the accounts of clients. 37. A registrant registered under section 51(1) of the Act as a brokerdealer shall keep a record of cash and margin accounts which shall show, with respect to each cash account and margin account for each client– (a) the name and address of the beneficial owner of the account and of the guarantor, if any; (b) where the trading instructions are accepted from a person other than the client, written authorization or ratification from the client naming that person; and (c) in the case of a margin account, an executed margin agreement containing the signature of the beneficial owner and the guarantor, if any, and any additional information required under By-law 54, but in the case of a joint account or an account of a company, the record is required only in respect of the person duly authorized to transact business for the account. 38. A registrant registered under section 51(1) of the Act as a brokerdealer shall keep an options record which shall show– (a) all puts, calls, spreads, straddles and other options– (i) in which the registrant has any direct or indirect interest; or (ii) granted or guaranteed by the registrant; and (b) the identification of the securities to which the put, call, spread, straddle or other option relates. 922 Securities (General) By-Laws, 2015 Confirmation and notice Cash and margin account Option records
(3) An interim financial statement need not be filed under paragraph (1) for any period that is less than six months. (4) An interim financial statement filed under paragraph (1) need not include an auditor’s report, but if an auditor has been associated with that statement, his audit report or his comments on the unaudited financial information shall accompany the statement. 41. A registrant registered under section 51(1) of the Act shall– (a) when requested by a client– (i) forthwith provide the client with a copy of the most recently prepared audited financial statements of the registrant, as filed with the Commission or selfregulatory organization of which the registrant is a member; and (ii) a list of the names of the senior officers of the registrant, prepared and certified as of a date not more than thirty days after the request; and (b) inform its clients on every statement of account or by other means approved by the Commission that the audited financial statements referred to in paragraph (a) are available on request. 42. A registrant registered under section 51(1) of the Act shall ensure that its employees, senior officers and other agents have such education and training as are reasonably necessary to ensure that its business as a registrant is conducted ethically and in accordance with industry practice. 43. (1) A registrant registered under section 51(1) of the Act shall develop written policies that maintain standards ensuring fairness in the allocation of investment opportunities among its clients. (2) A registrant registered under section 51(1) of the Act shall submit a copy of its policies developed pursuant to paragraph (1) to the Commission upon request by the Commission. (3) A registrant registered under section 51(1) of the Act shall provide a copy of its policies referred to in paragraph (1) to each client at the time he becomes a client of the registrant. 44. (1) Where a client has a debit or credit balance with a registrant registered under section 51(1) of the Act as a broker-dealer, or a registrant registered under section 51(1) of the Act as a broker-dealer is holding securities of a client, the registrant shall send a statement of account to that client at the end of each month in which the client effects a transaction. 924 Securities (General) By-Laws, 2015 Financial statements to customer by registrants Education and training Standards of investment for filing Statements of accounts
(2) Where a registrant registered under section 51(1) of the Act as a broker-dealer is holding funds or securities of a client on a continuing basis, the registrant shall forward, not less than once in every three months, a statement of account to the client showing– (a) in the case of funds, any debit or credit balance; and (b) in the case of securities, the details of any securities held. (3) A statement of account sent under paragraph (1) or (2) shall indicate clearly which securities are held for safekeeping. 45. A registrant registered under section 51(1) of the Act as a brokerdealer shall obtain a written acknowledgment from each client that any securities beneficially owned by the client may be kept by means of record entries with a clearing agency. 46. (1) A registrant registered under section 51(1) of the Act shall apply in accordance with section 56(6) of the Act for the registration of a new branch office, where it proposes to conduct the categories of business for which it is registered at that branch office and the application shall be accompanied by such documents as the Commission may require and the relevant fee. (2) The Commission may approve a branch office in Trinidad and Tobago, on such terms and conditions as it considers appropriate. Division 2–Registrants under section 61 of the Act 47. For the purpose of section 63(a) of the Act, an annual report of a reporting issuer shall– (a) contain the annual comparative financial statements; (b) contain a management discussion and analysis and such other information as the Commission may require; and (c) be filed with the Commission annually within one hundred and twenty days of the financial year end of the reporting issuer. 48. (1) For the purposes of section 65(1) of the Act, the annual comparative financial statements of a reporting issuer shall be audited and shall be filed with the Commission annually within ninety days of the financial year end of the reporting issuer. (2) In addition to the requirements set forth in by-law 3, the annual comparative financial statements of a reporting issuer that is a collective investment scheme shall include a statement of changes in net assets attributable to holders of redeemable shares. Securities (General) By-Laws, 2015 925 Acknowledgement of record entry transfers in contract Branch offices Filing of annual report Annual comparitive financial statements
(3) In addition to the requirements set forth in by-law 3, the interim financial statements of a reporting issuer that is a collective investment scheme shall include a statement of changes in net assets attributable to holders of redeemable shares for the periods specified in section 66(1) of the Act. (4) Notwithstanding paragraphs (2) and (3) the content of the financial statements for a reporting issuer that is a collective investment scheme may be varied or amended in such manner as may be determined by the Commission from time to time. 49. The annual and interim comparative financial statements of a reporting issuer that is a collective investment scheme shall be certified, if the reporting issuer is organized or constituted– (a) as a company, by the directors of the reporting issuer, and the approval shall be evidenced by the signatures of two directors duly authorized to signify the approval; (b) as a trust, by the trustees of the reporting issuer, and the approval shall be evidenced by the signatures of two trustees duly authorized to signify the approval; and (c) other than as a company or a trust, by any two persons authorized to sign on behalf of the reporting issuer, and the approval shall be evidenced by the signatures of two such persons duly authorized to signify the approval. 50. (1) The management discussion and analysis of a reporting issuer shall include a discussion of the following items for the financial year of the reporting issuer for which the management discussion and analysis is being prepared, and a comparative discussion for the financial year immediately preceding such financial year: (a) the overall performance of the reporting issuer including– (i) its year-end financial condition, its results of operations, and cash flows; (ii) general industry and economic factors affecting the reporting issuer; and (iii) changes in the business during the financial year and how those changes have impacted financial condition and performance; (b) the results of operations for the reporting issuer, including, where applicable– (i) net sales or revenues for the financial year, including the impact of new goods or services and factors affecting changes in sales; (ii) cost of sales; 926 Securities (General) By-Laws, 2015 Certificate of annual and interim comparitive financial statements for collective investment schemes Management discussion and analysis
(iii) expenditures in the financial year including research and development, administration and marketing costs, and other material expenses; (iv) trends, commitments, events, risks or other factors that the reporting issuer believes may materially affect the future results of operations of the reporting issuer; and (v) unusual or infrequent factors or transactions which affected results of operations for the financial year; (c) the liquidity position of the reporting issuer, including– (i) the cash and cash equivalents of the reporting issuer in both the short and long term, and the sufficiency of such cash and cash equivalents to meet planned goals and objectives; (ii) working capital requirements; (iii) working capital deficiencies, and the reporting issuer’s plans to deal with such deficiencies; (iv) the impact of balance sheet items or cash flows on the liquidity or working capital position of the reporting issuer; and (v) defaults on any debt obligations and the effect of such defaults on the reporting issuer; (d) the capital resources of the reporting issuer including– (i) the amount, nature and purpose of capital expenditures required; (ii) the sources of funds to meet capital requirements; and (iii) sources of financing for the reporting issuer, including sources that have been arranged but not yet used; (e) material transactions between the reporting issuer and its affiliate, including– (i) identification of the affiliate of the reporting issuer; (ii) determination of the transaction price; and (iii) the on-going relationship between the reporting issuer and the affiliate of the reporting issuer; and (f) accounting policies of the reporting issuer, including– (i) all changes in accounting policies during the financial year, the reason for such change, and the policy currently adopted by the reporting issuer; and (ii) accounting policies which are critical to the reporting issuer in that they required judgments, estimates or uncertainties where the use of different judgments, estimates or uncertainties may result in materially different amounts reported in the financial statements of the reporting issuer. Securities (General) By-Laws, 2015 927
(2) Notwithstanding paragraph (1), a management discussion and analysis of a reporting issuer may discuss such other matters which the reporting issuer reasonably believes are necessary for a full, true and complete understanding of the financial results, financial position and future prospects of the reporting issuer. (3) Notwithstanding paragraph (1), a reporting issuer is not required to make disclosure of any matter in a management discussion and analysis which is not material to the reporting issuer, or which is inapplicable given the business and operations of the reporting issuer. (4) A management discussion and analysis shall be prepared in plain language and in a format that is easy to read and understand. 51. For the purposes of sections 65(1) and 66(1) of the Act in respect of a reporting issuer that is an approved foreign issuer, any body of accounting principles that would be permitted to be used by the approved foreign issuer under the securities laws of a designated foreign jurisdiction in which the approved foreign issuer is subject to foreign disclosure requirements, shall be considered financial reporting standards for the purposes of the Act and these By-laws. 52. (1) Every reporting issuer shall file with the Commission in the manner specified in by-law 14– (a) a copy of all material sent by the reporting issuer to its security holders pursuant to the Act and these By-laws; and (b) all elective information not already filed with the Commission, whether in the same or a different form. (2) For the purpose of paragraph (1)(b), “elective information” means information that is filed with, or delivered to– (a) a government of another jurisdiction; (b) a financial regulator of another jurisdiction; or (c) a securities exchange of another jurisdiction, on the basis that it is material to investors but does not include information that is specifically required to be filed or delivered in the other jurisdiction in accordance with the applicable law or, the rules or regulations of the securities exchange. (3) Any document or information required to be filed with the Commission as a result of paragraph (1) shall be filed with the Commission forthwith after the reporting issuer sends the information referred to in paragraph (1)(a) to its security holders. 928 Securities (General) By-Laws, 2015 Acceptable accounting principles Filing of material sent to security holders or filed abroad
(4) Information that is filed with the Commission pursuant to paragraph (1)(b) and that has been filed on a confidential basis in all other jurisdictions in which it is filed, shall be kept confidential so long as it remains confidential in all those other jurisdictions. Division 3–Notification Requirements for Registrants 53. (1) For the purposes of section 56(4) of the Act, the prescribed events are those set forth in Schedule 3. (2) For registrants registered under section 51(1) of the Act, the prescribed time for notifications to be sent to the Commission in accordance with section 56(4) of the Act shall be seven days from the date of the occurrence of the prescribed event. (3) For registrants registered under section 61(1) of the Act, the prescribed time for notifications to be sent to the Commission in accordance with section 56(4) of the Act shall be fourteen days from the date of the occurrence of the prescribed event, unless the Commission specifies otherwise. (4) Notwithstanding paragraph (3), the prescribed time for the notification to be sent to the Commission with respect to paragraph (e) of List B of Schedule 3 of these By-laws shall be quarterly within five business days of the end of the quarter. PART VI MARKET CONDUCT AND REGULATION 54. The confirmation of a trade required by section 109 of the Act shall contain the following information: (a) the price at and the consideration for which the sale or purchase was effected; (b) the commission charged in connection therewith and any other charges incurred; and (c) the date on which the purchase or sale took place. 55. Payments made into client accounts for the purposes of section 107(1)(a) and (b) of the Act, shall be made within three business days of the transaction. 56. For the purposes of section 86 of the Act, the report, on the approved form, shall be filed with the Commission within ten business days following the end of each quarterly period in the financial year of the registrant. Securities (General) By-Laws, 2015 929 Notification of changes Trading confirmations Client accounts Trades conducted other than through a securities exchange
(3) The registrant registered under section 51(1) of the Act must make reasonable efforts to keep the information required under this by-law up to date. 61. (1) By-law 60(1) does not apply to a registrant registered under section 51(1) as a broker-dealer in respect of a trade executed by him on the instructions of another registrant or a financial institution. (2) Pursuant to section 98(1)(a) of the Act, if a client instructs a registrant registered under section 51(1) or (5) of the Act to buy, sell or hold a security and the registrant, acting reasonably, is of the opinion that carrying out the instruction would not be suitable for the client, the registrant shall inform the client of the registrant’s opinion and shall not buy or sell the security unless the client instructs the registrant to proceed nonetheless. 62. (1) A registrant registered under section 51(1) of the Act as a broker-dealer shall not execute any trade for a client unless the registrant has the client’s prior authorization for the transaction. (2) A registrant registered under section 51(1) of the Act as a broker-dealer, may only execute investment discretion over a client’s account if– (a) it has entered into a written agreement with the client granting such authority; and (b) the agreement has been signed and approved by a senior officer of the registrant prior to the first transaction for the client. 63. Where a registrant registered under section 51(1) of the Act as a broker-dealer opens and trades on an account on behalf of a client and executes the orders of a client in its own name or identifies the client by means of a code or symbol, a registrant who transacts business with another registrant concerning those orders shall establish the credit worthiness of the other registrant but need not otherwise determine the suitability of a trade for the client of the other registrant. 64. (1) A registrant shall establish, maintain and apply a system of controls and supervision sufficient to– (a) provide reasonable assurance that the entity and each individual acting on its behalf complies with– (i) the Act, By-laws or any other By-laws; and (ii) any other law dealing with anti-money laundering or combating the financing of terrorism; and (b) manage the risks associated with its business in conformity with prudent business practices. Securities (General) By-Laws, 2015 931 Suitability obligation Discretionary trading Executing order, name or code Supervision, compliance and risk management systems
(2) The system of controls referred to in paragraph (1) shall be documented in the form of written policies and procedures. 65. A registrant shall establish effective complaints handling systems and procedures to ensure that– (a) adequate records of complaints, including a central register, are established and maintained; (b) all complaints are responded to within a reasonable timeframe; (c) all written complaints are responded to in writing; and (d) reasonable efforts are undertaken to ensure that each complaint is effectively and fairly resolved. PART VII CONFLICTS OF INTEREST 66. (1) For the purposes of by-laws 67 to 71– “related party of a registrant” means, in respect of a registrant registered under section 51(1) of the Act– (a) any person who– (i) beneficially owns, or exercises control or direction over, securities, which constitute in the aggregate more than thirty per cent of the outstanding securities of any class or series of voting securities of the registrant; or (ii) would, upon the conversion or exchange of any security or the exercise of any right to convert or exchange securities into voting securities or to acquire voting securities or securities convertible or exchangeable into voting securities, beneficially own or exercise control or direction over, securities, which constitute in the aggregate more than thirty per cent of the outstanding securities of any class or series of voting securities of the registrant; or (b) any entity in which– (i) the registrant beneficially owns, or exercises control or direction over, outstanding securities which constitute in the aggregate more than thirty per cent of the outstanding securities of any class or series of voting securities of the person; or (ii) the registrant, upon the conversion or exchange of any security or the exercise of any right to convert or exchange securities into voting securities or to acquire voting securities or securities convertible or 932 Securities (General) By-Laws, 2015 Complaints Related parties of registrants
exchangeable into voting securities, would beneficially own or exercise control or direction over, securities, which constitute in the aggregate more than thirty per cent of the outstanding securities of any class or series of voting securities of the person. (2) Notwithstanding paragraph (1), a person is not a related party of a registrant solely because the registrant, acting as an underwriter and in the ordinary course of its business, owns securities issued by the person in the course of a distribution. 67. (1) Every registrant registered under section 51(1) of the Act shall prepare and file annually with the Commission a conflict of interest rules statement in the approved form at the time it files its audited financial statements with the Commission. (2) A registrant registered under section 51(1) of the Act shall provide free of charge a copy of its current conflict of interest rules statement to each of its clients at the time he becomes a client of the registrant. (3) In the event of any material change in the information required to be contained in the conflict of interest rules statement, the registrant shall– (a) forthwith prepare and file with the Commission a revised conflict of interest rules statement containing the information required by paragraph (1); and (b) within thirty days of the filing of the revised conflict of interest rules statement with the Commission, provide to each of its clients a copy thereof. 68. (1) No registrant registered under section 51(1) of the Act shall, as principal or agent, trade in or purchase a security from, or on behalf of, any client, where the security is issued by the registrant or a related party of the registrant. (2) A registrant is not subject to the prohibition in paragraph (1) if– (a) the registrant has, before entering into an agreement of purchase and sale respecting the security, delivered its current conflict of interest rules statement to the client, and all changes in such information required by by-law 67(3) to be included in the conflict of interest rules statement; or (b) the client is purchasing as principal and is either a registrant or a related party of the registrant. Securities (General) By-Laws, 2015 933 Conflict of interest rules statement Limitations on trading-related parties of registrants
(3) Paragraph (1) does not apply if the client is a registrant under section 51(1) of the Act or a related party of the registrant. (4) No registrant under section 51(1) of the Act shall make a loan from any account or portfolio of a client over which it has discretionary authority. 71. (1) The written confirmation of a transaction required by by-law 36 shall in the case of a security issued by the registrant or a related party of the registrant, state that the security was issued by the registrant or a related party of the registrant. (2) Any report, other than the written confirmation required by by-law 36, sent or delivered by a registrant to a client respecting any trade or purchase of a security made by the registrant with, from, or on behalf of the client, including a trade or purchase of a security for an account or portfolio of the client over which the registrant has discretionary authority, shall in the case of a security issued by the registrant or a related party of the registrant, state that the security was issued by the registrant or a related party. PART VIII DISTRIBUTIONS 72. For the purposes of section 74 of the Act, an advertisement used in connection with a distribution, in addition to the requirements of the Act– (a) shall contain the following statement: “The Trinidad and Tobago Securities and Exchange Commission has not in any way evaluated the merits of the securities offered hereunder and any representation to the contrary is an offence.”; and (b) shall not contain any fact not disclosed in a prospectus for which a receipt has been issued by the Commission. 73. For the purposes of the exemptions provided for in section 79(1)(l)(i) of the Act an advertisement announcing the completion of an exempt distribution shall contain– (a) the name of the issuer to which the distribution relates; (b) the names of all registrants registered under section 51(1) of the Act which have participated in the distribution; and (c) a statement that the distribution has been completed and that the advertisement is appearing as a matter of public record only. Securities (General) By-Laws, 2015 935 Confirmation and reporting of transactions in securities of a related party of a registrant Advertisements in connection with a distribution Advertisement in connection with certain exempt distributions
PART IX SIMPLIFIED CLEARING FACILITIES 80. For the purposes of section 130(1) of the Act, an issuer shall give the clearing agency no less than seven days’ notice of its intention to close its securities register or fix a record date. PART X DEALINGS BY PERSONS CONNECTED WITH ISSUERS 81. The report required to be filed with the Commission under section 136(1), (2), or (3) of the Act shall be in the approved form. PART XI CONTINGENCY FUND AND SETTLEMENT ASSURANCE FUND 82. (1) In this Part– “claimant” means a person who makes a claim against a contingency fund or settlement assurance fund except that the following shall not be regarded as claimants: (a) a member of a self-regulatory organization; (b) the holder of thirty per cent or more of the issued capital of the defaulting member of the selfregulatory organization; and (c) a broker-dealer; “contingency fund” means a contingency fund required to be maintained pursuant to section 47(1) of the Act; “settlement assurance fund” means a settlement assurance fund required to be maintained pursuant to section 47(2) of the Act; “member”, in relation to a self-regulatory organization means a company duly licensed as a member company of a self-regulatory organization that is a securities exchange. (2) This Part applies only to a contingency fund or settlement assurance fund. (3) A member shall participate in and contribute to a contingency fund and settlement assurance fund prescribed in this Part. 83. (1) A contingency fund shall be used solely for the purpose of providing compensation to clients of a member who suffer a financial loss as a result of the insolvency, bankruptcy or default of a member up to the maximum established in the obligatory rules of governance of the contingency fund. Securities (General) By-Laws, 2015 937 Notice to clearing agency of closing of securities register Report by persons connected to a reporting issuer Definitions and application Purpose of fundscontingency fund and settlement assurance fund
(2) A settlement assurance fund shall be used solely to address the failure of a member to deliver securities or monies required by the rules of governance of clearing agency up to the maximum established in the obligatory rules of governance of the settlement assurance fund. 84. (1) A contingency fund or settlement assurance fund shall be vested in and managed by a board of trustees appointed by the board of directors of the self-regulatory organization. (2) The board of trustees of a contingency fund or settlement assurance fund shall comprise at least three individuals with a quorum being the majority. (3) Members of the board of trustees shall serve for a term of three years and are eligible for re-appointment. (4) The appointment or removal of a member of the board of trustees shall be at the discretion of the board of directors of a selfregulatory organization. (5) All administrative costs including the remuneration of the board of trustees if applicable may be paid from the resources of the fund. (6) Any remuneration paid to the board of trustees shall be approved by the board of directors of the self-regulatory organization. 85. (1) The board of trustees of a contingency fund or settlement assurance fund may establish a trust account. (2) The board of trustees of a contingency fund or settlement assurance fund may incorporate income realized through investments as part of the contingency fund or settlement assurance fund. (3) A contingency fund or settlement assurance fund may be retained partly or wholly in the form of cash or may be invested or reinvested in such interest bearing securities as the board of trustees may from time to time deem appropriate. (4) The board of trustees may pledge any or all of the securities in a contingency fund or settlement assurance fund to secure the payment of any borrowing effected by the board of trustees, the proceeds of which shall be used to settle claims against a contingency fund or settlement assurance fund. (5) The board of trustees may examine all claims made against a contingency fund or settlement assurance fund for authenticity and shall accept all legitimate claims made against a contingency fund or settlement assurance fund. 938 Securities (General) By-Laws, 2015 Administration of fund Power of trustees
(6) The board of trustees may make proposals to the board of the self-regulatory organization in respect of the operation of a contingency fund or settlement assurance fund. (7) The board of trustees shall require all clients or members to do or concur in doing or permitting to be done in respect of a contingency fund or settlement assurance fund, at the expense of a contingency fund or settlement assurance fund all such acts and things as may be necessary or reasonably required for the purpose of– (a) enforcing rights and remedies; or (b) obtaining relief or indemnity from other parties to which a contingency fund or settlement assurance fund shall be, or would become entitled or subrogated upon its paying for, or making good, any loss suffered by the client as a result of the default of a member of the self-regulatory organization. (8) The acceptance by a claimant of compensation from the board of trustees shall constitute consent by the claimant to be a party either solely or jointly with the board of trustees who may, where they consider it expedient to do so, join as parties with the claimant in respect of an action against a member for indemnity or damages. (9) Where the board of trustees join as parties in an action against a member, the board of trustees may determine the conduct and settlement of proceedings relating to such action and the claimant shall provide the board of trustees with the relevant information to determine whether or not to proceed with the action. (10) The board of trustees shall approve all administrative expenses of a contingency fund or settlement assurance fund. 86. (1) A self-regulatory organization shall establish rules of governance for a contingency fund or a settlement assurance fund which comply with the Act and paragraph (2). (2) For the purposes of section 39(1)(g) of the Act, the rules of governance for a contingency fund or a settlement assurance fund shall contain provisions relating to– (a) the scope of the fund including– (i) the contributions to be made by the members into a fund; (ii) the criteria under which a claim may be considered and the form in which compensation may be paid; and (iii) any limitation in respect of claims to be made against the fund inclusive of the maximum payment permissible per claimant, where applicable; Securities (General) By-Laws, 2015 939 Obligatory rules of governance
(b) disciplinary action to be taken against a member who is in breach of the rules of the fund; and (c) general operating procedures including the procedure for the making and settlement of a claim including the timeframe in which a claim may be eligible. (3) For the purposes of assessing claims made against a contingency fund or settlement assurance fund, the board of trustees– (a) shall exercise their best efforts to obtain a statement of facts in relation to a claim made; (b) may obtain information from such other sources as may be considered relevant in the evaluation of claims; and (c) shall make every effort to settle claims within the limit set by the self-regulatory organisation. (4) For the avoidance of doubt, in no case is there any legal right to compensation or any duty on the part of the board of trustees to award compensation with respect to any claim or a payment from a contingency fund or settlement assurance fund as an ex gratia payment. (5) Subject to section 49 of the Act, no member of a selfregulatory organization shall take any proceedings in any court with respect to anything done or omitted to be done by the board of trustees in the exercise of their absolute discretion in the administration of a contingency fund or settlement assurance fund, or the application of its assets unless that member refers the decision of the board of trustees to the self-regulatory organization and the self-regulatory organization gives its decision thereon. 87. (1) The board of trustees of a contingency fund or a settlement assurance fund shall maintain appropriate accounting records for the fund and submit annual financial statements to the self-regulatory organization. (2) The financial year end of a contingency fund or a settlement assurance fund shall be 31st December of every calendar year or such other date as the self-regulatory organisation may determine subject to written notification being given to the Commission. 88. (1) The board of directors of a self-regulatory organization shall appoint an auditor to audit the financial statements of a contingency fund or settlement assurance fund. (2) An auditor appointed under paragraph (1) shall provide an opinion on the accounts of the contingency fund or settlement assurance fund which shall be available for inspection by members of the selfregulatory organization. 940 Securities (General) By-Laws, 2015 Accounting for the fund Appointment of auditors
(c) is indebted to the registrant or self-regulatory organization or any of its affiliates other than by virtue of a fully collateralized loan; or (d) has within two years immediately preceding the appointment of the auditor, been a receiver, receiver-manager, liquidator or trustee in bankruptcy of any affiliate of the registrant or self-regulatory organization other than a subsidiary or affiliate acquired through a realization of security. (2) For the purposes of paragraph (1)(a), a person is a connected party of a registrant or self-regulatory organization if the person– (a) is a senior officer of the registrant or self-regulatory organization; or (b) is a senior officer of– (i) an affiliate of the registrant or self-regulatory organization; or (ii) an entity that beneficially owns, directly or indirectly, or exercises control or direction over voting securities of the registrant or self-regulatory organization, carrying an aggregate of ten per cent or more of the votes attached to all outstanding voting securities of the registrant or self-regulatory organization. 94. A member of an auditor shall not have primary responsibility for the audit of a registrant or self-regulatory organization for a period of more than five consecutive years. 95. The auditor of a registrant or self-regulatory organization shall not provide to that registrant or self-regulatory organization– (a) book-keeping or other services related to its accounting records or financial statements; (b) financial information systems design and implementation services; (c) actuarial services; (d) internal audit outsourcing services; or (e) such other non-audit related services as the Commission may specify. 96. Where the Commission is not satisfied with the audited annual financial statements or report of the auditor appointed by a registrant or self-regulatory organization, the Commission may appoint another auditor to conduct an independent audit and shall fix the remuneration to be paid to the auditor by the registrant or self-regulatory organization. 942 Securities (General) By-Laws, 2015 Limit on time frame of auditor for SRO or registrants Restriction on activities provided by auditors to SRO or registrants Appointment of auditor by the Commission
944 Securities (General) By-Laws, 2015 SCHEDULE 1 FEES
Securities (General) By-Laws, 2015 945 SCHEDULE 1–FEES–Continued
946 Securities (General) By-Laws, 2015 SCHEDULE 2 FIT AND PROPER REQUIREMENTS
Securities (General) By-Laws, 2015 947 (vi) whether the person was a senior officer of an entity company which was– (A) disqualified by any professional or regulatory body in relation to any trade, business or profession while he was a senior officer of that entity; and (B) the subject of an investigation conducted by a regulatory or criminal investigative body while he was a senior officer of that entity; (c) any information in the possession of the Commission, whether provided by the person or not, relating to– (i) the person; (ii) any person who is, or is to be employed by, or associated with the person for the purposes of the regulated activity for which registration and approval is granted or the application is made; (iii) any other person who will be acting for or on behalf of the person in relation to the related activity; (iv) where the person is an entity which is part of a group of entities– (A) any other entity in the same group; or (B) any substantial shareholder or senior officer of any other entity in the group of entities; and (v) the financial integrity of the person including but not limited to– (A) whether the person has a receivership or bankruptcy order made against the person and whether such order remains undischarged; and (B) whether the person has been charged at the time of the application, or been convicted at any time, of an offence involving fraud or dishonesty; (d) where the consideration relates to an application for registration under section 51(1) or as a self-regulatory organization, or to a current registrant of the Commission, excluding a reporting issuer, whether the person has established effective internal control procedures and risk management systems to ensure compliance with all applicable regulatory requirements; and (e) the state of affairs of any other business that the person carries on or proposes to carry on. SCHEDULE 3 List A - Changes Requiring Notification by Registrants Registered under section 51(1) of the Act For the purposes of section 56(4) of the Act and by-law 53, a registrant registered under section 51(1) of the Act shall notify the Commission in the approved form of any of the following in relation to the registrant: (a) the presentation of a petition for the winding up of the registrant or the summoning of any meeting to consider such a winding up; (b) the application by another person for the appointment of a receiver, administrator or trustee of the registrant; (c) the appointment of inspectors by a domestic or foreign regulatory authority to investigate the affairs of the registrant; (d) any claims on, or material changes to the indemnity insurance arrangements of the registrant;
948 Securities (General) By-Laws, 2015 (e) any hiring, resignation, dismissal, or retirement of a senior officer, designated person, registered representative or an individual in charge of the operations of any branch office of the registrant, by, or from the registrant and in the case of a dismissal, the reason therefor; (f) where the registrant becomes aware that any of its senior officers or registered representatives has been charged or convicted of fraud or any other offence involving dishonesty; (g) any material breakdown of administrative or control procedures, including breakdowns of computer systems or other problems resulting or likely to result in failure to maintain proper records, and the steps that the registrant proposes to take to correct the problem; (h) the date on which the registrant proposes to cease to carry on business for which registration is required under the Act and the reasons for the cessation; (i) a breach by the registrant of the requirements regarding financial resources, maintenance of any prescribed capital requirement under the Act and these By-laws, books and records and risk management and internal controls, together with details of the steps that it is taking to remedy the breach; (j) any change made to the ending date of the financial year of the registrant; (k) where the registrant has reason to believe that it may be unable to submit financial statements required under the Act and these By-laws within the time specified in the Act or these By-laws; (l) where the registrant has reason to believe that it may be unable to pay its annual renewal fees to the Commission; (m) the failure of any bank or other entity with which the registrant has deposited or to which it has passed client money, and for these purposes “failure” means the appointment of a liquidator, receiver, administrator or trustee in bankruptcy or any equivalent procedure in the relevant jurisdiction; (n) where the registrant is party to any legal proceeding in Trinidad and Tobago or elsewhere, and the actual or contingent claim, or any amount claimed or disputed by, or against the registrant in relation to its business is likely to exceed ten per cent of its financial resources; (o) the opening and closing of any branch office in Trinidad and Tobago, of a person registered under section 51(1) of the Act, and the name of the most senior person responsible for the operations thereof; (p) any change in the registered name, registered address or contact information of the registrant; or (q) any development that poses material risk to the operation of the registrant registered under section 51(1) of the Act. List B–Changes Requiring Notification by Reporting Issuers Registered under section 61(1) of the Act For the purposes of section 56(4) of the Act and by-law 53, a registrant registered under section 61 of the Act shall notify the Commission in the approved form of the following in relation to the reporting issuer: (a) any hiring, resignation, dismissal or retirement of a senior officer or designated person by, or from the reporting issuer and in the case of a dismissal, the reason therefor; (b) the repayment or maturity of, or default of payment on, any security issued by the reporting issuer other than a reporting issuer that is a collective investment scheme; SCHEDULE 3–CONTINUED
Securities (General) By-Laws, 2015 949 (c) any change made to the ending date of the financial year of the reporting issuer; (d) where the reporting issuer has reason to believe that it may be unable to submit financial statements required under the Act and these By-laws within the time specified in the Act or these By-laws; (e) where the reporting issuer is party to any legal proceeding, in Trinidad and Tobago or elsewhere, and the actual or contingent claim, or any amount claimed or disputed by, or against the reporting issuer in relation to its business is likely to exceed ten per cent of its financial resources; (f) any change in the registered name, registered address or contact information of the reporting issuer; or (g) any change in the constituent documents of the reporting issuer. Dated this 23rd day of Febraury, 2015. L. HOWAI Minister of Finance and the Economy SCHEDULE 3–CONTINUED PRINTED BY THE GOVERNMENT PRINTER, CARONI REPUBLIC OF TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO–2015