NASD Notice to Members 98-102 - December 1998

Calculating Margin for Day-Trading and Cross-Guaranteed Accounts

Executive Summary

Federal Reserve Board Regulation T governs the extension of credit to customers by broker/dealers. Among the provisions of Regulation T are requirements governing the initial margin requirements for certain securities transactions. In addition, National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. (NASD®) Rule 2520 requires NASD members to impose additional margin requirements on customer accounts. The purpose of this Notice is to communicate the opinion of the NASD on the margin requirements under Regulation T and Rule 2520 for day-trading and cross-guaranteed accounts with the expectation that members will calculate margin for such accounts in a manner that is consistent with Regulation T and Rule 2520.