(a)
Except as provided in paragraph (i) of this section, prior to the opening of a leverage customer account, a leverage transaction merchant soliciting an order for any leverage contract shall furnish to the prospective leverage customer a dated Disclosure Document and receive from such prospective leverage customer a signed and dated copy of the risk disclosure statement contained in such document which acknowledges that the customer received and understood the Disclosure Document. The Disclosure Document shall contain then current information with respect to the leverage contract being offered by the person soliciting the order therefor, and shall contain:
(1)
The following bold-faced risk disclosure statement in at least ten-point type on the first page of the Disclosure Document:
(2)
Immediately following the statement required by paragraph (a)(1) of this section, a section, captioned “Provisions of Leverage Contract” in at least ten point type, containing the terms and conditions of the leverage contract being offered. This information must be provided in the order specified in paragraphs (a)(2) (i) through (xi) of this section, with a clear demarcation or separation between each item according to the paragraph of the section to which it corresponds, and include:
(i)
The duration or expiration date of the leverage contract;
(ii)
The distinguishing characteristics of the contract and of the leverage commodity, including, in particular, those characteristics of the leverage commodity enumerated in § 31.4(g)(1) -(4) of this part;
(iii)
A description of the following charges for each leverage contract:
(iv)
A description of the bid and ask prices of each leverage contract;
(v)
An explanation of the margins applicable to each leverage contract, including, as required, initial margins, minimum margins and maintenance margins;
(vi)
A description of the leverage customer's responsibilities with respect to margin calls, including the timing of such calls and, if applicable, the circumstances under which, time after which, and the order in which the leverage transaction merchant may, consistent with § 31.18 liquidate a customer's position in the leverage contract;
(vii)
A description of the manner in which a leverage customer may seek to have a leverage contract repurchased or resold by the leverage transaction merchant, including an explanation of the procedure to be followed by the leverage transaction merchant to effect such repurchase or resale and the manner in which the repurchase or resale price is determined;
(viii)
A statement to the effect that other persons may be unwilling to buy from the leverage customer the leverage commodity that is deliverable on the leverage contract without first requiring an inspection or assay at the expense of the leverage customer; a statement to the effect that the leverage transaction merchant may be unwilling to accept delivery and pay for such leverage commodity without first requiring an inspection or assay at the expense of the leverage customer; and a description of any other requirements for the delivery of a leverage commodity by a leverage customer to a leverage transaction merchant in connection with a short leverage contract;
(ix)
A clear explanation of any force majeure clauses pertaining to each leverage contract;
(x)
A description of any material risks not included in the statements required by paragraph (a)(1) of this section; and
(xi)
An identification of the commercial or retail cash price series filed in accordance with § 31.6, along with clearly specified premiums and discounts, if applicable, which the leverage customer or prospective leverage customer can use to evaluate a leverage contract and a widely available source from which such price quotes may be obtained on a timely basis.
(3)
A filled-in version of the customer Confirmation Statement in the format specified by the Commission for a representative single long leverage contract and a representative single short leverage contract which includes a formula which can be used to estimate the break-even price.
(4)
(i)
The name, address of the main business office, main business telephone number and form of organization of the leverage transaction merchant. If the address of the main business office is a post office box number, the leverage transaction merchant must state where its books and records will be kept;
(ii)
The name of each principal of the leverage transaction merchant;
(iii)
The business background, for the five years preceding the date of the statement, of:
(A)
The leverage transaction merchant; and
(B)
Each principal of the leverage transaction merchant.
The leverage transaction merchant must include in the description of the business background of each such person the name and main business of that person's employers, business associations or business ventures and the nature of the person's duties performed for the employers or in connection with the associations or ventures.
(5)
(i)
A statement whether any principal of the leverage transaction merchant has entered into or intends to enter into long or short leverage contracts for his own account and, if so, whether leverage customers will be permitted to inspect the records of that person's trades; and
(ii)
If principals of the leverage transaction merchant will not enter into or do not intend to enter into long or short leverage contracts for their own account, the leverage transaction merchant must so state with respect to each principal.
(6)
(i)
Any material administrative or civil action involving any activity or conduct, or related to any statute, set forth in sections 8a(2) or 8a(3) of the Act, or any material criminal action brought within the five years preceding the date of the document against the leverage transaction merchant or any principal of the leverage transaction merchant; and
(ii)
If there has been no such action against any of the foregoing persons, the leverage transaction merchant must make a statement to that effect with respect to each such person.
(b)
(1)
If the leverage transaction merchant knows or should know that the Disclosure Document is materially inaccurate or incomplete in any respect, it must correct that defect and must distribute the correction to:
(i)
All existing leverage customers within 30 calendar days after the date upon which the leverage transaction merchant first knows or has reason to know of the defect; and
(ii)
Each prospective leverage customer prior to opening an account for such person.
The leverage transaction merchant may furnish the correction by means of an amended document, a sticker on the document, a notice in a monthly statement or by other similar means.
(2)
The leverage transaction merchant may not use the document until such correction is made.
(c)
The leverage transaction merchant must date each document and amendment thereto as of the date it is first used.
(d)
Subject to the provisions of paragraph (b) of this section, all information contained in the document must be current as of the date of the document.
(e)
(1)
The leverage transaction merchant must file with the National Futures Association three copies and with the Commission at its Washington, DC headquarters, Attn: Secretariat, one copy of the document for each leverage contract that it offers or that it intends to offer not less than 21 calendar days prior to the date the leverage transaction merchant first intends to furnish the document to a prospective leverage customer. The leverage transaction merchant must specify with the filing the date it first intends to deliver the document to a prospective leverage customer;
(2)
Subject to paragraphs (h) and (m) of this section, the leverage transaction merchant must file with the National Futures Association three copies and with the Commission at its Washington, DC headquarters, Attn: Secretariat, one copy of all subsequent amendments to the document for each leverage contract that it offers or that it intends to offer within 30 calendar days after the date upon which the leverage transaction merchant first knows or has reason to know of the defect requiring the amendment.
(f)
This section does not relieve a leverage transaction merchant from any obligation under the Act or the regulations thereunder, including the obligation to disclose all material information to existing or prospective leverage customers even if the information is not specifically required by this section.
(g)
If any contract term set forth in accordance with paragraph (a)(2) of this section provides that such term is subject to change, the leverage transaction merchant must ensure that this fact, the conditions under which the change may take place, and the foreseeable consequences of the change are clearly stated in the Disclosure Document, in describing that contract term.
(h)
A leverage transaction merchant must transmit a notification to each leverage customer within 24 hours of making any change not otherwise permitted under the contract terms set forth in accordance with paragraph (a)(2) of this section. A notification of any change in the interest rate charged by the leverage transaction merchant must also be transmitted to each leverage customer within twenty-four hours of each change: Provided, however, That no notification is required if the change in interest rate is one percent or less as compared to the rate charged at the prior month-end and the new interest rate is made available to customers by means of a toll-free telephone call, and such availability is set forth in the Disclosure Document. The notification required by this paragraph must be transmitted by first class mail or other, at least equivalent, means of communication.
(i)
A person soliciting or accepting an order for a leverage contract is not required to deliver a Disclosure Document leverage to a leverage customer, as required by paragraph (a) of this section, if a disclosure document meeting all of the requirements of this section previously has been delivered by the person to the leverage customer: Provided, however, That such a Disclosure Document must be delivered:
(1)
Upon the request of a leverage customer, or
(2)
If the previously delivered Disclosure Document has become outdated or has become inaccurate in any material respect.
(j)
Prior to the entry into a leverage contract, the person soliciting the order therefor shall inform the leverage customer or the prospective leverage customer, to the extent these amounts are known or can reasonably be approximated, of all charges for the initiation, carrying and termination of a leverage contract and the leverage transaction merchant's bid-ask spread on the leverage contract as set forth in paragraph (a)(2)(iii) and (a)(2)(iv), respectively, of this section and the margins applicable to such contracts as set forth in paragraph (a)(2)(v) and (a)(2)(vi) of this section.
(k)
(1)
Not later than the next business day after the entry into a long leverage contract with a customer, each leverage transaction merchant shall furnish to such customer, by first-class mail or other, at least equivalent, means of communication, a written Confirmation Statement in a format specified by the Commission containing:
(i)
For a leverage customer's first leverage transaction, the following bold-faced statement in at least ten-point type:
(ii)
For every leverage transaction, the following information:
(A)
The date the leverage contract was entered into;
(B)
The transaction identification number;
(C)
The name of the leverage commodity;
(D)
The expiration date of the leverage contract;
(E)
The total cost of the leverage contracts covered in the Confirmation Statement, which equals the leverage transaction merchant's ask price in dollars per unit multiplied by the number of units multiplied by the number of contracts;
(F)
The total unpaid balance for this transaction;
(G)
The total initial charges for the transaction;
(H)
The total initial margin for the transaction, in dollars and as a percentage of the contract price;
(I)
The total amount due (or paid) to initiate the transaction, which equals the total initial charges plus the total initial margin in dollars;
(J)
The current equity in the individual customer's account as of the date of this transaction, but excluding this transaction;
(K)
The total variable carrying charges to be billed each period, in dollars and as an annual percentage rate, based on the carrying charge rate prevailing at the time the contract is entered into;
(L)
The total bid/ask spread, based on prices prevailing at the time the contract is entered into;
(M)
The total termination charges incurred if the contract is repurchased, liquidated by the leverage transaction merchant or settled by delivery, based on charges prevailing at the time the contract is entered into;
(N)
Any other charges associated with terminating the transaction, based on charges prevailing at the time the contract is entered into;
(O)
Any special charges associated with liquidating the transaction, based on charges prevailing at the time the contract is entered into;
(P)
The total delivery charges incurred if the customer takes delivery on the contract, based on charges prevailing at the time the contract is entered into;
(Q)
The following formula enabling a customer to calculate the estimated total contract value to break-even: Initial contract value plus the bid-ask spread plus the intitial charges plus any other charges plus the termination charges plus the carrying charges for the period the contract is intended to be held open;
(R)
The total minimum margin, in dollars and as a percentage of contract price, based on the rate prevailing at the time the contract is entered into;
(S)
The total maintenance margin, in dollars and as a percentage of contract price, based on the rate prevailing at the time the contract is entered into;
(T)
The commercial or retail cash price series filed in accordance with § 31.6 available to the leverage customer to evaluate the leverage contract (including any applicable premiums or discounts), and where quotes of this series can be obtained on a timely basis; and
(2)
Not later than the next business day after entry into a short leverage contract with a customer, each leverage transaction merchant shall furnish to such customer by first-class mail or other, at least equivalent, means of communication, a written Confirmation Statement in a format specified by the Commission containing:
(i)
For a leverage customer's first leverage transaction, the following bold-faced statement in at least ten-point type:
(ii)
For every leverage transaction, the following information:
(A)
The date the leverage contract was entered into;
(B)
The transaction identification number;
(C)
The name of the leverage commodity;
(D)
The expiration date of the leverage contract;
(E)
The total cost of the leverage contracts covered in the Confirmation Statement, which equals the leverage transaction merchant's bid price in dollars per unit multiplied by the number of units multiplied by the number of contracts;
(F)
The total initial charges for the transaction;
(G)
The total initial margin for the transaction, in dollars and as a percentage of the contract price;
(H)
The total amount due (or paid) to initiate the transaction, which equals the total initial charges plus the total initial margin in dollars;
(I)
The current equity in the individual customer's account as of the date of this transaction, but excluding this transaction;
(J)
The total variable carrying charges to be credited each period, in dollars and as an annual percentage rate, based on the carrying charge rate prevailing at the time the contract is entered into;
(K)
The total bid/ask spread, based on prices prevailing at the time the contract is entered into;
(L)
The total termination charges incurred if the contract is resold, liquidated by the leverage transaction merchant or settled by delivery, based on charges prevailing at the time the contract is entered into;
(M)
Any other charges associated with terminating the transaction, based on charges prevailing at the time the contract is entered into;
(N)
Any special charges associated with liquidating the transaction, based on charges prevailing at the time the contract is entered into;
(O)
The total delivery (including assay) charges incurred if the customer makes delivery on the contract, based on charges prevailing at the time the contract is entered into;
(P)
The following formula enabling a customer to calculate the estimated total contract value to break-even: Initial contract value plus carrying charges for the period the contract is intended to be held open, minus the bid-ask spread, minus the initial charges, minus any other charges, minus the termination charges;
(Q)
The total minimum margin, in dollars and as a percentage of contract price, based on the rate prevailing at the time the contract is entered into;
(R)
The total maintenance margin, in dollars and as a percentage of contract price, based on the rate prevailing at the time the contract is entered into;
(S)
The commercial or retail cash price series filed in accordance with § 31.6 available to the leverage customer to evaluate the leverage contract (including any applicable premiums or discounts), and where quotes of this series can be obtained on a timely basis.
(l)
Each leverage transaction merchant shall furnish, upon request, by first-class mail or other generally accepted means of communication, to all leverage customers with open leverage contracts and to prospective leverage customers who are being solicited to enter leverage contracts with it, a true copy of portions of the quarterly unaudited or annual audited financial statement most recently filed with the Commission pursuant to § 31.13, except that the portions of those statements which will generally be accorded non-public treatment by the Commission need not be so furnished.
(m)
(1)
Notwithstanding any other provision in this section, if a leverage transaction merchant is not offering to enter into, entering into or confirming the execution of, soliciting or accepting a leverage customer's order for, or accepting any leverage customer funds from a leverage customer to enter into or maintain any short leverage contract, the leverage transaction merchant may delete or disregard references to short leverage contracts in its Disclosure Document as follows:
(i)
The third sentence of the first paragraph of the required bold-faced risk disclosure statement in paragraph (a)(1) of this section;
(ii)
The words “and a short leverage transaction” in the fourth sentence of the first paragraph of the required bold-faced risk disclosure statement in paragraph (a)(1) of this section;
(iii)
The words “and leverage contracts sold to a leverage transaction merchant are re-established at the then prevailing ask price” in the fifth sentence of the third paragraph of the required bold-faced risk disclosure statement in paragraph (a)(1) of this section;
(iv)
The second sentence of the fifth paragraph of the required bold-faced risk disclosure statement in paragraph (a)(1) of this section;
(v)
The words “or resold to” in the first sentence of the sixth paragraph of the required bold-faced risk disclosure statement in paragraph (a)(1) of this section;
(vi)
The words “or resell,” “and must also offer to resell any short leverage contract previously sold by a leverage customer,” and “or short” in the second sentence of the sixth paragraph of the required bold-faced risk disclosure statement in paragraph (a)(1) of this section;
(vii)
The words “or resold” and “or resale” (twice) in paragraph (a)(2)(vii) of this section;
(viii)
All of the words following the first semicolon in paragraph (a)(2)(viii) of this section;
(ix)
The words “and a representative single short leverage contract” in paragraph (a)(3) of this section; and
(x)
The words “or short” in paragraphs (a)(5)(i) and (a)(5)(ii) of this section.
(2)
Any leverage transaction merchant using a Disclosure Document that deletes or disregards references to short leverage contracts as permitted by paragraph (m)(1) of this section must file, in accordance with the provisions of paragraph (e)(2) of this section, a new Disclosure Document meeting all of the requirements of paragraphs (a) through (i) of this section at least 30 calendar days before it begins to offer any short leverage contract.
Code of Federal Regulations
(Secs. 8a(5) and 19 of the Commodity Exchange Act, as amended,
7 U.S.C. 12a(5) and 23
(1982))
Code of Federal Regulations
[49 FR 5532, Feb. 13, 1984; 49 FR 25427, June 21, 1984, as amended at 50 FR 29, Jan. 2, 1985; 50 FR 36415, Sept. 6, 1985; 54 FR 41080, Oct. 5, 1989; 54 FR 46503, Nov. 3, 1989]