Dear Client:
Thornes & Associates, Inc. Investment Securities (Thornes & Associates) is a fully disclosed broker-dealer that maintains your account.
NASD Rule 3510 requires each member firm to create and maintain a business continuity plan. In accordance with these rules Thornes & Associates has developed a plan to ensure that business continues to run uninterrupted during business emergencies.
The plan is designed to address key areas of concern including but not limited to the following:
- Books and records recovery;
- All mission critical systems;
- Financial and operational assessments;
- Alternate means of communication between Thornes & Associates and its customers;
- Alternate means of communication between Thornes & Associates and its employees;
- Alternate physical locations of employees;
- Critical business constituent, bank and counter-party impact;
- Regulatory reporting;
- Communications with regulators; and
- How Thornes & Associates will ensure that all customers have access to their funds and securities in the event Thornes & Associates determines it is unable to continue its business.
Events creating a disruption of business may vary in nature. They could affect only Thornes & Associates, affect the building where Thornes & Associates is located, affect the entire business district where Thornes & Associates is located, result in a citywide disruption, or result in a regional disruption. Thornes & Associates fully intends to continue to conduct its securities business during these periods of business disruption ranging from disruptions that only affect Thornes & Associates to disruptions that have regional impact.
To address disruptions affecting Thornes & Associates and the location(s) in which the firm conducts its business, arrangements have been made with organizations and facilities to supply a physical location as well as key technology infrastructure in an area that does not share power grids with the affected location, affording Thornes & Associates the opportunity to relocate its key employees and critical information technology systems to provide services for its clients.
To address citywide and regional business disruptions, Thornes & Associates has contracted with vendors to supply Thornes & Associates alternate office space and access to critical technology in cities and regions that differ from the affected area. Thornes & Associates intends to take advantage of this and employ the use of these facilities and affiliates which are located in other cities or regions of the country.
Please be advised that business continuity plans are subject to change and modification. Thornes & Associates intends to update and test its business continuity plans as business conditions and technology change.
In the event of a business emergency, you may contact First Clearing Corp at 1-800-727-0304 to access information regarding your account, provide order information to execute transactions or if you have any questions or concerns.
Should you have any questions concerning our business continuity plan, you may submit a written request for additional information to our Customer Service Department located at P.O. Box 2130, Redlands CA 92373 or contact us at 909-335-7440. |
