FAQs

If I want to contribute to my qualified SunAmerica Trust Company IRA, to whom should I make the check payable?
SunAmerica Trust Company
 
If I want to contribute to my qualified Pershing IRA, to whom should I make the check payable?
Pershing
 
If I want to contribute to my non-qualified brokerage account, to whom should I make the check payable?
Royal Alliance
 
If I need to request money out of my brokerage account, how do you process this request?
If the amount of money is readily available, we can request the check the day you need it if it is before 1:30pm. Checks go out regular mail unless indicated otherwise. A $12 fee applies for overnight delivery and a federal wire is $20.
 
What if the money I need exceeds what I have available in cash?
If the amount that you need exceeds what is available in cash, we will need to redeem securities in your account. This will take 4 business days from the day you call and tell us you need the money.
 
Our clearing firm is Pershing LLC. What is a clearing firm?
A clearing firm is an organization that works with the exchanges to handle confirmation, delivery and settlement of transactions. Such corporations play a key role in ensuring that executed trades are settled within a specified period of time and in an efficient manner. They are also called a clearing corporation or clearing house.
 
Our broker dealer is Royal Alliance. What is a broker-dealer?
Any individual or firm in the business of buying and selling securities for itself and others. Broker-dealers must register with the SEC and are also members of the NASD and SIPC. When acting as a broker, a broker-dealer executes orders on behalf of his/her client. When acting as a dealer, a broker-dealer executes trades for his/her firm's own account. Securities bought for the firm's own account may be sold to clients or other firms, or become a part of the firm's holdings.
 
What does SEC stand for?
Securities and Exchange Commission. The primary federal regulatory agency for the securities industry, whose responsibility is to promote full disclosure and to protect investors against fraudulent and manipulative practices in the securities markets.
 
What does SIPC stand for?
Securities Investor Protection Corporation. A non-profit membership corporation established by Congress which insures securities and cash in customer accounts up to $500,000 (up to $100,000 on cash) in the event of brokerage bankruptcy. The SIPC is funded by all of its member securities broker/dealers. While it insures the account in the event that a brokerage runs out of funds to cover its claims, it does not insure against investment losses.
 
What does NASD stand for?
National Association of Securities Dealers. A self regulatory securities industry organization responsible for the operation and regulation of the NASDAQ stock market. The NASD investigates complaints against member firms and tries to ensure that all of its members adhere to both its own standards and those laid out by the SEC. The NASD has the power to expel its members from an exchange in the case of wrongdoing, but it cannot take legal action against a member other than by reporting it to the SEC. The association is run by a Board that takes half of its representatives from the securities industry and half from the public.