SEC Asks Securities Industry to Prowl Records

Published October 11, 2001, 1:00 a.m. EDT

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As part of a broad government investigation into the terrorist acts of Sept. 11, the Securities and Exchange Commission has asked that all securities-related entities -- regardless of whether they are registered with the SEC -- voluntarily check their records for any relationships or transactions with the individuals and organizations named in a presidential order or suspect list provided by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

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The move comes after President Bush on Sept. 23 signed an executive order freezing U.S. assets of and blocking transactions with 27 individuals and organizations and the FBI published a list of those under investigation in connection with the World Trade Center and Pentagon attacks,

The SEC is also asking firms handling securities to advise any foreign subsidiaries and affiliates of the request. If foreign subsidiaries or affiliates identify any responsive information, then ask the securities-related entities to notify the SEC in the manner described above, so that they may take appropriate steps to obtain the information. The List of individuals and entities can be found here .

The SECs request applies to brokers, dealers, investment advisers, investment companies, municipal securities dealers, transfer agents, and others. If a firm knows of any relationship, such as an account, or a transaction, such as the purchase or sale of securities or a wire transfer, with any of the individuals or organizations on this list, the SEC has asked executives to contact them via email at

Enf-Search@sec.gov

. Include the phrase, "Enf-Search Request" in the subject heading. The SEC can also be reached via conventional mail at: United States Securities and Exchange Commission, 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549-0801, Attn: Executive Order Records Search.