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Final Ops Newsletter June 16

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<strong>June</strong> 20<strong>16</strong><br />

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Inside This Issue:<br />

What’s new in Desktop Integration<br />

Did You Know?<br />

Registration Changes<br />

Money Market Reform<br />

American Funds Fees<br />

New Branch Openings<br />

Trust Certifications<br />

eQuest Improvements<br />

T+1 Update<br />

Address Changes and Households<br />

New Stifel EMV Chip Cards<br />

Mutual Fund 529 Updates<br />

Have You Met?<br />

Advisory Account Info<br />

Traveling this summer?<br />

Don’t forget to let<br />

Money Funds know so<br />

they can code<br />

your account!<br />

A Message from Miranda Miller…<br />

“Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much” (Helen<br />

Keller) is one of my favorite quotes. Through my last 18 years at<br />

Stifel, this quote has proven time and time again to be true. As<br />

Stifel continues to grow, teamwork is one of the most important<br />

secrets to the sauce that makes us the “Firm of<br />

Choice”. Continuously working to improve the platforms our<br />

branch personnel and clients utilize is one of our top priorities, but<br />

we realize this is not something that one can do alone. It takes<br />

the coordination, communication, and teamwork of many to<br />

accomplish. When working towards an enhancement, we focus<br />

on communicating closely with branch personnel to review, pilot,<br />

and provide important feedback. We also talk to many different<br />

advisors, support personnel, friends, and clients that have diverse<br />

backgrounds to stay competitive and knowledgeable. This best<br />

practice has allowed Stifel to deliver great platforms and<br />

enhancements. As you scan through the <strong>Ops</strong> newsletter, look for<br />

some helpful guides on how to utilize our current platforms as well<br />

as announcements of new features coming your way soon.<br />

Miranda Miller<br />

Director<br />

Stifel Desktop Integration<br />

and Entitlements &<br />

Access Control<br />

Operations <strong>Newsletter</strong> – Issue 9


Hot on the heels of the new Thomson One Advisor Workstation rollout which was recently<br />

completed, Desktop Integration has already begun to rollout the next new version of Thomson<br />

One. No need to be concerned. The changes are not as significant as the previous upgrade.<br />

This upgrade’s new features include a heat map “Winners/Losers” button which will organize your<br />

flex monitor into the 10 highest winners and losers so that you can very quickly see your securities<br />

with the most significant change.<br />

Page 11<br />

Page 3<br />

In addition to this upgrade, there are minor usability improvements and additional compatibility<br />

which will allow the firm to upgrade to Internet Explorer 11. The upgrade is going very smoothly<br />

with over 1500 users upgraded and should be completed by mid-<strong>June</strong>.<br />

The Stifel Access team is also working on several new projects to enhance usability to Stifel clients.<br />

In addition to features such as group level holdings views, we are also working on projects to<br />

increase the number of accounts visible to clients and also the ability to “tag” multiple Client IDs<br />

on the same machine. We look forward to rolling these new features out over the next several<br />

months.<br />

You can find an associate’s email address from their first or last name? When you open a<br />

new email, just type the name into the ‘To…’ field. On your keyboard press (Ctrl and K at the<br />

same time) and the email addresses associated with that name will come up. If the first or last<br />

name is not unique, all names matching that criteria will be displayed to choose from.<br />

Volume 2, Issue 1 ● Operations <strong>Newsletter</strong><br />

Volume 1, Issue 4 ● Operations <strong>Newsletter</strong><br />

2


What does the term “Registration Change” mean in the advisory world? Advisory Operations uses the<br />

term when ownership has continued from one account to another, but the account number needed to<br />

change. A Registration Change, in our world, is offered for the sole purpose of continuing<br />

performance. Below are a few examples. These examples are for illustration purposes only and are not<br />

an exhaustive list of possible scenarios!<br />

· Single-name account moves to a single-name trust<br />

· IRA is re-characterized to a Roth IRA<br />

When it has been determined that a Registration Change can be processed, Advisory Account<br />

Processing will:<br />

· Look for the Registration Form: Portal > Operations > Advisory Operations > Forms > Changes and<br />

Maintenance > Registration Change Form OR by clicking:<br />

http://portal.stifel.com/Operations/advisoryoperations/Pages/Changes-and-Maintenance.aspx<br />

· Watch for ALL assets to move from the old account to the new account – Note that performance<br />

can only be continued if all assets move from the old account into the one new account<br />

· Verify that no changes have taken place, i.e., program change, manager change or portfolio<br />

change – the features must be identical from the old account to the new account<br />

· Apply the paperwork from the old account to the new account, assuming all of the same<br />

signatories are in place OR new paperwork is not needed<br />

. If new paperwork is needed (which may be the case, depending on the scenario), the FA and<br />

Branch Manager will need to approve, as the paperwork will come directly into Advisory Account<br />

Processing with the Registration Form, and be processed outside of eQuest<br />

· Continue performance – historical performance from the old account will be carried over to the<br />

new account<br />

· Terminate management in the old account, and set up the new account in the same program,<br />

notifying the third-party, if applicable<br />

· IMPORTANT: All of the above needs to be ready to go for the registration change to be processed,<br />

i.e., within 24 hours. If not ready, then regular processes will be followed – terminate old account,<br />

set up new account upon receipt of applicable forms/paperwork through eQuest, performance<br />

will not continue<br />

Here are a few examples of changes that would NOT qualify as a Registration Change:<br />

· Deceased IRA moving to the beneficiary IRA<br />

· Business account moving to a single-name account<br />

If a Registration Change cannot take place, Advisory Account Processing will:<br />

· Terminate the old advisory account immediately. If the client wishes the new account to become<br />

advisory, an eQuest work request will need to be processed. The new account’s performance will<br />

have a new performance start date.<br />

For questions, contact Advisory Account Processing at CSAccountProcessing@stifel.com, or by phone at<br />

extension 8456.<br />

3


In our last Operations <strong>Newsletter</strong>,<br />

we outlined the recent regulatory<br />

changes that could impact<br />

money market funds. If you<br />

missed it, please see page 11 of<br />

the March newsletter found here.<br />

We are working diligently to<br />

ensure our money market<br />

offerings are compliant with<br />

these regulations and to minimize<br />

the impact to you and your<br />

clients. Be on the lookout over<br />

the next few months for<br />

important announcements and<br />

client communications explaining<br />

these changes.<br />

Please call the Cash<br />

Management Products team at<br />

(314)342-7443 if you have any<br />

questions regarding money<br />

market reform, money market<br />

funds, or industry news.<br />

The last quarterly cycle will end in May payable in<br />

<strong>June</strong>. For FA’s still interested in receiving the<br />

American Funds Advisor Asset Statements they will<br />

be available on DST Vision by clicking the 12b-1<br />

Advisor Statement link on the Management<br />

Company Assets page. The statements provide<br />

on-going compensation details for eligible assets<br />

held directly with the American Funds.<br />

WELCOME TO STIFEL:<br />

Sioux Falls, SD – March 30 th<br />

Stockton, CA – May 12 th<br />

Jacksonville, FL – May 19 th<br />

Operations would like to give special recognition to two associates<br />

celebrating a milestone anniversary with Stifel.<br />

Please join us in congratulating<br />

Vicki Brinker, Managing Director of Operations, and<br />

Kim Ray, Director of Margins, Money Funds and Risk Management<br />

on their 40 th anniversary with Stifel Operations.<br />

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Why is this document so<br />

important for Advisory<br />

Accounts?<br />

Advisory paperwork needs to be signed by the applicable authority, i.e., account owners, appointed<br />

corporate officer(s), ERISA plan representative(s) and trust Trustees. For Trusts, Advisory Account Processors will<br />

be looking for the Trust Certification (TRCT) on OnBase. This document shows not only who is authorized to sign<br />

for the Trust (and if the Trustees may or may not act alone), but also shows IF the Trust allows for third-party<br />

management. That is important! If the account is giving discretion to a third-party manager (either internal or<br />

external), the Trust Certification must indicate that the trust allows a third-party to act. The reason for rejection<br />

will be in the AUDIT field, stating that the Trust Certification indicated that third-party management is not<br />

allowed.<br />

Many of you have come to Stifel’s shores from other firms, and the accounts were “grandfathered” into<br />

advisory without Trust Certifications. Your former firm may have only required the Trust to be on file, but NOT a<br />

Trust Certification. However, Stifel Advisory Operations requires Trust Certifications to be on file! Going forward,<br />

if this “grandfathered” account now needs to go through a change, i.e., portfolio, manager or program<br />

change, the Trust Certification will need to be on file. If no Trust Certification is on file, the work request will be<br />

rejected. The reason for rejection will be in the AUDIT field, indicating that no Trust Certification is on file.<br />

Points to remember:<br />

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Advisory trust accounts should have a Trust Certification on file – DOCA code, TRCT<br />

The Trust Certification shows a summary of the powers of the trust, including the important issue of<br />

whether or not the Trust allows third-party management.<br />

The Trust Certification shows WHO is authorized to sign paperwork, and if the Trustees may or may not<br />

act alone.<br />

For those advisory trust accounts that do not have a Trust Certification on file, please obtain one to<br />

prevent the account from being rejected for advisory set-up!<br />

For questions, contact Advisory Account Processing by phone at 314-342-8456, or by e-mail at<br />

CSAccountProcessing@stifel.com.<br />

Watch for important email announcements coming this summer<br />

eQuest<br />

Enhanced Look and Feel, coming soon! (ETA July 20<strong>16</strong>)<br />

• Significant improvements are being made to the<br />

look, feel and responsiveness of the application.<br />

o<br />

o<br />

o<br />

Grid display and<br />

buttons have been<br />

redesigned<br />

Warnings, errors,<br />

messages will be<br />

easier to read.<br />

Audit, document, and<br />

workflow information<br />

is being repositioned<br />

to the top of the<br />

page.<br />

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Mutual Funds have moved to a standard T+1 settlement. For almost 2 months over 250<br />

Mutual Fund companies’ transactions have been processed with an automatic T+1<br />

settlement and the results have been fantastic. The process of having to mark trades with T+1<br />

notes and Special Instructions has all but vanished.<br />

Page<br />

Unfortunately there are still a small number of Mutual Fund transactions which will require the<br />

override if T+1 is needed. These will include all transactions for First Investors and some<br />

Alliance Bernstein, Invesco, and Janus Funds. There are also a few Funds that will not allow T<br />

+1 and will always settle T+3. These include CGM and some of the Integrity Funds. See the<br />

Trading Exceptions List on Stifelnet at http://portal.stifel.com/Operations/MutualFund<strong>Ops</strong>/<br />

Pages/Funds-Family-Trade-Settlements.aspx for continued exceptions.<br />

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Mutual Fund <strong>Ops</strong> 529 Plan Account Opening Reminders<br />

If Stifel is broker dealer on the 529 plan and a shell account is needed to network,<br />

please choose yes to “Does this Plan Exist at the Fund?”<br />

The yes choice also determines which required Stifel documents are generated<br />

through eQuest.<br />

Once the account is approved by the FA and Branch Manager and the client has<br />

signed where applicable, submit all paperwork including the original 529 plan<br />

application (or applicable fund paperwork) to the MF <strong>Ops</strong> 529 Team.<br />

Always choose “held away” for Account Type.<br />

Retain the original Stifel documents in the branch client file along with a copy of the<br />

529 Plan application and check (remember, the originals should be sent to 529 <strong>Ops</strong>).<br />

Step by Step eQuest Instructions can also be found on Stifel Portal at http://<br />

portal.stifel.com/Operations/MutualFund<strong>Ops</strong>/Pages/Step-by-Step-eQuest-Instructions.aspx<br />

Mutual Fund <strong>Ops</strong> 529 Plan Changes Reminders<br />

The Missouri MOST 529 Advisor College Savings Plan no longer exists as of May 6, 20<strong>16</strong>. If you<br />

had the MOST Advisor 529 Plan and did not roll it to another Advisor 529 plan prior to May 6,<br />

20<strong>16</strong>, the accounts are now direct only. Clients should have received packets from MOST<br />

with their new direct account number(s) and new account information.<br />

Alliance Bernstein will no longer manage and administer the Rhode Island College Bound<br />

Fund 529 Advisor Plan and the plan will no longer be using the DST Vision platform. Invesco<br />

will be taking over as plan manager in July and Ascensus will be the record keeper on the<br />

529 Quickview platform.<br />

The Dashboard Reports offer the ability to include Goal Based Return for a client? To include this<br />

you will need to set up a Custom Benchmark. For help setting up a custom benchmark you can<br />

get step by step instructions here:<br />

http://portal.stifel.com/Operations/clientservices/Pages/Dashboard.aspx and select Dashboard<br />

How To – Set a Custom Benchmark.<br />

8


Carl Wessling, Security Transfer Sr. Team Lead, will be celebrating<br />

his 10 year anniversary with Stifel this year. The Security Transfer<br />

department transfers certificates into street name, makes them<br />

eligible for sale, corrects registrations and removes<br />

restrictions. For TODs, they process the paperwork completed by<br />

the client to convert an account into a TOD account and<br />

ultimately process distribution paperwork upon the TOD account<br />

holder’s death.<br />

Although Carl likes the unique aspects and opportunities of his<br />

day to day job, what he likes the most is the work<br />

environment because the people are friendly and helpful. If<br />

asked, he would share with a new employee that they should<br />

be willing to learn as many new things as possible.<br />

Carl Wessling<br />

Senior Team Lead<br />

Security Transfer<br />

Carl is a huge Cardinals fan and enjoys attending their<br />

games. He has attended each Cardinal home opener since<br />

1997. He also enjoys traveling and says that Key West is his<br />

favorite destination as he has vacationed there every<br />

November for the last 10 years.<br />

Have you met…<br />

Shelley Kertz, New Accounts Sr. Team Lead, joined the Stifel<br />

team almost 8 years ago. The New Accounts department<br />

assists the branches in account opening, account changes,<br />

customer verification, document review, returned mail issues,<br />

new recruit account processing, and ensuring that accounts<br />

are set up accurately to comply with the various regulatory<br />

rules and Stifel policies.<br />

Although Shelley likes the variety of functions and challenges<br />

her job brings daily, what she likes best is the camaraderie. She<br />

feels that the people she works with are not just co-workers but<br />

friends as well. The advice she would give to a new associate is<br />

to always understand what you are doing and why it’s needed.<br />

The more you expand your knowledge base, the further you<br />

can go.<br />

During Shelley’s time away from Stifel, she enjoys spending time<br />

with her husband and 3 kids. They spend a lot of time outdoors<br />

attending sporting events, such as soccer, cheer, and t-ball, as<br />

well as taking hikes or relaxing on the beach. They also serve in<br />

their community doing outreach and special projects with their<br />

church.<br />

Shelley Kertz<br />

Senior Team Lead<br />

New Accounts<br />

9


ERISA accounts, Profit Sharing Plans (PSP), 401(k) accounts now need more<br />

documentation on file before the account may be coded as advisory!<br />

These account types must have the QPCT, Qualified Plan Certification, document on file:<br />

To indicate who the Plan’s Trustees are, and how many signatures are needed for<br />

authorizations on the plan’s behalf<br />

To indicate if a plan participant (for segregated FBO accounts only) is able to direct<br />

the investments within the account<br />

Submit this form to New Accounts for imaging to the account, under DOCA code,<br />

QPCT<br />

These account types must also have the ERAD, FA Application to Conduct ERISA Advisory<br />

Business, on file:<br />

ERISA standards say that FAs must provide advisory clients comprehensive, continuous<br />

and prudent investment advice<br />

FAs must meet certain requirements prior to conducting fee-based advisory business<br />

This form shows what qualifications the FA has in place in order to conduct ERISA<br />

advisory business<br />

Submit this form to Tina Morales, Consulting Services Marketing. Tina will then obtain<br />

the sign-offs by Consulting Services, Retirement Plans and Compliance, and then she<br />

will image to the account, under DOCA code, ERAD<br />

If BOTH of these forms are not on file at the time the advisory work request comes through,<br />

Advisory Account Processing must reject the work request back to the branch. The request<br />

can then be resubmitted for processing once both forms are in good order, and on file.<br />

For questions regarding these two forms and what they mean for advisory business can be<br />

directed to the Advisory Product Groups!<br />

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